In the heart of the 1969 Woodstock festival grounds stood a towering red maple tree that became known as the Message Tree. This iconic tree was a gathering place for festival-goers, who left notes and messages for each other on its trunk. From meeting times to heartfelt apologies, the tree held the memories and connections of those who attended Woodstock.
Fast forward 55 years and the Message Tree was sadly cut down due to poor health and safety concerns. The owners of the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, where the tree stood, were reluctant to lose this living symbol of the community that was formed during the historic festival. Now, plans are in place to honor the legacy of the Message Tree and the memories it holds.
Neal Hitch, senior curator at The Museum At Bethel Woods, expressed the sentiment of many who saw the tree as a link to the past. The 60-foot tree, located near the information booth, served as a way for people to connect in an era before cellphones. It was a tangible reminder of the historic event that drew hundreds of thousands of people to the farm in Bethel.
While the physical tree is no longer standing, its legacy will live on through art created from its salvaged wood and saplings grown from its grafts. Bethel Woods is embracing the opportunity to create new connections and memories through the regenerative planting ceremony and art exhibit planned for the future.
As Neal Hitch put it, planting a new tree in place of the Message Tree symbolizes the continuation of its legacy for future generations. The spirit of Woodstock and the connections made under the shade of the red maple tree will not be forgotten.
With plans to share the story of the Message Tree with visitors and preserve its memory for years to come, Bethel Woods is determined to keep the spirit of Woodstock alive. Though the physical tree is gone, its message will always remain.
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