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.
Submissions from 2020
Sherman Anderson and Audrey Gilliam. Color, mounted on foamcore
Sherman Anderson and Audrey Gilliam. Color, mounted on foamcore
Sheryl Irvine holding dulcimer. Black and white, mounted on foamcore
Sheryl Irvine on dulcimer. Black and white, 2 copies
Shirley Blackwell. Black and white, 2 copies, mounted on foamcore
Simeon Magby with fiddle and John Taylor with banjo. Black and white, 3 copies
Singer and guitarist Audrey Gilliam. Black and white, mounted on cardboard
Sisters Nellie and Ruth Yandell with Porter Wagoner and a group of unidentified women. Color
Sloan Lessley in gun shop at Ozark Folk Center. Black and white
Steve Abbott, Dancer. Sepia-toned; mounted on foamcore
Steve and Kathy Abbott, Dancers. Color; mounted on foamcore
Studio photo of Jesse Morris posing with guitar. Autographed. Black and white
The Buck Dancers from Tennessee, members unidentified. Black and white, mounted on foamcore
The Falderal String Band, members unidentified. Black and white, mounted on cardstock
The Leatherwoods - members unidentified. Black and white
Three chains carved from wood by John Arnold. Black and white
Three-piece chain carved from wood by John Arnold. Black and white
Three women in The Leatherettes - unidentified. Sepia-toned, mounted on foamcore
Tommy Simmons and one of his daughters performing. Black and white
Tommy Simmons with one of his daughters (possibly Renee). Black and white
Two unidentified musicians playing banjoes. Black and white
Unidentified adult clogging group. Black and white, mounted on foamcore
Unidentified adult clogging group. Color, mounted on foamcore
Unidentified basketry image. Black and white
Unidentified basketry image. Black and white
Unidentified basketry image. Black and white
Unidentified basketry image. Black and white
Unidentified basketry image. Black and white
Unidentified basketry image. Photo from Cooperative Extension Service. Black and white
Unidentified basketry image. Photo from Cooperative Extension Service. Black and white
Unidentified basket workshop attendee. Black and white
Unidentified basket workshop attendee. Black and white
Unidentified basket workshop attendee. Black and white
Unidentified blacksmith. Black and white
Unidentified blacksmith. Black and white
Unidentified blacksmith. Black and white
Unidentified blacksmith. Black and white
Unidentified boy on stilts in the Ozark Folk Center craft area. Black and white
Unidentified boy playing with hoop and stick in Ozark Folk Center craft area. Black and white
Unidentified dancers and musicians at Ozark Folk Center square dance. Black and white
Unidentified dancers and musicians at Ozark Folk Center square dance. Black and white
Unidentified dancers and musicians at Ozark Folk Center square dance. Black and white
Unidentified dancers and musicians at the jig, Ozark Folk Center. Black and white
Unidentified dancers and musicians at the jig, Ozark Folk Center. Black and white
Unidentified dancers and musicians at the jig, Ozark Folk Center. Black and white, 2 copies
Unidentified dancers performing a jig in the Ozark Folk Center large auditorium. Color, 3 copies
Unidentified fiddle contest winners. Black and white, 2 copies
Unidentified group dancing the jig at the Ozark Folk Center. Black and white
Unidentified group dancing the jig at the Ozark Folk Center. Black and white
Unidentified group dancing the jig at the Ozark Folk Center. Black and white
Unidentified group dancing the jig at the Ozark Folk Center. Black and white, 2 copies
Unidentified group, labeled as cabin chinking crew. Black and white
Unidentified group square dancing at Ozark Folk Center. Black and white, 2 copies
Unidentified group square dancing at Ozark Folk Center. Black and white, 3 copies
Unidentified group square dancing at Ozark Folk Center. Black and white, 3 copies
Unidentified hammered dulcimer contest winners holding trophies. Black and white
Unidentified man playing the fiddle. Black and white, 6 copies
Unidentified man singing shape-notes. Black and white
Unidentified man viewing herb display. Black and white
Unidentified man, wearing a top hat, standing next to a seated donkey. Black and white
Unidentified man with banjo, member of The Skirtlifters. Black and white
Unidentified musicians and spectators at Ozark Folk Center jig. Black and white
Unidentified musicians playing for jig at the Ozark Folk Center. Black and white
Unidentified people watching soap-making demonstration at Ozark Folk Center. Black and white