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
Unidentified people watching soap-making demonstration at Ozark Folk Center. Black and white
Unidentified square dancers in the Ozark Folk Center large auditorium. Color, 2 copies
Unidentified visitors and interpreter in Ozark Folk Center print shop. Color, 3 copies
Unidentified visitors in craft shop at the Ozark Folk Center. Color
Unidentified visitors outside the Ozark Folk Center main building. Black and white
Unidentified woman making candles. Black and white
Unidentified woman making candles. Black and white
Unidentified woman playing guitar. Black and white
Unidentified woman working at the potter's wheel. Black and white
Unidentified women in the Ozark Folk Center herb garden. Color
Unidentified youth clogging group. Autographed. Black and white
Unidentified youth clogging group from Missouri. Black and white
Vernon Roper cutting wax from candle-rack. Black and white, 2 copies
Vernon Roper making several batches of candles. Black and white
Vernon Roper splitting wood, possibly for shingles. Black and white
Vicky Hill. Black and white, 2 copies, mounted on foamcore
View of Ozark Folk Center craft area. Black and white, 2 copies
View of stalactites inside a cave, possibly Blanchard Springs. Black and white negative
View of the Ozark Folk Center Craft Area. Black and white
View through window showing collapsed roof on log schoolhouse cabin. Black and white, 2 copies
Violet Taylor performing on banjo. Black and white
Walter Case. Black and white [mounted on foamcore], 2 copies
Walter Robinson. Ozark Cultural Resource Center gospel photos. Black and white
Walter Robinson. Ozark Cultural Resource Center gospel photos. Black and white
Walter Robinson. Ozark Cultural Resource Center gospel photos. Black and white
Walter Robinson. Ozark Cultural Resource Center gospel photos. Black and white
Waymon Evans demonstrating basket making, Ozark Folk Center. Black and white
Weaver Clarice Chitwood dyeing thread or yarn. Black and white
Wesley Hinesley. Black and white, 2 copies, mounted on foamcore
Woodcarver Jim Nelson. Black and white, 2 copies, mounted on foamcore
Woodcarver Jim Nelson working. Black and white
Woodcarver Jim Nelson working. Black and white, 2 copies
Woodcarver Jim Nelson working outside. Black and white, 3 copies, different sizes
Wood carver Nona Hastings. Black and white
Wood carving items for sale at the Ozark Folk Center. Black and white
Xiao Xiannian performing on the yangqin, Chinese dulcimer. Color, 2 copies
Submissions from 2009
Autoharp player Alex Usher. Black and white
Musical duo KG & The Ranger, Karen Gogolick and Rick Roltgen, posed in a field with guitar. Color
Musical group Gone South, posed with instruments, members unidentified. Color
Musical group The Skirtlifters posed with instruments, members unidentified. Color
Musician Esther Kreek posed with hammered dulcimer. Black and white, 3 copies
Portrait of singer Judy Cook, Black and white, 2 copies
Portrait of singer Mary Leavitt. Color
Portrait of storyteller Kevin Kling. Black and white, 2 copies
Publicity photo of 8-member band with string instruments, members unidentified. Black and white
Publicity photo of Bill Barwick performing. Black and white
Publicity photo of Clearwater Connection: Bill and Doris, no last names given. Black and white
Publicity photo of Dale Ann Bradley. Black and white
Publicity photo of guitarist Don Edwards. Black and white
Publicity photo of guitarist Duke Davis. Black and white
Publicity photo of guitarist Mike Dowling. Black and white
Publicity photo of musical duo Ann and Phil Case. Black and white
Publicity photo of musical group Bailey Jester, brothers Matt Jordan and Young Stryker
Publicity photo of musical group Bottomline, members unidentified. Black and white
Publicity photo of musical group Fast Forward, members unidentified. Black and white
Publicity photo of musical group Steppin' In It, members unidentified. Black and white
Publicity photo of musical group The Chuck Wagon Gang, members unidentified. Black and white
Publicity photo of musical group The Fritts Family, members unidentified. Black and white
Publicity photo of musical group The Mammals, members unidentified. Black and white
Publicity photo of musical group The Steep Canyon Rangers, members unidentified. Black and white
Publicity photo of musical group The Whites, members unidentified. Black and white
Publicity photo of musical group Uncle Earl, members unidentified. Color
Publicity photo of musician Andy Glandt. Black and white
Publicity photo of musician Dale Ann Bradley playing guitar. Black and white
Publicity photo of musician Jonathan Byrd. Black and white
Publicity photo of musician Leroy New, sitting on fence by wagon wheel. Color
Publicity photo of musician Patty Clayton. Black and white
Publicity photo of musician Paul Thorn. Black and white
Publicity photo of musician Ricky Skaggs, playing mandolin. Black and white