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February 6, 2003
PRESS RELEASE
FROM: The Woodstock Preservation
Alliance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE
WOODSTOCK PRESERVATION ALLIANCE, WORKING AT STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS, SEEKS
TO HAVE THE ORIGINAL WOODSTOCK SITE RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY with our
comments regarding tax spending and budget cuts.
[BETHEL, NY] - The Woodstock
Preservation Alliance announced today that it has submitted a nomination
to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C., in an
attempt to have the 38 acre site of the original Woodstock Music &
Arts Fair added to the list of "The 11 Most Endangered Historic
Places" for 2003.
The Woodstock Music &
Arts Fair took place in August 1969 on the land of farmer Max Yasgur, in
the Town of Bethel, NY. Sullivan
County billionaire Alan Gerry purchased this land in 1997 and is planning
construction of a Performing Arts Center, with structures extending onto
the original 38-acre site.
The Woodstock Preservation
Alliance seeks to preserve the original site in its present condition,
free from structures, fencing, or other obtrusive objects. It contends that the Gerry Foundation has alternatives, using
land that surrounds the site on which to build, while leaving the original
site intact. The WPA does not oppose the Performing Arts Center, merely
the placement of it, or any support structures.
Also at this time, The
Woodstock Preservation Alliance is requesting that the original Woodstock
Site be allowed its recognition, and take its place on the National
Register of Historic Places.
We are appealing to Mr.
Gerry, and to the Gerry Foundation Inc., for written permission, allowing
us to continue with the application process; to have the "Woodstock
Site" placed on the National Register. The
Woodstock Preservation Alliance does not expect any opposition on the part
of the Gerry Foundation to the WPA's desire to proceed with immediate
registration.
Finally, particularly
disturbing to the WPA is the fact that the Pataki administration gave 15
million dollars toward the building of the Bethel Performing Arts Center,
while announcing that aid to schools will be cut by 1.24 billion dollars.
The education of our children in New York State should be a much higher
priority than destroying a cultural and historical landmark.
Additional information about
the Woodstock Preservation Alliance and its efforts to preserve the
original site can be found at: www.thewoodstockspirit.org
The Board of Directors,
Woodstock
Preservation Alliance
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