Flowers were 15 cents a bunch at the Zena Mill back in the summer of 1953, picked by hand from the plentiful flowerbeds around the mill, and sold by these youngsters, Frances Halsband, Iris Sobel, Billy Beasley and E.J. "Gene" Gold -- all inspired and enthusiastic members of the Woodstock Art Association Junior Art League.

This vintage 1953 photo is looking away to the Northwest, from the Zena Mills and up toward the inside of the enormous wooden picket fence which isolates the Zena Mill from the road which connects Zena with nearby Woodstock and Saugerties. On the curve of the road at the top of the falls you will find a painted metal New York State Landmark Site sign that tells you that the mill was built in 1710 -- at least 60 years before the first group of settlers arrived!

The fence kept out unwanted road noises, even though the cars were few and far between in those days. It is hard to believe in these post-festival days, but a whole day or two could go by without a single automobile passing the mill back in the 1940's and well into the mid-1950's!!!