BETHEL — The Museum at Bethel Woods, located at the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock festival, has been nominated for USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards for best music museums for the third consecutive year. 

The museum is urging the public to vote daily through February 10 to help secure the top spot in the competition. The ballot can be found at https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-music-museum-2025/.

“The Museum and historical site represent so much to so many people,” said Museum Curator Julia Fell. “It’s a resource for our local community and an important destination for the international audience interested in the 1960s and Woodstock.”

Bethel Woods attributes its success in part to its outreach efforts, which have strengthened ties with the “Woodstock Nation” across the country. 

Over the past year, the museum has recorded more than 1,000 oral histories from Woodstock alumni and cultural participants, expanding its community and deepening its connection to the historic event.

“National exposure like this helps us reach people who may never have heard of us or need more information before planning a trip,” said Fell. “Sullivan County has so much to offer, and we are always thrilled to be the reason people visit and explore the area.”

This year, Bethel Woods will continue its oral history initiative to preserve the stories of Woodstock attendees and those who participated in other cultural events of the 1960s. 

Upcoming exhibits will highlight the history of Woodstock’s camping and vendor areas, based on years of research into the festival’s logistics and community impact.

“This year, we are very pleased to be working with the Borscht Belt Museum and the Borscht Belt Historic Marker Project to collect new oral histories about culture in the Catskills and how this region shaped Woodstock and the counterculture,” Fell continued.

This project is supported by a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services, enabling the museum to bring fresh perspectives to the Woodstock narrative.

The Museum at Bethel Woods, located at 200 Hurd Road in Bethel, will reopen for the season on April 1, offering new exhibits, guided tours and special programming throughout the year, including a celebration of Woodstock’s anniversary in August. 

Details about upcoming events can be found on their website at www.bethelwoodscenter.org.