The Ozark Folk Center (OFC) opened its doors on May 5, 1973 in Mountain View, Arkansas as a living history state park committed to preserving and demonstrating traditional crafts, folkways and music of the Ozarks. The center was born out of the Arkansas Folk Festival, which began in April 1963 through the efforts of the Ozark Foothills Handicraft Guild and the Rackensack Folklore Society.
Many helped in making the Ozark Folk Center project a realty, such as musician Jimmy Driftwood, who lobbied for the OFC as well as educator Dr. Bessie Moore and Arkansas official U.S. Representative Wilbur D. Mills, who both helped to secure governmental funding for the OFC. In December 1968, Representative Mills announced that through combined grant and loans the OFC had over $2.5 million for its construction.
The OFC project broke ground in September 1971, was completed by April 1973, and officially dedicated in May 1973. By the completion of its construction, the OFC was a $3.4 million dollar facility which included, but was not limited to, an over 1000 seat music auditorium, a restaurant, a lodge, a conference center, and numerous craft shops located on 80 acres of land in Stone County, Arkansas. The OFC has since grown to 640 acres, located north of Mountain View.
This collection is comprised of photographs, photographic prints, and negatives depicting various artists, crafters, Arkansas politicians, and events at the Ozark Folk Center. These images include, but are not limited to, live performances, annual festivals, musical artists’ and/or groups’ publicity photographs, folkways cultural demonstrations, and anniversary events at the Ozark Folk Center.
This collection was managed by the Ozark Cultural Resource Center (OCRC) facility, within the OFC, prior to being transferred to the Arkansas State Archives. Collection information such as the identifier, collection title, and citation still use the Ozark Cultural Resource Center (OCRC) name.
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Submissions from 1999
Publicity photo of The Gospel Messengers: Dar Stow and Don Simmons. Black and white
Publicity photo of the musical group Cathedrals, members unidentified. Ozark Cultural Resource Center gospel photos. Black and white
Publicity photo of the musical group Cathedrals, members unidentified. Ozark Cultural Resource Center gospel photos. Black and white
Publicity photo of The New Coon Creek Girls. Black and white
Publicity photo of the North Carolina Mass Choir. Black and white
Publicity photo of The Roland White Band, members unidentified. Photo by Mickey Dobo. Black and white
Publicity photo of The Songsmen Quartet, members unidentified. Black and white, 3 copies
Publicity photo of The Songsmen Quartet, members unidentified. Black and white, 3 copies - one mounted on foamcore
Publicity photo of The Williams Brothers. Ozark Cultural Resource Center gospel photos. Color
Publicity photo of Wayne Horsburgh holding a baby kangaroo, photo by Kentucky Down Under. Photo autographed and dated 1997. Ozark Cultural Resource Center country music photos. Color
Publicity photos of musical duo The Osborne Brothers, individual names not given. Ozark Cultural Resource Center country music photos. Black and white
Publicity photos of The Five Blind Boys of Alabama. Ozark Cultural Resource Center gospel photos. Black and white, 2 copies - one copy autographed by each member
Publicity portrait of musician Adie Grey. Black and white
Reverend Leon Pinson and Elder Roma Wilson performing. Ozark Cultural Resource Center gospel photos. Black and white
Reverend Leon Pinson with guitar, singing. Ozark Cultural Resource Center gospel photos. Black and white
Rodger Bryant, Jr. singing or speaking into a microphone. Ozark Cultural Resource Center gospel photos. Black and white
Rope trick performer Bill Johnson posed with unidentified woman. He is wearing a white outfit with an orange decal on his shirt in the shape of Arkansas. Color
Singer Reverend Milton Brunson. Ozark Cultural Resource Center gospel photos. Black and white
Singers Allen White of Boston and Pierre Cook of Newark, NJ. Ozark Cultural Resource Center gospel photos. Black and white
Si Simonson, Benson's director of publishing; musician Barbara Fairchild; and her husband Milton Carroll. Fairchild is signing a songwriting agreement with Benson Publishing. Ozark Cultural Resource Center gospel photos. Black and white
Square dance performance at the Ozark Folk Center. Black and white
Square dance performance at the Ozark Folk Center. Black and white
Square dance performance at the Ozark Folk Center. Black and white
Square dance performance at the Ozark Folk Center. Black and white
Square dance performance at the Ozark Folk Center. Black and white
Square dance performance at the Ozark Folk Center. Black and white
Square dance performance at the Ozark Folk Center. Black and white
The Ballards - Cindi, Jim, and Ann. Names and title written on photo with marker. Black and white, 3 copies
The Five Blind Boys of Alabama performing. Ozark Cultural Resource Center gospel photos. Black and white
The Larry Nelson Family Gospel Singers, L-R: (back) Lana, Larry , Ruth, (front) Laura, Lisa. Black and white, 9 copies - one mounted on cardstock
The Larry Nelson Family Gospel Singers, L-R: (back) Larry , Ruth, Lana, (front) Laura, Lisa. Color, 2 copies - one mounted on foamcore
The Larry Nelson Family Gospel Singers, L-R: Laura, Ruth, Larry, Lana, and Lisa Nelson. Black and white, mounted on foamcore
The Lawrence Family Performers, members unidentified. Sepia-toned and color, 3 copies, one mounted on foamcore
The Lewis Family with awards from The Society For The Preservation Of Bluegrass Music In America. L-R: (kneeling) Travis and Little Roy, (standing) Lewis, Pop, Polly, Janis, Wallace, and Miggie. Captioned photo release in vertical file. Ozark Cultural Resource Center gospel photos. Black and white
The musical group Harmony, L-R: Dave Smith, Mary Gillihan, Robert Gillihan; posed with instruments. Black and white, mounted on foamcore
The musical group Harmony, L-R: Dave Smith, Mary Gillihan, Robert Gillihan; posed with instruments. Black and white, mounted on foamcore
The musical group Harmony, L-R: Dave Smith, Mary Gillihan, Robert Gillihan. Sepia-toned, printed on photo paper, 2 copies - one mounted on foamcore
The Nashville Symphony Orchestra playing at the Grand Ole Opry with several popular Christian singers, L-R: 3 Richard Smallwood Singers, Michael Card, Susan Ashton, Steven Curtis Chapman, Margaret Becker, and the remaining 2 Richard Smallwood Singers. Information printed on back. Ozark Cultural Resource Center gospel photos. Black and white
Three unidentified people - two men and one woman - standing in front of a radio microphone. The man on the right appears to be writing. Black and white
Two members of the group The Bolton Brothers performing, unidentified. Black and white
Two women posing for the camera outside on the Ozark Folk Center grounds. One is wearing a white traditional-style dress, and the other is wearing a denim blouse with blue skirt. Color
Unidentified group of people - 7 men and 1 woman - standing in a recording studio. Black and white
Unidentified man and woman in the visitors center lobby at the Ozark Folk Center. The woman is wearing a floral jumper dress with a blue blouse, and the man is wearing a white polo shirt and a beige ball cap. The image is blurry from motion. Color
Unidentified man and woman posing in the visitors center lobby at the Ozark Folk Center. The woman is wearing a floral jumper dress with a blue blouse, and is giving the man bunny ears. The man is wearing a white polo shirt and a beige ball cap. Color
Unidentified man and woman sitting together in front of a fireplace. The woman is holding a banjo and wearing a long skirt and a jean jacket. The man is wearing a straw cowboy hat and cowboy boots and holding what appears to be an oversize song book. There is a guitar propped up beside their chair, almost out of frame. Black and white
Unidentified man and woman standing outside at a marina. Man is holding a packet of papers. Black and white
Unidentified man standing and looking at a hammered dulcimer. Color
Unidentified teenage girl with blonde hair, holding a fiddle. Photo looks like a school photograph. Color
Unidentified woman at a microphone, with a set of headphones on the music stand. Black and white
Unidentified woman wearing a gingham dress and sitting on some rocks in the woods, possibly on the Ozark Folk Center grounds
University of Arkansas at Little Rock dance group, Danscompany. Black and white
Wayne Williams singing. Ozark Cultural Resource Center gospel photos. Black and white
Young musician Brandon Apple. Black and white, mounted on foamcore
Youth musical duo, White River Belles, members unidentified. Sepia-toned, printed on photo paper, mounted on foamcore
Submissions from 1998
A blue classic car with its hood open. There are three trophies on the ground in front of the car. Other cars and visitors in background. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
A classic green convertible with its top closed and hood open, at beginning of a row of classic cars. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
A green tent with tables and snacks. There are visitors waiting in front of the tent. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
A table set up with two large speakers, several auto maintenance supplies, and manned by two people. There are two Walmart banners hanging from the front of the table. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
Attendees and speakers standing and talking on the new Bessie Moore deck, L-R: Greg Butts, Phillip Hogue, Gary Don Fletcher, Stan Graves. Color
Attendees and speakers standing and talking on the new Bessie Moore deck, L-R: Lynn Warren, Bill Young, Bethany Warren, Stan Graves, Greg Butts, Gary Liles. Color, 2 copies
Audience seated near the new deck, watching the dedication speakers. Color
A white tent with several people sitting in and near it. Some are wearing red T-shirts for the White River Auto Club. There is a red banner on one side of the tent, and a table of trophies behind it. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
A white tent with several people sitting in and near it. Some are wearing red T-shirts for the White River Auto Club. There is a red banner on one side of the tent, and a table of trophies behind it. There are two people walking in the foreground. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
A white tent with several people sitting in and near it. Some are wearing red T-shirts for the White River Auto Club. There is a table of trophies behind the tent. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
Barbershop quartet Mixed Company, members unidentified. Sepia-toned, printed on photo paper, 2 copies - one mounted on foamcore
Bill Young receiving ten-year pin and certificate. L-R: Richard Davies, Bill Young, Tony Perrin. Color
Bill Young standing at a podium that was set up on the new deck, as part of the Bessie Moore Memorial Dedication at the Ozark Folk Center. Other speakers sitting in background. Color
Bill Young standing at a podium that was set up on the new deck, as part of the Bessie Moore Memorial Dedication at the Ozark Folk Center. Other speakers sitting in background, the Bessie Moore memorial rock is in the foreground. Color
Bill Young standing at a podium that was set up on the new deck, as part of the Bessie Moore Memorial Dedication at the Ozark Folk Center. Other speakers sitting in background, with Bessie Moore memorial rock in foreground. Color
Bill Young standing at a podium that was set up on the new deck, as part of the Bessie Moore Memorial Dedication at the Ozark Folk Center. Other speakers sitting in background, with Bessie Moore memorial rock in foreground. Color, 2 copies
Brooke Tappan standing at a podium that was set up on the new deck, as part of the Bessie Moore Memorial Dedication at the Ozark Folk Center. Other speakers sitting in background. Color
Brooke Tappan standing at a podium that was set up on the new deck, as part of the Bessie Moore Memorial Dedication at the Ozark Folk Center. Other speakers sitting in background, with Bessie Moore memorial rock in foreground. Color
Cassie Neighbors standing at a podium that was set up on the new deck, as part of the Bessie Moore Memorial Dedication at the Ozark Folk Center. Other speakers sitting in background. Color
Cassie Neighbors standing at a podium that was set up on the new deck, as part of the Bessie Moore Memorial Dedication at the Ozark Folk Center. Other speakers sitting in background, with Bessie Moore memorial rock in foreground. Color
Classic cars lined up at the Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. A Model T Ford is in the center. Color
Close-up of a purple car with its hood open and a stuffed bee hanging inside. Other cars and visitors in the background. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
Close-up view of a model T Ford at the Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
Costumed character "Resource Raccoon" standing outside. Part of Cowboy Gathering events at the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Dancer Anne Harris. Color
Dancer Anne Harris. Green-tinted, mounted on foamcore
Dedication attendees sitting and standing outside the Craft Shop. Color
Dedication attendees sitting outside a building and watching the speakers. Color
Dedication speakers after cutting ceremonial ribbon on new deck, L-R: Stan Graves, Dr. Wesley Ketz, Polly Livingston, Gary Liles, Joe Wyatt, Gary Don Fletcher, Greg Butts, Bill Young, Jane Christensen, Richard W. Davies, Elizabeth Warner, Brooke Tappan, Chloe Kirksey, Cassie Neighbors, Lynn Warren. Color
Dedication speakers holding ceremonial ribbon on new deck, L-R: Stan Graves, Dr. Wesley Ketz, Polly Livingston, Gary Liles, Joe Wyatt, Gary Don Fletcher, Greg Butts, Bill Young, Jane Christensen, Richard W. Davies, Elizabeth Warner, Brooke Tappan, Chloe Kirksey, Cassie Neighbors, Lynn Warren. Color
Dedication speakers posed on new deck behind Bessie Moore memorial rock, L-R: (back) Bill Young, Greg Butts, Richard Davies, Chloe Kirksey, (center) Cassie Neighbors, Dr. Wesley Ketz, (front) Brooke Tappan, Elizabeth Warner, Joe Wyatt, Gary Liles, Polly Livingston, Jane Christensen. Color
Dedication speakers starting to cut ceremonial ribbon on new deck, L-R: Stan Graves, Dr. Wesley Ketz, Polly Livingston, Gary Liles, Joe Wyatt, Gary Don Fletcher, Greg Butts, Bill Young, Jane Christensen, Richard W. Davies, Elizabeth Warner, Brooke Tappan, Chloe Kirksey, Cassie Neighbors, Lynn Warren. Color
Dedication speakers starting to cut ceremonial ribbon on new deck, L-R: Stan Graves, Dr. Wesley Ketz, Polly Livingston, Gary Liles, Joe Wyatt, Gary Don Fletcher, Greg Butts, Bill Young, Jane Christensen, Richard W. Davies, Elizabeth Warner, Brooke Tappan, Chloe Kirksey, Cassie Neighbors, Lynn Warren. Color, 2 copies
General view of classic cars and visitors at the Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. A red classic pickup truck is in center of photo. Color
General view of classic cars and visitors at the Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
General view of classic cars and visitors at the Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
General view of motorcycles and visitors at the Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
General view of motorcycles and visitors at the Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
General view of visitors and classic cars against the hilly landscape in the background. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
General view of visitors and classic cars. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
General view of visitors looking at classic cars at the Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
General view taken from slightly up-hill of the Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Lawn in foreground. Color
General view taken from slightly up-hill of the Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Lawn in foreground. Color
General view taken from slightly up-hill of the Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Lawn in foreground. Color
Greg Butts standing at a podium that was set up on the new deck, as part of the Bessie Moore Memorial Dedication at the Ozark Folk Center. Other speakers sitting and Richard Davies returning to his seat in background. Color
Greg Butts standing at a podium that was set up on the new deck, as part of the Bessie Moore Memorial Dedication at the Ozark Folk Center. Other speakers sitting in background. Color
