"Woodstock-more than the 1969 Music Festival"

When a member of the publishing family of It Happened In Woodstock approached me to write a review about his family's book on Woodstock, New York honoring the blue ray, and indicated that "This book's stunning use of reverse lithography (white letters on cobalt blue background) activates the blue ray in every reader," I had no idea what he was talking about.

The book finally showed up in my mail- box one day, and although, you can never tell a book by its cover, this one is remarkable, not only for its good look, but also its amazing succinct chronicling of the history of Woodstock from A.D. 1614 until 1971. Originally published in 1959, it was authored by a Philadelphia debutant, Anita Smith, who today is a well- known artist known for her impressionist and post- impressionist landscapes.

The 165 pages are cleverly divided into distinct sections presenting various portraits of the town from a historic, nostalgic, and psychic perspective. Moreover, the book's strong and sensitive use of old photographs coupled with fascinating historical data effectively transports readers into a charming little town, and as the book quotes Helen Hayes: "a unique spot in the world, isn't it. Throbbing with creation, flashing with genius-and so placed and countrified withal."

We learn that in 1614, when the first map of the Hudson River Valley was drawn up, the name Woodstock was missing. However, in 1777 the Englishman, Robert Livingston, referred to Woodstock in a letter and points out that the original Saxon word was "Wudestock" for "a clearing in the wood." Apparently, the village borrowed its name from the (woodsy) town in Oxfordshire, England.

In another section of the book, entitled "Woodstock: It happened in" we read about Native American folk lore, and the reminders of the past, such as the Native American names as Onteoras, (loosely translated as mountains of the blue ray-Onti-oras) Ohayo, Mountain, and the Esopus River. The beads, pipes and leather goods, or co-called "Hippie" affectations, that are abundant in the village.

We have a peek at some of the daily ads appearing in the local newspaper that give us a glimpse of the unenviable life of women- "My wife Polly has left my bed and board for no good reason. Or so he says.... As she is fond of riding, I forbid anyone to pick her up in a sleigh, carriage or wheelbarrow."

As for the Woodstock Music Festival of 1969, the publishers point out: "We as Piceans, have been in error. The reader will note that the attitude taken toward the Woodstock Music Festival of 1969 is, in all but the final section of this book, one of unmerited condescension. For it was our purpose, as stated above, to place this festival into the context of the history of Woodstock itself. We felt that the event had been blown-through some vagary of the public mind-out of all proper historical proportion. But we have since concluded-with the persuasion of our London observer-that public attention, in this case at least, has been anything but arbitrary. The "happening" of August, 1969 is a part of the village of Woodstock. But of far more importance has been its Cosmic role."

The book is a neat history lesson supported by a wealth of interesting tidbits. As an added feature, the book in its classic art folio version comes with post and screws to allow readers to open the book, remove pages, and even thumb tack anyone of the seventy illustrations on an office or home wall.

Reviewed by Norman Goldman
Courtesy Bookpleasures
Posted July 29, 2003