Hello Everyone, I’m sure by now most everyone knows of the plans, already underway, to develope the original Woodstock site in Bethel NY, but I’m not so sure you are aware of the efforts that pursued the preservation of those 38 acres. My name is Joanne Hague, and I was a leader in those efforts. We, preservationists, just short of having our concerns heard at the Federal level, were able to see a 90 percent downsizing of the Bethel Woods project. We believe it was a win-win decision for everyone involved. We, as a small group of concerned citizen’s with no preservation background, went up against all odds, and we would like to share our struggles and accomplishments. In the wake of the efforts that took place in pursuit of the historic preservation, we’ve launched a new website which may be one of the best sources of Woodstock information for the interested public and students alike. The website is not only about Woodstock 1969, it’s about Woodstock: then and now. We believe that the facts, fiction, legend, mythology, and general power of what is "Woodstock" will continue through our youth and we developed a unique page as a place for our students to share their works; their projects and essays, with others, to enjoy and learn from, and we also provide the opportunity for students to correspond with people who attended the event in 1969. We also feature "Memories" - a place for those who attended that event, to have the opportunity to share one of their own. In addition, our website also serves as a template for other grassroots historic preservation movements. A multitude of information, photos, video, audio and more, abound on this website. Unlike other Woodstock ‘tribute’ websites, the Woodstock Preservation Archives serves to ensure that the struggle to preserve the festival site is not lost as Bethel Woods rises in the Catskills, and also to inspire others to speak up for what they believe in, regardless of the barriers that face them. I assure you that this website is fun, interesting, educational and informative, and in the spirit of the original Woodstock advertisement catchphrase, the Woodstock Preservation Archives provides "Hundreds of Acres to Roam On." I’d like to personally invite everyone to visit our new website: Woodstock - Preservation Archives (http://www.woodstockpreservation.org). And for anyone who remembers 1969 - some evening if memories of the old days pop into your head - we would be more than honored if you would share them with us as an entry on our "Memories" page. I look forward to hearing from you. My Best Regards - Joanne Woodstock - Preservation Archives http://www.woodstockpreservation.org
