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  • Visual Art

Denver Folklore Center

608 E 17th Avenue

The Denver Folklore Center opened in March 1962 at its first location on 17th street in Denver.  By the 1970’s, the Denver Folklore Center became one of the biggest institutions for traveling artists of all ranges of fame and notoriety.  Some of the most notable musicians who spent time at the center were Joan Baez, Judy Collins, and Bob Dylan.  Not only folk musicians were drawn to the hot spot and even rock and rollers like Jim Morrison were known to stop by.  Tuft, the founder, attributed some of the success to being that the center was “really all there was between Chicago and L.A.” so many artists would come to the store to check out the new up and coming Denver music scene.  In 1993 Tuft opened the new location of the center on 1893 S. Pearl St, the new location is quite smaller than the original, but is still operating with the same morale as it did in its heyday the 60’s.

 

Written by: Kaleigh Coleman

Image Source (Top): Kaleigh Coleman - Denver Folklore Center - 2016

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Harry Tuft opens the Denver Folklore Center

Harry Tuft opened the Denver Folklore Center in March of 1962.  Just two years after he had emerged on the folk scene, he wanted to create an environment for musicians (and listeners alike) to engage with one another.  The opening of the organization was huge success during the 60's and 70's and all of the greats were noted on visiting at some point in their career (Bob Dylan and Judy Collins to name a few.)  The word spread so far that even famous rock and rollers even started stopping by to see what Denver's music scene had to offer.  Tuft and the Folklore Center are one of the main reasons why Joan Baez got her show at Red Rocks in 1964, because of his influence in the music community.  The Denver Folklore Center still exists today, but at a different location opened in 1993.  The store now stands at 1893 South Pearl Street in Denver, where visitors can come in an chat with Tuft to this day.   Written by: Kaleigh Coleman

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