The rusted frame of a 1939 International Harvester school bus, known as “Furthur,” draws attention even when stationary. This iconic bus served as a symbol of movement and creativity. Kelly Harris, director of the Haight Street Art Center in San Francisco, notes, “Furthur really is a call to action. It reminds us to never stop creating, never stop exploring, and keep pushing further.”
The bus is the centerpiece of an exhibit titled “Forever Grateful” that pays homage to the countercultural revolution inspired by Furthur. According to Harris, the journey of Furthur continues, inspiring new generations. Recently, this famous bus left Ken Kesey’s family farm in Oregon for San Francisco.
Ken Kesey, the driver behind Furthur, became a notable author and counterculture figure. In the early 1960s, while studying creative writing at Stanford, he participated in government experiments involving LSD. These experiences influenced his 1962 novel, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” In June 1964, Kesey led a journey from California to the New York World’s Fair on the bus, accompanied by “The Merry Pranksters.” They filmed their adventures, creating a psychedelic version of reality TV.
Ben Marks, curator of the bus exhibit, described the trip as a social experiment, fueled by alcohol and LSD. While not all outcomes were positive, with reports of emotional damage, Furthur became an emblem of liberation upon returning to California. Marks acknowledged, “That was kind of a moment where people knew the culture was going to shift.”
Kesey’s influence extended into the music scene when he invited a local band to play at Prankster parties. This band became known as the Grateful Dead. Fans continue to be inspired by the band’s music and the history associated with Furthur. Stephanie Koziol described the experience as religious, while Eddie Wilson simply called it magical.
By the late sixties, Kesey retired to Oregon with his family, returning to farming and writing. Furthur then rested in a bog, succumbing to rust. After Kesey’s passing in 2001, his son, Zane Kesey, took responsibility for the bus. Zane aims to restore Furthur, though recognizing “It’s in sad shape; it’s going to need a lot of help.”
In August, a crew carefully loaded Furthur onto a flatbed truck for its first journey in over 50 years. The Kesey family hopes to raise funds through public exhibits to preserve the bus for future generations. Harris believes saving Furthur holds a valuable message: “I think it’s about feeling inspired – inspired by art, inspired by music, inspired by the idea that people can come together and gather and feel the vibrations from this bus.”