This is the new blog of the Ozark Folk Center. We combine a unique mix of Ozark Folk Music, traditional Ozark Mountain Crafts, a fantastic organic Heritage Herb Garden,
good old fashioned southern cooking at the Skillet Restaurant, a comfortable place to rest at the Dry Creek Lodge. gorgeous trails to hike, birds to watch and so much more, all in an Arkansas State Park!
The pictures are of Tina Marie and Kathleen working on the Butterfly Hill Garden. Tina’s gardens are so special. Not only are they a treat for the eye, like most gardens, but they delight all the senses. Just stroll along the paths and smell how the herb and flower scents intermingle. Listen as the birds and insects work busily in the organic gardens. Ask Tina and she’ll happily allow you to taste herbs and greens that are planted among the flowers. The gardens are worth coming to the Folk Center, all by themselves.
But, the birds are not the only music at the Ozark Folk Center. Pickin’ and fiddlin’ is most often goin’ on up on the outdoor stage, next to the knife maker’s shop. Sometimes, the instrument makers will step outside their shop to test the strings on the newest dulcimer. Many of the artisans are musicians, so song accompanies the work of their hands.
There are 22 craft houses scattered throughout the Ozark Folk Center craft village. Follow the paths to visit with artisans who are more than happy to show you how they create brooms the old-fashioned way by hand tying them, or spin yarn from sheep’s wool (some days the sheep are right there next to the Spinning and Weaving house) or carve a wooden spoon in the cooper’s shed or make soap over a fire in a big cast iron kettle.
We are in Mountain View, Arkansas. Visit the Ozark Folk Center web site for more information, or just follow the map and come on out to visit. See you soon!
