Town: White Lake
Artist: Jessica Mall
About: The Town of Bethel – Woodstock Way in White Lake, New York, is a place steeped in the rich cultural history of the Woodstock festival. It is home to the “Town of Bethel – Woodstock Way dove,” a stunning piece of public art that celebrates the enduring legacy of peace, music, and community. Created by a talented local artist, this dove is part of the broader Dove Trail, symbolizing the town’s deep connection to the Woodstock era and its ongoing commitment to preserving and honoring this vibrant heritage.
Address: 10 Waldheim Road
White Lake, NY 12786
Location: Town of Bethel – Woodstock Way
The Town of Bethel – Woodstock Way in White Lake, New York, holds a special place in the hearts of those who cherish the legacy of the 1969 Woodstock festival. Situated near the original festival site, Woodstock Way is more than just a road; it is a living monument to a pivotal moment in music and cultural history. This area serves as a gateway to the past, inviting visitors to relive the spirit of the 1960s, where peace, love, and music converged in a defining moment of social change.
Woodstock Way is a destination for those who seek to connect with the spirit of the Woodstock festival and explore the cultural impact that continues to resonate in Bethel today. The road itself is lined with echoes of the past, providing a tangible link to the thousands who gathered here in pursuit of peace and artistic expression.
A highlight of this historic area is the “Town of Bethel – Woodstock Way dove,” part of the Dove Trail public art initiative. This beautifully crafted dove, created by a local artist, stands as a symbol of the town’s dedication to preserving the legacy of Woodstock. It represents the unity, creativity, and enduring cultural significance that the festival brought to the world.
Visitors to Woodstock Way not only get to explore a piece of history but also experience the vibrant community spirit that defines Bethel. The area is a testament to the town’s ongoing celebration of its heritage, making it a must-visit destination for those looking to immerse themselves in the Woodstock experience.
Artist: Jessica Mall
Jessica Mall is honored to have been chosen as one of the Dove Artists for the Town of Bethel. Given that Bethel is the original site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival and home to the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock, she decided to throw her “hat in the ring” and submit a design. She believed very strongly that the design should not only be a tribute to the Iconic Woodstock Festival of 69′, but a compilation of all that Bethel is known for, from its agriculture to its recreation. She has lived in Sullivan County all her life. She grew up in Shandelee and now reside in Jeffersonville and knows that each community has its own unique identity with residents that take pride in sustaining it. She graduated from Livingston Manor Central School in 1999, and went on to receive her Bachelors in Art Education from The College of Saint Rose in 2003. She returned to Sullivan County after graduation and accepted a teaching position at Livingston Manor Central School teaching High School Art in 2005. While working, she went back to school and received her Masters in Educational Technology from NYIT. The greatest joys in her life are her husband Jonathan and her three daughters, Sara (8) and identical twins Claire and Olivia (4). Her husband is her best friend, teammate and the love of her life—even after being together 20 years she continues to strive to be a better person because of him. The strength she possesses as a wife and mother is also attributed to the two women she strives to emulate every day, her mother Debra Miller and mother- in-law, Danette Mall. She also acknowledges her father-in-law as her “secret weapon” as he assists her in prepping any project that she takes on.
DOVE INSPIRATION: The inspiration behind the Bethel Dove was to pay homage to the historical Woodstock event that put Bethel on the map 50 years ago as well as to depict Bethel as a community and all it has to offer. Jessica felt it imperative that each side be given its own moment; however, they are intertwined to so as to show that they are one and the same. Woodstock may have solidified Bethel in the history books, but if not for Bethel the Woodstock event would have never been brought to fruition.
- Places to Stay
- Happy Days Campground (454 Horseshoe Lake Rd. Swan Lake, NY 12783)
- Horse & Hounds Bed and Breakfast (385 Hurd Rd. Bethel, NY 12720)
- Bradstan Country Hotel (1561 NY-17B, White Lake, NY 12786)
- Places to Eat
- Hectors Inn (14 Dr. Duggan Road Bethel, NY 12720)
- Catskill Distilling Company/ Dancing Cat Saloon (2037 State Rte. 17B Bethel, NY 12720)
- Benji & Jakes (5 Horseshoe Lake Rd, Kauneonga Lake, NY 12749)
- Big Kev’s (350 Royce Rd, Swan Lake, NY 12783)
- The Local Table and Tap (3 Horseshoe Lake Rd, Kauneonga Lake, NY 12749)
- Barrio Kitchen (1 Horseshoe Lake Rd, White Lake, NY 12786)
- Places to Explore
- Yasgur Road Productions (34 Yasgur Rd. Bethel, NY 12720)
- Rosehaven Alpacas Boutique & Mill (2720 State Rte. 17B Bethel, NY 12720)
- Stray Cat Gallery (2023 Rte. 17B Bethel, NY 12720)
- Lake Superior State Park (342 Dr. Duggan Rd. Bethel, NY 12720)
- The Museum at Bethel Woods (200 Hurd Rd. Bethel, NY 12720)
- Rolling Stone Ranch (282 West Shore Rd. Bethel, NY 12720)
- Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (200 Hurd Road, Bethel, NY 12720)
Photos by Paul Henshaw