Avalon Archives
The Museum of Roots and Rock N Roll
Tilly Foster Farm, Brewster, NY
By Cary Doll
(SugarBuzz NY/CT)
SugarBuzz Magazine
Just minutes from Interstate 84 near the Connecticut –New York line is the Museum of Roots & Rock’n’Roll. There are six rooms FILLED with rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia. . It was explained by Ned Moran who heads the Avalon Archives, that a good many of the artists portrayed in the museum have a “local connection” to Putnam County. So for those of you in the Greater NYC & CT area, and those who love rock’n’roll, the blues and music in 
general, consider a day trip to this wonderful museum. Rob Robinson, Ned's assistant, has taken some of the museum’s photographs of Patti Smith and Frank Zappa.
There was lots of stuff on view of Dylan, the Grateful Dead, Janis and Jimi. There were pictures and posters galore of John Lennon, the Beatles, the Doors, the Band, and so many others, it would take a long time to name them all. There’s a Blues Room, an Elvis area, a female rocker wall, and dozens of posters from the Fillmore West and Avalon Ballroom. There are all sorts of knick knacks and mementos from days long gone that make one say “WOW!, or that brought back memories of another era of music. The museum had quite an array of bands it represented, from Jerry Lee Lewis to the New York Dolls, from the B52’s to Lucinda Williams to Johnny Winter. To this rock’n’roll fans’ delight, it should be noted that there is something for just about everyone here.
I understood from Ned that just one day earlier, the members of the New Riders of the Purple Sage had stopped by the museum for a visit after playing an area gig the night before. He explained that the name Avalon Archives was taken from the Avalon Ballroom, a California venue that had a great many rock n roll shows back in the 60’s,and who also designed exquisite illustrated rock posters, most exhibiting a
psychedelic style and trippy lettering that the period was known for. These and Fillmore West posters are much sought after by art and rock collectors alike, and today fetch a pretty penny. Open on Saturday and Sunday afternoon afternoons, there is no admission charge, but there is a “donations appreciated” jar. If you go there as a result of reading about it here, I hope you will tell Ned “Cary Doll sent ya”, and put some dollars in the jar!
For more information on the museum, and more photos, go to myspace.com/avalonarchives / Tel.(845) 225- 9
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