Woodstock Museum at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Learn About Woodstock and the 1960s

The Museum at Bethel Woods is an integral part of the campus and the inspiration for our programming, telling the story of the ’60s and the making of the 1969 Woodstock festival. It embodies the movements and ideals of a generation that remain relevant today: peace, connection to the environment, civility, and kindness.

The Museum, which opened to the public in June 2008, is housed in a beautiful LEED-certified green building, set back from the top of the Woodstock festival hillside. Within the building, in addition to the Main Exhibit Gallery, Museum Shop, and Muse Café (with indoor and outdoor seating), there is a spacious Event Gallery where intimate concerts and other events are held. On the lower level are the Special Exhibit Gallery, Corridor Gallery, and public restrooms, as well as the Museum’s administrative offices.

Museum Schedule

Please note The Museum at Bethel Woods is now CLOSED and will reopen on April 4th, 2020.

April 4-26: Thursday-Sunday; 10 AM - 5 PM

Please note The Museum will offer extended hours on April 4 & 5 as part of Opening Weekend: 10 AM – 7 PM.

April 27-November 1: 7 Days a Week; 10 AM - 5 PM

May 29-31: Museum Closed to General Public for Mountain Jam

September 7: Labor Day; 10 AM - 5 PM

October 12: Columbus Day; 10 AM - 5 PM

November 2-December 23: Thursday-Sunday; 10 AM - 5 PM

November 26: Closed for Thanksgiving

December 24-25: Closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

December 26-31: Saturday-Thursday; 10 AM - 5 PM

The Museum Experience

Through our award-winning Main Exhibit—“Woodstock and The Sixties”—varied and engaging special exhibitions, growing collection of artifacts and reference materials, museum programs for children, youth, and adults, and the preserved historic site, the Museum immerses visitors in the story of the societal evolution of the 1960s, connecting visitors to the roots of today’s freedom of expression and the resurgent human spirit that defined the politics, music, art, and societal issues of that remarkable and challenging decade.

Museum Exhibits Sneak-Peek

Your journey through the Museum begins as the nuclear age wanes and the world stands at the brink of incredible transformation. Wind through exhibits that subtly shift with the geopolitical and cultural transformations of the decade that saw Martin Luther King, Jr. rise and fall, the Vietnam War unfold, the Summer of Love bloom, and Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. This immersive multimedia experience will take you on a journey through time with artifacts, films, music, and more. We also offer regularly scheduled tours with trained volunteers and docent.

Community Involvement

In addition to preserving and interpreting an era, the Museum is actively involved in our community—through education, economic development, and historic preservation—to encourage social responsibility among our visitors and supporters and to advocate for issues that make Sullivan County, and the world at large, a better place. To borrow from 1960s ideology, everyone has the power to change the world.

Become a member of The Museum at Bethel Woods!

Museum Membership - NEW!
Unlimited Museum Admission for (2) Adults

Discount to Museum Education and Creative Programs

Your membership begins January 1, 2020 and is valid until December 31, 2020

Please note this does not include any concert benefits.

Member Price: $69
Tax Deductible Portion: $69

Purchase your Museum Membership here.
Family Museum Membership - NEW!
Unlimited Museum Admission for (2) Adults and (4) Youth

Discount to Museum Education and Creative Programs

Your membership begins January 1, 2020 and is valid until December 31, 2020

Please note this does not include any concert benefits.

Member Price: $125
Tax Deductible Portion: $125

Purchase your Family Museum Membership here.

Discover the iconic fashion of the 1960s, listen to music from the era, and watch a series of films that bring history to life with original footage featuring the people, stories, sights, and music of the three-day Woodstock Festival. Woodstock: The Music shows, for the first time ever, high-definition footage of the best performances from the Woodstock Music and Art Fair told from the perspective of the performers themselves, as well as contemporary artists from today.

Exhibitions in The Museum

If a picture is worth a thousand words, some pictures of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair are worth five hundred thousand words, one for every attendee of the famous 1969 music festival.

Take a step back in time

Yasgur’s Farm Café offers freshly prepared snacks and meals, as well as beer and wine to keep you powered during your exploration around Bethel Woods. Named after the legendary dairy farmer Max Yasgur, the original owner of the alfalfa field where the Woodstock Festival took place, the café is located in The Museum lobby. Indoor bistro seating is always available and covered outdoor seating is available during warmer weather.

Spring and Fall Yasgur's Farm Café
Full menu service 11:00 am–2:00 pm
Prepared snacks and beverages only 2:00 pm–3:00 pm

Summer Yasgur's Farm Café
Full menu service 11:00 am–3:00 pm
Prepared snacks and beverages only 3:00 pm–4:00 pm

Dining at Bethel Woods

Find unique gifts and mementos of your visit. Your purchases at our on-site shop or online store help support the operations and programs offered at The Museum.

Visit Shop

Whether you're visiting The Museum, attending a program, seeing a concert, or here to do it all, find everything you need to know to plan the perfect visit to Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Museum hours and admission prices, frequently asked questions, campus maps, and so much more can all be found in one convenient place!

Plan Your Visit

people at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Museum FAQs

Are student groups welcome during the school year?

The Museum's Education department offers programs aligned with the NY State curriculum which help students make the connection between the museum content and their lives today. For more information please contact us at education@BethelWoodsCenter.org. Registration can be done here.
Can I take pictures at The Museum at Bethel Woods?

Photography is allowed in the museum for personal, non-commercial use. (Policy may vary for some special exhibits). Tripods and other supports, flash and other lighting, allowed ONLY with prior written permission from museum management. For media and commercial use, please contact Bethel Woods Public Relations at mediainquiries@bethelwoodscenter.org
Can I visit the Museum and go to a Pavilion Stage concert on the same day?

Yes, you can visit The Museum and attend a Pavilion Stage concert on the same day. Due to popular demand, museum visitation during a Pavilion Stage concert day is high. The Museum at Bethel Woods offers $8 admission when purchased with a concert ticket and $10 admission when purchased the day of with a valid concert ticket. Discounted admission is valid the day of a concert through noon the following day.
How can I donate an artifact?

If you have an item to donate to The Museum’s permanent collection, please contact Robin Green at rgreen@bethelwoodscenter.org. If you can attach a photo of your item, that would be appreciated. Please DO NOT bring your item to the Museum without first contacting us.
I would like to bring a group to The Museum and for a concert: Do you have a group sales department?

We invite you to bring your group of 20 or more to experience the power of live performance or to visit The Museum at Bethel Woods. Please contact Kevin Frommer at groups@bethelwoodscenter.org.
May I rent the Event Gallery in The Museum?

Yes, and you may also rent other locations on our site. For details please contact: Maureen Michulski at 845.295.2558 or email MMichulski@BethelWoodsCenter.org.
What is The Museum at Bethel Woods?

The Museum at Bethel Woods explores the unique experience of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair, its significance as a culminating event of a decade of radical cultural transformation, and the legacies of the Sixties and Woodstock today. Through personal stories and profiles, immersive musical and multi-media exhibit displays and experiences, engaging programs, and educational events, The Museum encourages inter-generational dialogue about important ideas and issues relevant to today. It also helps to preserve the historic site on which the Woodstock festival took place.

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