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 1979
Man and woman eating by a window in the Ozark Folk Center restaurant. Black and white, includes negative
Marlyn Johnson in traditional dress seated outdoors playing dulcimer. Color
Marlyn Johnson in traditional dress seated outdoors playing dulcimer. Color
Marlyn Johnson in traditional dress seated outdoors playing dulcimer. Trees in background. Color
Marlyn Johnson in traditional dress seated outdoors playing dulcimer with Kevin Horsely and dog. Color
Marlyn Johnson in traditional dress seated outdoors playing dulcimer with Kevin Horsely and dog. Color
Marlyn Johnson in traditional dress seated outdoors with dog playing dulcimer. Color
Marlyn Johnson in traditional dress seated outdoors with dog playing dulcimer. Tress in background. Color
Marlyn Johnson playing dulcimer in traditional dress seated outdoors with Kevin Horsely and dog. Group in entrance of log and tin shanty-like structure. Old fashioned milk urn and wood burning stove visible in background. Color
Marlyn Johnson playing dulcimer seated outdoors in traditional dress. Color
Marvin Morrison playing mandolin in front of stone wall on the Ozark Folk Center grounds. Black and white
Mel Broder pouring wax into a candle mold. Color
Mike Sutter on guitar with Red Gillihan on porch set. Black and white
Mitch Alderman, gunsmith, seated working on longrifle in workshop. Color
Mitch Alderman, gunsmith, seated working on longrifle in workshop. Color
Mitch Alderman, gunsmith, standing working on wooden gun stock of longrifle in workshop. Color
Mitch Alderman working on object in table clamp in workshop. Color
Morrison children in singing performance. Individuals (L-R): Marvin, Kathy and Richard Morrison. Possibly photographed on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Black and white
Musical group The Moody Family playing at the Ozark Folk Center, L-R: Greg, Susan, Roger and Mona Faye Moody. Black and white
Musician Jean Simmons sitting with three unidentified people - a woman in a floral print blouse, a man wearing a Parks staff uniform, and a man in a suit. Possibly located in the Ozark Folk Center restaurant. People sitting at other tables in background. Black and white
Musicians from L-R: Bob Blair on guitar, Roger Fountain on fiddle, Jean Simantt (sic) on bass. Black and white [Err, Jean Simmons]
Musicians L-R: Bookmiller Shannon on banjo, Lonnie Avey on guitar, and Adrian Parks on fiddle at the Ozark Folk Center. Black and white
Musicians Michael (Milaki) and Misty Neuman posed with instruments. Black and white, 2 copies, mounted on foamcore
Musicians performing on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Individuals (L-R): Athlea Moody with mandolin, Dicie Johnson on mandolin, Otis Johnson with fiddle, James Oden with guitar, and Elmer Moody with guitar. Partial view of children dancing in background. Color
Musicians performing on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Individuals (L-R): Dean Hinesly, Walter Gosser, and Guy Gammill, all with guitars. Unidentified women in traditional dress and stage props in background. Color
Musicians performing on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Individuals (L-R):Kenneth Crymes with tub bass, Kenneth Gosser with dobro, Melvin Wrinkle with guitar, and Roy Wrinkle with guitar. Stage props visible in background. Color
Musicians playing on outdoor stage with audience seated on stage's edge. Musicians (L-R): Lonnie Avery with guitar, Bookmiller Shannon, and Fate Morrison with fiddle standing. Photographed on the Ozark Folk Center grounds. Black and white
Musicians seated outdoors playing instruments. Unidentified woman and girl seated with musicians. Individuals (L-R): Fate Morrison with fiddle, partial view of Richard Morrison, partial view of unidentified woman, unidentified girl, Harlie Dampf with banjo, and Ralph Strayer with guitar. Color
Musicians seated outdoors playing instruments. Unidentified woman and girl seated with musicians. Individuals (L-R): Fate Morrison with fiddle, Richard Morrison with fiddle, unidentified woman, Marvin Morrison with mandolin, unidentified girl, Harlie Dampf with banjo, and Ralph Strayer with guitar. Color
Older woman seated on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium outdoor stage. Color
Oneta Huneycutt in traditional dress making lye soap outdoors in hanging cauldron. Photographed on the Ozark Folk Center grounds. Black and white
Percy Copeland, Lonnie Avery, and Bookmiller Shannon, musicians, seated outdoors playing instruments. Individuals (L-R): Copeland with harmonica, Avery with guitar, and Shannon with banjo. Color
Percy Copeland, Lonnie Avery, and Bookmiller Shannon, musicians, seated outdoors playing instruments. Individuals (L-R): Copeland with harmonica, Avery with guitar, and Shannon with banjo. Color
Percy Copeland playing harmonica on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Partial view of Adrian Parks on left. Color
Percy Copeland playing harmonica on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Partial view of Adrian Parks on left. Color
Photograph of drawing of aerial view of the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Picnic bench and tall trees covered in snow. Color
Pink and white blooming trees, with a structure in the background. Color
Porter Young standing near the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Audie Sutton and Dave Stewart [unidentified] seated in background. Color
Portrait of Jack Quaill, a member the Arkansas Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission, wearing a suit and State Parks badge. Color
Publicity photo of Dry Branch Fire Squad, members unidentified. Black and white, 2 copies
Publicity photo of musical group Walt Michael & Company, members unidentified. Black and white
Rear side view of shack. Location unknown. Color
Rear view of J. Willliam Fulbright with unidentified individuals in front of him taking photos during Craft Forum on the Ozark Folk Center grounds. Color
Rear view of log cabin. Unidentified individuals visbile to right of cabin. Tree and rocks in foreground. Black and white
Rear view of miniature house with miniature grill, clothes line, wood pile, gate, trees, and woman in traditional dress. Part of an Amana Colony Replica set. Black and white
Rear view of miniature lumber yard. Miniature planks of wood and pallets visible. Part of an Amana Colony Replica set. Black and white
Richard Bevington. Black and white
Ross Roper, blacksmith, at work in blacksmith shop of the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Ross Roper, blacksmith, at work in front of forge, maneuvering unknown object in flame with irons. Photographed in the blacksmith shop of the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Ross Roper, blacksmith, at work in front of forge. Photographed in the blacksmith shop of the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Ross Roper, blacksmith, in blacksmith shop of the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Ross Roper, blacksmith, working over open flame in blacksmith workshop on the Ozark Folk Center grounds. Black and white
Ross Roper, blacksmith, working with object in forge flame. Photographed in the blacksmith shop of the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Ross Roper standing over an open flame outside, possibly grilling. Color
Row of unidentified individuals, mostly women, seated in the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium seating. Color
Roy Huneycutt working on primative wooden furiture in shop. Color
Ruby [surname unknown] seated against painted cinder block wall. Color
Several Arkansas musicians playing on the steps of the capitol building in Washington D.C., L-R (standing): Jimmy Driftwood, Willie Morrison, Hubert Kendrick, Charles Johnson, Buddy Lancaster, Bookmiller Shannon, Tommy Simmons. Also pictured are two policitians (seated): Tuck Gathings and Arkansas Congressmen Wilbur D. Mills. Labeled on back. Color
Several unidentified men on stage. There are some trophies on the floor. In the center of the photo is a man handing a large trophy to another man wearing a hat. Black and white
Side view of shack. Location unknown. Color
Sloan Leslie working on gun stock in workshop. Unfinished wooden gun stocks leaning on wall in background. Color
Square dancers performing on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Group mostly unidentified individuals. Back of John Dink and side view of Kermit Taylor in foreground. Color
Square dancers performing on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Group mostly unidentified individuals. Mostly unidentified individuals. Audie Sutton in center. Back view of Kermit Taylor. Color
Square dancers performing on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Group mostly unidentified individuals. Terrie Batton in center. Color
Square dancers performing on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Olin and Retha Finley on left. Dave and Opal Stewart on right. Other unidentified square dancers in background. Color
Square dancers performing on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Olin Finley and Opal Stewart in foreground. Other unidentified square dancers in background. Color
Square dancers performing on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Unidentified individuals seated in background and square dancers in circle. John Dink and Maedell Lancaster in center of square dance circle. Color
Square dancers performing on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Unidentified individuals seated in background and square dancers in circle. Stage props visible in background. Color
Square dancers performing on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Unidentified women and stage props in background. Color
Squirrel in tree. Photographed by Forrest Sloan. Caption on back. Color
Staff band, L-R: Herschell Hall, Charley Richardson, Ervin Freeze, John Taylor, Daniel Hall. Color, mounted on foamcore
Terrie Batton in traditional dress, sitting on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Stage props visible in background. Color
The Arkansas Tourist Information Center at Texarkana. There are some people outside the building. Black and white
The Copelands, musical family group, performing on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Members (L-R): Dale Copland with autoharp, Wilma Copeland Golden singing, and Betty Copeland with guitar. Color
The plans for the Ozark Folk Center grounds on an easel, a man in the foreground looking at them. Black and white
The Simmons Family, musical family group, performing on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Members (L-R): Renne with dancing doll, Jean with dulcimer, Pam with dulcimer, and Tom with guitar. Color
Three unidentified girls in traditional dress on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Unidentified woman and man on stage right. Color
Three unidentified men looking at what appears to be an early design for the Ozark Folk Center grounds. Black and white
Tommy Simmons playing guitar. Color
Two unidentified girls in pool. Pool located on the Ozark Folk Center grounds behind the Cabins at Dry Creek office. Color
Two unidentified men performing on stage, playing fiddle and guitar. A sign in front of them reads "Roger Fountain." Black and white
Two unidentified women, one in traditional dress, seated outdoors cooking. One making apple butter and the other making hominy in large kettles. Photographed on the Ozark Folk Center grounds. Black and white
"Uncle" Floyd Holland singing and performing with banjo on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Unidentified woman and stage props visible in background. Color
"Uncle" Floyd Holland singing and performing with banjo on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Unidentified women and stage props visible in background. Color
Unidentified girl jumping off diving board into pool. Second unidentified girl in pool. Pool located on the Ozark Folk Center grounds behind the Cabins at Dry Creek office. Color
Unidentified individuals dancing on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Color
Unidentified individuals seated around long table with Charles Sandage at head. Appears to be a conference room at the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Unidentified individuals, some in traditional dress, dancing on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Color
Unidentified man and woman near waterfall at Blanchard Springs Caverns in the Ozark National Forest. Color.
Unidentified man and woman near waterfall at Blanchard Springs Caverns in the Ozark National Forest. Color.
Unidentified man holding a string of fish, standing in a park. Other people and cars in background. Color
Unidentified man, woman, and teen walking one of the trails at Blanchard Springs Caverns. Color
Unidentified Ozark Folk Center visitor looking at various items in gift shop. Color
Unidentified teen with camera tripod, walking one of the trails at Blanchard Springs Caverns. Color
Unidentified tourists walking on Ozark Folk Center grounds during Craft Forum. Color
Unidentified woman and boy dancing on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Unidentified boy with guitar in background. Color
Unidentified woman and man seated next to painted cinder block wall. Color
Unidentified woman making taper candles with old fashioned candle dipping device. Photographed on the Ozark Folk Center grounds. Black and white
Various individuals, some in traditional dress, dancing on the Ozark Folk Center Main Auditorium stage. Color
