Outdoor writer and photographer Corbet Deary is featured regularly in The Sentinel-Record. Today, Deary writes about Ozark Folk Center State Park.
I can recall visiting Ozark Folk Center State Park on many occasions when I lived in the quaint town of Mountain View. My visits lessened, however, when I eventually moved back to Hot Springs.
Several years have since elapsed since I have returned to the park. I have rolled through Mountain View a few times throughout the years, but time was always limited. I usually had a full itinerary and was bound by a tight schedule.
But not a visit to the north-central section of the state occurred, however, when I didn't make a mental note to return when I had ample time to stop in at the park and experience a stroll through an era when things were much different from what we are accustomed to today.
Todd Frazior, his son, Whitt, and I recently embarked upon a drive to the Ozarks with one destination in mind. That's right; we were headed to the Ozark Folk Center and had the luxury of spending an entire day at the destination if we so desired. Although I anticipated my return to the facility, the drive was practically as enjoyable. We had a choice of three different routes that would ultimately lead us to the same destination, all of which were fairly comparable in travel time.
We could travel via Interstates 30 and 40 to U.S. 67/167 and through Jacksonville. The highway would soon lead to the Cabot exit, where we would head north on Highway 5 to Mountain View.
We could also travel to Conway via Interstates 30, 430 and 40, where we would head north of Arkansas 65 to Clinton. From Clinton, we would take a right onto Highway 16, which eventually intersects with Highway 9, which leads into Mountain View.
But we chose my favorite route. In lieu of traveling on the interstate, we headed north on Highway 5 and turned left on Highway 9 at the Crow community. Continuing along a rural route, we eventually turned left and remained on Highway 9 at Williams Junction. The road made its way through Perryville, Morrilton and in the midst of several small communities before hitting Highway 65 at Choctaw.
We turned left at this point and followed the road through Clinton before taking a right back onto Highway 16 east at the city's edge. We eventually took a right back onto Highway 9 and remained on the winding route until reaching Mountain View, where we turned right and traveled a short distance before taking a left onto Highway 14.
From the intersection, we traveled a few miles and simply followed the signs leading to the state park's parking area.
We had the luxury of getting ample sleep before embarking upon our journey, as the facility does not open 'till 10 in the morning. Aware the destination was only three hours away, we didn't leave Hot Springs until about 7 a.m.
Arriving at the parking area shortly after they opened their doors for the day, we headed up the steep hill and purchased our tickets at the visitor center. And nothing more than stepping out the back door and into the park took us to an era when folks weren't so dependent upon an ever-growing technology. It was a time when folks depended upon somewhat primitive tools and an ability to work with one's hands.
A replica of an old schoolhouse was our first stop. I enjoyed peering at some of the photos posted inside a display case. However, I was most intrigued with benches built from rough-cut lumber and an old wood stove situated in the room's corner.
Although one who still finds value in manual labor and an ability to work with one's hands, I certainly recognized the benefits of our recent educational facilities, compared to what the students of yesteryear had at their disposal.
From the schoolhouse, we walked a few feet and entered a building where a kind lady was building dolls from corn husks. She shared interesting stories of a time when children were not privy to boxes full of toys, and how a majority of their playthings were a result of improvisation, using what they had available at home.
The Folk Center boasts more than "21 artisans demonstrating Ozark heritage crafts." Each and every craft was interesting. However, there were those that I found most intriguing.
We spent a little time chewing the fat with the lady who was adept at basket weaving, and I certainly enjoyed a conversation with the fella who re-caned chair bottoms, as my mother was actually adept at the same craft.
We strolled through the herb garden, but hurried, as the sound of metal pounding metal was a sure indication that we neared the blacksmith station. In fact, I'm pretty sure that we all three could have remained at this one spot for pretty much the entire day.
The knifemaker was kind enough to sharpen my pocket knife. But I most enjoyed admiring his craftsmanship as he fielded our questions pertaining to various metals and techniques.
I was also eager to enter the small building that focused on quilting, as this particular craft brought back wonderful memories. While watching the lady stitch patchwork, I recalled a time when my mom, grandmother and great-grandmother gathered around a quilting frame and fellowshipped while making beautiful covers.
I enjoyed a stop at the wood carving station, as well. But again, my mind was elsewhere. I knew a pottery studio was not much more than a stone's throw away. I had been bitten by the pottery bug as a child. I had 14 semesters of pottery classes under my belt and had actually worked as a potter earlier in my life. So I couldn't wait to admire the local artisans' work and talk a little shop.
I also eagerly awaited the opportunity to watch the fella who highlighted letterpress printing, as I had also previously worked for a printing business. Of course, the tools this fella used were far more primitive than what I had been introduced to. But it was still enjoyable to watch him work his magic and share interesting information pertaining to the craft.
We managed to visit every station throughout the park before the outing's end. We watched as a lady produced brooms by hand, weaving, yarn spinning, candle making, glasswork and listened to some pretty good music along the way.
And although I left the state park with an appreciation for many of the devices that technology has given us, I also left with a better knowledge and appreciation of those who, back in the day, could do just about anything with the most primitive of instruments and a willingness to work with their hands.
The Ozark Folk Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Local on 07/04/2018