This week, I bring you everything Woodstock. No, not the groovy, ‘what’s happin’ man’ Woodstock of the 60’s, but the other one…the picturesque quintessential New England country town that has evolved to be a favourite tourist destination for many a Bostonian and New Yorker. A charming village nestled in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Woodstock may have remained a sleepy destination if not for the union of Mary French and Laurance Rockefeller, …(Yep, one of those guys; you know…only the heir to a squillionaire! Ooo, just imagine having to struggle along on that kind of inheritance  ) …but back on track…both descendants of avid conservationists and consequently, environmentalists in their own right.

Mary had spent her summers horseback riding on Mt Tom and had an inherent appreciation for the outdoors. Laurance already shared this interest and, apparently, his love for the town stemmed simply from the fact that it was his wife’s home.

He saw the dangers that unwise development could pose for Woodstock, and drawing upon his experience in conservation and preservation elsewhere, he worked to guide the town in environmentally sound directions. He firmly believed that landscape and townscape must be considered together – that one could not be preserved without the other.

The couple are credited with making a huge contribution towards the charm and integrity of the New England country village by providing the money to put all the electrical and telephone wires underground. To this day the enhancement of Woodstock’s appearance can be appreciated.

 The article in The Vermont Standard regarding this esteemed and forward thinking couple reads on to reveal that Rockefeller purchased the original inn, knocking it down in favour of extensive renovations to build a new Woodstock Inn, (more on that later) and, amongst numerous notable activities in and around the town, bought much of the surrounding forest which has now become national parkland.

Tinerate, for all who get to enjoy the Woodstock of today, we are forever in debt to the foresight of its ancestors and their passion to achieve what they believed in.

And, (almost a post note) walking down Elm street yesterday I overhead a snippet of visitor chat…Well, you know they are credited with putting this place on the map!  Maybe not quite the map, but probably most certainly on nearly every postcard out there

Till next time.

Tipsy Pipsy xo