Powder Ridge Rock Festival Gallery Opens

41 years ago this summer renowned American photographer Leonard Freed joined thousands of would-be concert goers at the Powder Ridge Rock Festival in Middlefield.

The concert never happened, but what Freed captured through the lens of his camera has never been forgotten.

This summer, the Brill Gallery in North Adams, MA, is showing a gallery of Freed's work entitled "Powder Ridge," a collection of about three dozen original prints taken back in late July, early August of 1970, including some that had been a part of Freed's personal collection and had never been seen before.

"We've had some people who said it was the most important weekend of their lives," explained gallery owner Ralph Brill, who said he'd met someone who still had a pair of jeans they wore to the festival. "We're trying to bring this festival back into the conscious of the community."

Each of the photographs is signed by Freed, who died in 2006 after spending most of his life documenting daily life in America, including the civil rights movement.

"He was in Europe during Woodstock in 1969. When he heard about Powder Ridge he said, 'I'm not going to miss this one,'" Brill said of Freed.

Like the many thousands that showed up to the rock festival, Freed did not know it had been canceled. He was one of a few professional photographers to capture the sights and scenes in Middlefield.

"Some of [the photos] were sent around to different magazines, some around the world. They are vintage, original prints," explained Brill, who said the gallery was selling the photographs on behalf of Freed's Estate.

The photos, which can be seen here, range from $1800 to $4000. Brill said a university or museum may be interested in buying the entire collection, or an individual may buy a single photograph.

"For someone who's interested about the history, but also investment value, these have investment value over time,"Brill said.

The Brill Gallery at 243 Union Street, North Adams, MA is open 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, as well as by appointment. For more information call 800-294-2811 or email info@brillgallery109.com