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 1998
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
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
Jack McGee, stone artist who designed the Dr. Bessie Boehm Moore rock, sitting on the newly installed work. Color
Jane Christensen 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
Jane Christensen 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
Line up of classic cars with their hoods open, several visitors standing among the cars. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
Man walking along a row of cars, among which a blue classic car is prominent in the foreground. Other cars and visitors in background. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
Photo of the long line formed at the food tent. Other visitors and cars in background. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
Pop Ramsey sitting on newly installed Dr. Bessie Boehm Moore rock at the Ozark Folk Center. Color, 2 copies
Richard Davies 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
Richard Davies 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
Richard Davies 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
Richard Davies 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
Several men looking in the hood of a red car, other cars and visitors in photo. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
Several visitors walking among and looking at a row of classic cars. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
Stuffed animal wearing overalls and a ball cap and posed as though looking into the hood of a classic car. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
Two men standing next to their motorcycles at the Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
Two people riding on a motorcycle. They are wearing helmets and leather jackets and chaps. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
Two trailers set up to sell classic auto T-shirts and other memorabilia. There are several visitors milling about the stands. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
Two unidentified men playing guitars and singing by a bonfire. There is a stone building and fence behind them. Part of Cowboy Gathering events at the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Two unidentified men playing guitars and singing by a bonfire, view from the side. There is a picnic table behind them. Part of Cowboy Gathering events at the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Two unidentified State Parks employees with costumed character Smokey Bear, standing outside near a display panel. Part of Cowboy Gathering events at the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Two visitors looking at a blue station wagon with its hood open. Other cars and visitors in the background. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
Unidentified group fo people sitting and standing between two classic cars at the Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
Unidentified man playing guitar and singing in a small room. He is wearing books, a vest, a red bandana, and a hat. There is a small backdrop area with hay bales and a red cloth behind him. Part of Cowboy Gathering events at the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Unidentified man sitting and playing guitar on stage in the Ozark Folk Center large auditorium. He is wearing a hat and vest. Part of Cowboy Gathering events. Color
Unidentified man sitting and playing guitar on stage in the Ozark Folk Center large auditorium. He is wearing a hat and vest. Part of Cowboy Gathering events. Color
Unidentified man speaking at a podium on stage in the Ozark Folk Center large auditorium. He is wearing a hat, boots, and fringed deerskin coat. Part of Cowboy Gathering events. Color
Unidentified man speaking at a podium on stage in the Ozark Folk Center large auditorium. He is wearing a hat, boots, and fringed deerskin coat. Part of Cowboy Gathering events. Color
Unidentified man storytelling in a small room. There is a small backdrop area with hay bales and a red cloth behind him, and the audience is sitting around the edges of the room. Part of Cowboy Gathering events at the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Unidentified man storytelling in a small room. There is a small backdrop area with hay bales and a red cloth behind him, and the audience is sitting around the edges of the room. Part of Cowboy Gathering events at the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Unidentified men looking at small motors that are mounted on a trailer attached to an RV. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
Unidentified men looking at small motors that are mounted on a trailer. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
Unidentified people seated around a bonfire. Part of Cowboy Gathering events at the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Unidentified people seated around a bonfire with two men in background playing guitar and singing. Part of Cowboy Gathering events at the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Unidentified people seated around a bonfire with two men in background playing guitar and singing. Part of Cowboy Gathering events at the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Unidentified people seated around bonfire. The musicians are not pictured in this photo. Part of Cowboy Gathering events at the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Unidentified people seated around bonfire with two men playing guitar and singing. Part of Cowboy Gathering events at the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Unidentified people seated a tables near a bonfire with two men in background playing guitar and singing. Part of Cowboy Gathering events at the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Unidentified people sitting at tables covered in red and white checkered cloths, set up outside around a bonfire. Two men in background playing guitar and singing. Part of Cowboy Gathering events at the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Unidentified visitors looking at motorcycles at an Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
Unidentified visitors looking at motorcycles at an Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. There is a grassy lawn in the background. Color
Unidentified visitors looking at motorcycles at an Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. There is an empty trailer in the foreground. Color
Unidentified woman looking in the window of a red classic pickup truck at the Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
View of a group of trees with the Ozark Folk Center parking lot behind them. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
View of a model T Ford at the Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
View of Ozark Folk Center parking lot, taken from slightly up-hill near set of wooden steps that leads from front gate into Folk Center grounds. Auto Show, Ozark Folk Center. Color
Visitors participating in craft activities at tables set up outside in the demonstration area at the Ozark Folk Center. Part of Cowboy Gathering events. Color
Young musician Garrett Judice playing accordion. Color
Submissions from 1997
Ann Durand standing next to the bronze statue of Ernest Tubb at its unveiling in Nashville, Tennessee. Color
Bill Young posed with unidentified man. Young is recipient of Tom Biggs Award for Excellence in Tourism from the Ozark Gateway Council. Color, 2 copies
Bill Young posed with unidentified woman. He is recipient of Tom Biggs Award for Excellence in Tourism from the Ozark Gateway Council. Color
Bob Anderson demonstrating barrel-making in the Cooper Shop at Ozark Folk Center. Color
Governor Mike Huckabee walking on stilts in the Ozark Folk Center craft area. His wife, Janet, is in the background. Color
Interior view of the Ozark Folk Center gift shop. Color
Interior view of the Ozark Folk Center gift shop. Color
Janet Huckabee walking on stilts in the Ozark Folk Center craft area. Unidentified man watching from behind fence in background. Color
M.C. Glenn's gourd art display in the Herb Cabin. Color
Mike Huckabee speaking on stage, behind a podium, at the Ozark Folk Center. There is a large banner behind him that reads "Welcome to Arkansas The Natural State." Color
Musician Bess Kelley performing on guitar in the large auditorium at Ozark Folk Center. Color
Ray "Pop" Ramsey splitting wood at the Ozark Folk Center Harvest Fest. Color
Unidentified cloggers at the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Submissions from 1996
Autographed snapshot of House Peters, Jr. at the Iverson Movie Ranch in Chatsworth, California. He is waving his hat, and there are several people milling in the background. There also appears to be some individuals signing their names in a fresh cement sidewalk. Color
Bill McNeil and Barbara Wehrman looking at a magzine, Ozark Folk Center. Labeled on back. Color
Bill McNeil performing at Ozark Folk Center. Color
Bill McNeil performing at Ozark Folk Center. Color
Bill McNeil performing at Ozark Folk Center. Color
Elliott Hancock seated in an audience. Color
Elliott Hancock walking in front of musicians identified as Joe Sasser and Friends. Color
Guitarist Glenn Ohrlin performing at the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Joe Sassner with four other musicians, all unidentified, performing at the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Resource Management Award - three unidentified men. The man in the center is holding the plaque and is a state parks employee. He is flanked by two men; both are wearing suits, matching ties, and eighth of a cent badges. Photo taken at the Ferndale 4H Center. Labeled on back. Color
Storyteller Frank Jones performing at Ozark Folk Center. Color
Susan Young (storyteller) performing at Ozark Folk Center. Color
Submissions from 1995
Bill Young and Governor Jim Tucker in the Ozark Folk Center craft area. Color
Governor Jim Tucker (left) mingling at a reception at the Ozark Folk Center, speaking with Lynn Wyatt and an unidentified man. Deb Mullins standing in background. Color
Governor Jim Tucker (left) mingling at a reception at the Ozark Folk Center, with Julie Stow in traditional costume. Color
Governor Jim Tucker (left) mingling at a reception at the Ozark Folk Center, with Mike Sutter (center) and Roger Rorie (right). Color
Harpist Betsy Ross. Black and white, mounted on foamcore
Lillian and Ruth Hammer posing with guitar and fiddle. Original caption: "The 'Hammer Sisters' Lillian & Ruth, 1995." Part of a set of 6 photos originally mounted on a piece of cardboard with a hand-written caption beneath the photo. Black and white
Musician Jody Nelson holding a guitar. Black and white, mounted on foamcore
Musicians Barbara and John Taylor with Tom Cleveland. Black and white, mounted on foamcore
Musicians John Taylor with Debra and Bob Davis. Black and white, mounted on foamcore
Musicians Sue Lukens and Raymond Creasy. Black and white
Musicians Sue Lukens and Raymond Creasy. Sepia-toned, mounted on foamcore
Musician Sue Lukens. Black and white
Ruth Hawkins standing with Juanita Lynch, unidentified men in background. Original caption: "N.T.C.M.A. Festival - Avoca, Ia. 1995, Ruth Hawkins of The Hammer Sisters & Clayton McMichen's daughter Juanita Lynch." Part of a set of 6 photos mounted on a piece of cardboard with a hand-written caption beneath the photo. Color
The Hammer sisters performing on stage. Original caption: "Snyder Bluegrass Festival - 1995 Lawrenceburg, Mo. The 'Hammer Sisters'." Part of a set of 6 photos originally mounted on a piece of cardboard with a hand-written caption beneath the photo. Color
The Hammer Sisters performing on stage with several other unidentified musicians. Original caption: "The 'Hammer Sisters' N.T.C.M.A. Festival Avoca, Iowa, 1995." Part of a set of 6 photos originally mounted on a piece of cardboard with a hand-written caption beneath the photo. Color
The Hammer Sisters performing with a third unidentified woman playing bass. Original caption: "The 'Hammer Sisters' Green Country Bluegrass Show Claremore, Oklahoma, 1995." Part of a set of 6 photos originally mounted on a piece of cardboard with a hand-written caption beneath the photo. Black and white
The Hammer Sisters playing for an event at the Granby Historical Museum in Missouri. Original caption: "Old Mining Town Days Celebration, Granby, Mo. 1995 at Granby Historical Museum, The 'Hammer Sisters'." Part of a set of 6 photos originally mounted on a piece of cardboard with a hand-written caption beneath the photo. Color
Young fiddler John Baird. Sepia-toned, mounted on foamcore
Young musicians Brad Apple, John Baird, and Jodie Nelson. Black and white
Submissions from 1994
Dancer David Blair. Black and white, mounted on foamcore
Guitarist Denny Goodnow. Sepia-toned, mounted on foamcore
Guitarists Theda Shirley, Carroll Linn, and Robert Hancock. Black and white, mounted on foamcore
James Grissette. Black and white, mounted on foamcore
Joe Jewell playing the hammered dulcimer. Black and white
Linda Gardner. Black and white, mounted on foamcore
Musical group Brush Arbor: Simeon Magby, Gretchen and Robert Hancock. Black and white, mounted on foamcore
