Deadheads will love 2010: The Grateful Dead archives coming to the New York Historical Society

October 21, 11:03 AMOffbeat Places ExaminerNeala Schwartzberg

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CD cover art- manipulated album cover

Mark Your Calendars:

In March 2010, the New York Historical Society will present the first large-scale exhibition of materials from the Grateful Dead Archive shown anywhere.

The materials are actually coming from the "Dead" trove housed at the University of California Santa Cruz.

According to Wikipedia: On April 24, 2008, members Bob Weir and Mickey Hart announced that UCSC's McHenry Library would be the permanent home of the Grateful Dead's complete archival history from 1965 up to the present. The archive includes correspondence, photographs, fliers, posters, and several other forms of memorabilia and records of the band. Also included are unreleased videos of interviews and TV appearances that will be installed for visitors to view, as well as stage backdrops and other props from the band's concerts.Guitarist Bob Weir at the time stated, "We looked around, and UC Santa Cruz seems the best possible home. If you ever wrote the Grateful Dead a letter, you'll probably find it there!"

Nonetheless.The Grateful Dead: Now Playing at the New-York Historical Society will chronicle the history of the Grateful Dead its music, and longevity through original art and documents.

Exhibition highlights will include concert and recording posters, album art, large-scale marionettes and other stage props, banners, and vast stores of decorated fan mail.

NYHS describes it as providing: unique glimpses into the political and social upheavals and artistic awakenings of the 1960s and 1970s, a tumultuous and transformative period that has shaped our current cultural and political landscape.

It is certain to be fascinating. Not only for the memorabilia, but for the progression from virtual outlaw band to cultural phenomenon to revered piece of history. As the Dead sang:

Lately it occurs to me what a long strange trip its been

. Not sure they'd want to be a revered piece of history though.

What do you think?

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