'Authentic' Woodstock Stage Panels On Display At Smithsonian

Following reports of proposed orders to place signs outside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History warning visitors about allegedly "inaccurate" exhibits, Peace of Stage would like to offer Washington officials some good news: They can save taxpayers the cost of at least one sign. 

Authentic panels from the original 1969 Woodstock stage are currently displayed in the museum’s Entertainment Nation exhibition – and Peace of Stage can confirm they're the genuine articles.

"To whom it may concern in Washington: Our Woodstock panels are 100% authentic and historically accurate," says Steve Gold, co-founder of Peace of Stage and a 15-year-old attendee at the original festival. "No outside warning sign required. You’re welcome."

The panels were part of the actual stage on which Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, Santana, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and other music legends performed before an estimated 500,000 people during the iconic music festival held from August 15 to 18, 1969, at Max Yasgur's Dairy Farm in Bethel, New York.

"You can question the museum, question the historians, and even question whether 500,000 people should have shared that few porta-potties," adds Gold. "You can question whether anyone took the brown acid or if the New York State Thruway was really closed. But you cannot question the wood. It was there. It survived three days of rain, mud and raw rock ’n’ roll – it's already passed a much tougher test than a government audit."

Peace of Stage suggests that if officials insist on placing a sign outside the museum anyway, they should use the following historically accurate language:

WARNING: The exhibits inside may cause visitors to learn something, think independently and draw their own conclusions. No political fact-check is necessary for the Woodstock panels. They are 100% real and entirely immune to modern political spin.

To celebrate the fact that some things in history are still undeniably real, Peace of Stage has introduced an "Anniversary Truth Sale." Its handcrafted Peace Pendant – containing an authenticated piece of the original Woodstock stage – is currently reduced from $99 down to $69.

"Unlike a lot of official promises, this discount is actually real," Gold says. "Best of all, it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and zero alternative history."

To view the exhibit: Visit the Entertainment Nation exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

To own a piece of the stage, visit Peace of Stage Collectibles.