New Artist Gallery display celebrates the iconic music festival

In August 1969, nearly half a million people gathered on a dairy farm in upstate New York to see some of the biggest names in music perform. The event became one of the most iconic music festivals in history—Woodstock. A new exhibit in MIM’s Artist Gallery commemorates the festival and its impact on music through instruments used by a number of its original performers.

Highlights include the 1960s Camco drum kit played by Creedence Clearwater Revival drummer Doug Clifford, Joan Baez’s beloved 1929 Martin 0-45 acoustic guitar, and one of Carlos Santana’s red Gibson SG Special electric guitars. Guests can also see the custom guitar played for decades by folk singer-songwriter John Sebastian and memorabilia from the Who, including the fringed stage wardrobe worn by Roger Daltrey and part of the famous “Pictures of Lily” drum kit belonging to Keith Moon.

Despite its poor weather conditions and larger crowds than expected, Woodstock is remembered as a vibrant celebration of music, peace, and love. The music festival helped immortalize the careers of many artists, including those represented in MIM’s exhibit. As Woodstock celebrates its 50th anniversary this August, its legacy in music and pop culture continues to thrive.

“I could feel the presence and brilliance of the audience, and there was something really magical happening. It was beyond your eyes and ears—it was the heart of that entire movement,” says Clifford. “It’s a pleasure and an honor to represent a part of this story at MIM; it’s another magical place.”

September 14 & 15, rock on at our new event Celebrate Rock and Roll during the closing weekend of MIM’s most popular special exhibition, The Electric Guitar.