The Museum at Bethel Woods

The Museum will be closed until further notice. While we don't have any confirmed cases connected to The Museum, we believe that we must do all that we can to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our guests and staff, which at this time calls for us to minimize gatherings while maintaining the cleanest environment possible. We look forward to soon announcing when we'll be able to welcome visitors to The Museum and opening our 2020 Special Exhibit: Lights, Color, Fashion. Follow along on social media as we share content from the exhibits, talks with the curators, and more. 

inside the Museum at Bethel Woods

COVID-19 UPDATE

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is continuously monitoring the COVID-19 situation. We are in communication with our partners, state and local officials, and health authorities as we collectively assess all developments related to COVID-19. We will communicate any updates as they happen here.

Bethel Woods property
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Exhibitions in The Museum

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.

people sitting on bean bag chairs watching video of Woodstock at the Museum at Bethel Woods
Exhibitions in The Museum

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, embodying embodies the movements and ideals of a generation that remain relevant today: peace, connection to the environment, civility, and kindness. We also offer regularly scheduled tours with trained volunteers and docent.

In addition to preserving and interpreting an era, the Museum is actively involved in our community.

We encourage social responsibility among our visitors and supporters through education, economic development, and historic preservation in order to make Sullivan County, and the world at large, a better place. To borrow from 1960s ideology, everyone has the power to change the world.

Museum Exhibits
exhibits at museum at bethel woods
Preservation Efforts
bethel woods exterior shot
History of Woodstock
image by james shelley of woodstock
Alumni Registry
monument at bethel woods
The Bindy Bazaar Trails
The Bindy Bazaar Trails (400)
Historic Photo Archive
Historic image from woodstock
Museum Accessibility
bus in museum
Become a Volunteer in The Museum
group of volunteers in museum
Plan Your Visit
museum exterior bethel woods
Museum Shop
musuem shop
Make a Donation
beauty shot of bethel woods
Calendar of Events
women in museum exhibit at bethel woods

Go Behind-The-Scenes Of Our Exhibits!

Museum Main Exhibit Q&A

Museum at Bethel Woods Assistant Curator Julia Fell returns to discuss her favorite part of the Main Exhibit, how people who attended Woodstock can become a part of our community, and why younger generations should care about what happened during that historic weekend.

Museum Main Exhibit Q&A
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2020 Special Exhibit Q&A

Exhibit Curator Julia Fell joins us to discuss the 2020 Special Exhibit: Lights, Color, Fashion. Learn how museum curators determine an object's authenticity; the type of art the exhibit will showcase; and what it was like working with collector Gary Westford.

bill ham light show
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Earth in Focus Q&A

Earth in Focus is an outdoor photo exhibition curated by talented photographers from around the world. While the exhibit will not open on the historic grounds until further notice, Julia discusses the inspiration of Earth in Focus, the legacy of Earth Day, and how everyone has the power to positively impact the world.

Earth in Focus Q&A
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Museum FAQs

  • 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.

  • 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 discounted admission when purchased with a concert ticket as well as when purchased the day of with a valid concert ticket. Discounted admission is valid the day of a concert through noon the following day.

  • 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.

  • 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. To learn more, please click here.

  • 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.

  • May I rent the Event Gallery in The Museum?

    Yes, and you may also rent other locations on our site. For details please click here.