Good News - Spring 2021

A quarterly update designed to share news, tell stories, inspire creativity, and most importantly - make you smile. 

photo of bethel woods historic field

Despite the uncertainty of 2020, your unwavering support for what we do made it a year we will never forget. 

A new year brings fresh opportunity, and we're looking forward to welcoming you back to the historic site this spring.  But before we move forward, we're taking a moment to look back. We've designed this update to bring you a bit of joy and show you how your patronage has helped sustain us. Thank YOU!

You have allowed us to...

...quite literally, keep the lights on!

Nine months of planning, seven weeks of all-hands-on-deck production, a quarter of a million bulbs, and steadfast enthusiasm from our community helped us to present our first-ever drive-thru light show Peace, Love & Lights. We hope you had a chance to explore the one-mile loop throughout our historic grounds, but if not, check out the short recap below. We are so excited to bring the light show back - bigger and better in 2021!

boy looking out of a car during peace love and lights
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...continue offering art therapy-based programming!

The Art of Wellness, facilitated by Candace Rivela, a Board Certified, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, was designed to combat the impact the COVID-19 crisis has had on the physical and mental well-being of individuals.  The series creates opportunities for you to practice optimal well-being in body and mind. To learn more and find a class to enjoy, please click here.

Unable to attend? See below for a video led by Candace, demonstrating the healing power of the arts. Explore how you to respond to sound and what can be created when listening to music.

candace thumnbail
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...provide ground-breaking learning opportunities to young people who are passionate about what we do!

We are excited to welcome two new members to our Museum team!

Ele Hein comes aboard as our first-ever Landscape Preservation Fellow. She will work closely with the rest of the team to uncover the secrets of our historic site and interpret the landscape for all our visitors. Read more about Ele's work here.

David Gain is our spring graduate intern. He will assist with collecting and interpreting new oral histories, contributing to the preservation of individual Woodstock stories for generations to come. He recently wrote for our blog about what he's learned in talking to Woodstock attendees. Check it out here!

eli and david

The 2021-22 Fellowship is funded in part by the A. Lindsay and Olive B. O’Connor Foundation and through in-kind support by Bethel Woods. A campaign to raise funds for the current and future Fellowship is ongoing.

...make The Museum more accessible and available!

Introducing: Sensory-Friendly Museum Days

Happening the second Saturday of each month, individuals of all ages with autism, complex developmental disabilities, or sensory sensitivities are welcome to experience our specially-revised Main Exhibit, gift shop, and cafe during reserved early-morning hours before the museum opens to the general public.

Expanding: Explore the 1960s Online!

Explore museum education and creative learning programs designed to bring the lessons of the Sixties to life as students discover themes of individual expression, social consciousness, cultural engagement, empowerment, and inspiration.  Each field trip includes a teacher planning consultation, customized pre and post virtual visit activities, and resources for continued exploration and learning.

Funding for Museum Education and Creative Programs is provided by Bethel Woods members and donors and through generous support from foundations, individuals and agencies including: The American Gift Fund, Annelise Gerry and Family, Robyn Gerry, Nellie and Robert Gipson of the Tianaderrah Foundation, the William and Elaine Kaplan Family Foundations, the Rhulen Loughlin Family -- in memory of Trevor John Loughlin, and TD Charitable Foundation.

Thank you for your support yesterday, today, and always.

You help sustain us by funding programs, preservation, and presentation efforts. With each passing year, it is clear that the most significant part of our story is the people who have touched our organization.  

Other ways to get involved

  • Amazon Smile - Set it Once, Give Every Time

    When you use AmazonSmile.com, you purchase the same products at the same prices but Amazon donates 0.5% of your eligible purchases to Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Set it once; give every time you shop.

    Go to Amazon Smile

  • Annual Fund - Inspiring the Spirit of Giving

    Give a smile. Make a wish come true. Open doors for aspiring artists and musicians.

    Annual Fund Donor Recognition Program giving levels:

    • CHAIRMAN'S CIRCLE $50,000+
    • CEO'S CIRCLE $25,000 - $49,999
    • CONDUCTOR'S CIRCLE $10,000 - $24,999
    • BENEFACTOR'S CIRCLE $5,000 - $9,999
    • SUSTAINER'S CIRCLE $2,500 - $4,999
    • ASSOCIATE'S CIRCLE $1,000 - $2,499
    • ENCORE CIRCLE $500 - $999
    • INVESTOR'S CIRCLE $250 - $499
    • GARDEN CIRCLE $100 - $249
    • PEACE CIRCLE $1 - $99

    Please consider contributing to our Annual Fund today. Call (845) 295-2501 or submit our donation form.

  • Create a Personal Touchstone at Bethel Woods

    Become a permanent part of Bethel Woods when you purchase an anniversary paver. Placed along the pathway at the entrance to Bethel Woods, your personalized message is a lasting symbol of your special memories of this place – and your continued support of our mission.

    About the Paver Program
    You can help Bethel Woods grow and expand its offerings, including the opening up of a newly restored trail system in the Bindy Bazaar Trails. The paver program also helps support special exhibits, museum programming, and preservation projects.

  • Planned Giving

    Legacy giving is at the heart of the non-profit world. It establishes connections, ensures survival, and makes dreams possible – to the organizations, the donors, and those who benefit from such a generous act.

    Bethel Woods works with you and your team to arrange bequests, life insurance, gifts of real estate, retirement plan assets, charitable gift annuity, and charitable trusts. Planned giving allows you to protect the inheritance of your loved ones, while making a meaningful gift to an organization you care about. Help us provide educational programming, community outreach, museum programs, and more for all ages.

    Contact our Development Office today to begin your Bethel Woods legacy at (845) 295-2501.

  • The Williams Endowed Education Fund

    Mr. and Mrs. Joseph D. Williams of Dover, NJ and Bethel, NY established the Williams Endowed Education Fund at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. The fund provides tuition assistance for children and youth to participate in current and future programming, and transportation assistance for the children and youth of the Hudson Valley Region.

    Help the young people of our region discover their own potential and consider making a contribution to The Williams Endowed Education Fund. Complete our secure online donation form, and choose “Endowment,” under 'Area of Interest'.

We are working our hardest to open this season safely and soundly and will update you as soon as we can. Please be sure to check your emails and follow us on social media to ensure you are the first to hear. To see What's Happening at the site this upcoming month, please click here.