BETHEL — Sullivan County lost one of its most culturally significant landmarks as Russell Dairy Farm, formerly the Yasgur Farm, suffered a major fire Thursday, June 20. The farm once belonged to the family that hosted the 1969 Woodstock Festival in Bethel. 

Flames were bursting out of the building, extending 10-15 feet from the structure. The roof had collapsed and smoke billowed into the sky. 

As of Friday morning, the cause of this fire is still under investigation, however Sullivan County Fire Coordinator John Hauschild explained that the combination of dry hay and the hot summer sun can cause spontaneous combustion in these barns that are often even hotter than being outside. 

Code Enforcement Officer Bette Jean “BJ” Gettel reported that there had been no injuries and that the farm animals were out to pasture when the fire started around 12:36 p.m.

When the call came into the White Lake Fire Company, Chief Shane Cunningham, worked with Sullivan County Fire Coordinator John Hauschild and his deputy Mike Bastone to secure additional resources from other departments in the county, as well as units from Orange County and Pennsylvania. In all, 21 fire departments sent units lending assistance, as well as EMS, auxiliary units and local and State Police. 

“Our first responders were well taken care of…Thank you to everyone who came out to support us,” said Hauschild. He attributed their success in dousing the flames to the numerous donations of water and goods from community members.

Looking back, Hauschild said he remembered the day he and his brother were invited to come see what was going on at Yasgur Farm back in 1969. 

“A family neighbor, Ann Mages, who worked for Mr. Yasgur, invited my brother, Bill, and I (ages 8 and 6) to go to the farm to help distribute water to the kids that were attending the festival. Our job was to stand on the loading dock with a garden hose to fill water bottles, containers and even spray the kids [to cool off],” he recalled. 

“I wasn’t old enough to attend the concert but the experience was a memory of the farm and festival I will never forget.”

Please see more on pages 4A, 6A and 7A.