The Folklore Center

Joni will be performing Feb 28th & March 1st

Shows will be 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm both days. 

The story of the Arizona Folklore Preserve is the story of a dream-come-true for Mr. Dolan Ellis, Arizona’s Official State Balladeer. Dolan wanted a place where the songs and stories celebrating Arizona and our western heritage and culture could be performed and preserved.

Originally, Dolan thought this center should be located in Fountain Hills, near Phoenix. However, in 1990, he and his former wife, Rose, visited southeastern Arizona’s Huachuca Mountains. They fell in love with this beautiful area, rich in history and folklore, and subsequently bought 15 acres in Ramsey Canyon.

Dolan founded the Arizona Folklore Preserve, and in June 1996, started performing at the Moffett House, a small 1920s ranch house located on their property. The tiny Moffett House Theater accommodated an audience of at most 30 closely-packed patrons.

In 2000, Dolan joined with the University of Arizona South to build his dream, the current Folklore Center with its state-of-the-art theater. The new building opened on Mother’s Day, 2001, and is located on 4 of the original 15 acres. Dolan’s partnership with the University of Arizona South ensures the Arizona Folklore Preserve will continue to exist far into the future.