bethel heritage trail

What is the Bethel Heritage Trail?

The Bethel Heritage Trail is part of the Town's 50th Anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock Festival Celebration. The trail is a permanent outdoor photo display in locations throughout the town. Each display has a description and interesting facts of the area depicted. Year-round. Links below that are highlighted orange will take you to that locations Facebook page or Website.

The Town of Bethel in Sullivan County, NY was the host community for the iconic 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Festival. The festival dates were August 15, 16 and 17, 1969. The festival was held on land owned by local farmer Max Yasgur at the intersection of Hurd and West Shore Roads. This event is seen as a major political and cultural event in the history of the United States. The project commemorates and memorializes the fact that this event took place in the Town of Bethel. Happy Trails!

Where does the Bethel Heritage Trail Begin?
The trail can begin at any one of the 9 locations but we encourage you to begin at the trailhead located at 3586 Route 55, Kauneonga Lake, NY 12749.

Display Locations 1-3

What is the Bethel Heritage Trail?

Location #1 - Trailhead
Town Municipal Parking Lot, 3586 Route 55, Kauneonga Lake, NY 12749
Overview of Bethel Heritage Trail. Located in the municipal parking lot. Free parking. Free electric vehicle charging station. Located near downtown Kauneonga Lake restaurants (location #2) and Kauneonga Lake Community Park (Location #3). In the summer Kauneonga Lake has Yoga on Saturdays 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. at the Beekman Pavilion (behind Sticky Finger's), and a Farmer's Market on
Saturdays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.; music in the summer on Thursday's 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. hosted by Bethel Lakeside Music.

Location #2 - Former Vassmer's General Store, 3575 Route 55, Kauneonga Lake, NY 12749
Art Vassmer - Mr. Peanut Butter and Jelly Man (a/k/a Mr. Woodstock). You may have read about Art in many publications or you may have seen him in news media. and in the Woodstock Movie. Art operated the family store from 1901 until 2004.

Location #3 - Kauneonga Lake Community Park, 3562 Route 55, Kauneonga Lake, NY 12749
Across from the former Ken's Garage (now Sorella's Restaurant). Ken VanLoan was a member of the Bethel Business Association in 1969 and was a supporter of the music and arts festival. His banner 1969 Woodstock Ken's Garage banner is on display at the Bethel Woods Museum.

Display Locations 4-9

What is the Bethel Heritage Trail?

Thank-you to the following contributors:

Location #4 - Route 17B & Route 55 East at The Clocktower 3398 Route 55 East, White Lake, NY 12786 El Monaco Restaurant

Location #5 - VW Bug Happy Avenue and Route 17B, Bethel, NY 12720 (at Bethel Pump Station). Make sure to read the description on the back.

Location #6 - Hector's Inn14 Dr. Duggan Road, Bethel, NY 12720. The original 1969 Welcome signs can still be found at Carol's Dream and Gift Shop across the street from Hector's.

Location #7 - Bethel Market Café2020 Route 17B, Bethel, NY 12720. During Woodstock served as a place to rest, post signs and notes for people looking for others in their group. Owned by R.E. Joyner in 1969. At that time, was the location of the Bethel General Store and Bethel Post Office.

Location #8 - Bethel Woods Conservatory 597 West Shore Road, Swan Lake, NY 12783. Enter at driveway to Crestwood Farms. Watch for the blind Hill when entering. Location of the Hog Farm Encampment, Food for Love, vendors booths and tents.

Location #9 - Former Gabriel's Farm, 449 West Shore Road, Swan Lake, NY 12783. Enter at circular driveway where water storage tanks and barns are located. The display is in the small grassy island with the large tree. Please do not enter any other areas of the property.

Thank-you to the following contributors:

Town of Bethel

Sullivan County

Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center

WDesign Group

Photographs Courtesy of:

Thank-you to the following contributors:

Photographs Courtesy of:

Abe Aiginer

Elizabeth Alexander

Cornelius Alexy

George Annarella

Irene Berner

Alan Frishman

Patricia Gerry

Mark Goff Photography

Janice Hauser

Noah Kalina

Joseph Klimasiewfski

Elliot Landy

Lisa Law
Ilene Levine
James Lomax
Dale Saltzman
Ted Saunders
Berry Serben
Rick Shatz
James Shelley
Ian R. Slater
Dorene Warner, WDesign Group

QR Code

Thank-you to the following contributors:

Photographs Courtesy of:

Find the QR Code on each display.