Stephen Foster
The famed 19th century
composer penned such
songs as Suwannee River,
My Old Kentucky Home, Oh!
Susannah and Camptown
Ladies.
The famed 19th century
composer penned such
songs as Suwannee River,
My Old Kentucky Home, Oh!
Susannah and Camptown
Ladies.
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center, Florida
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center - White Springs, Florida
| Stephen Foster Memorial Carillon One of the largest carillons in the world, the Stephen Foster Memorial towers over Florida's Suwannee River, made famous by the 19th century composer. |
"Way Down Upon the
Suwannee River..."
Suwannee River..."
Millions of people around the world have
heard of Florida's beautiful and historic
Suwannee River.
Stephen Foster's classic 19th century song
has sent the minds of generations of
listeners on journeys "way down upon the
Suwannee," prompting sentimental images
of a home "far, far away." The haunting
melody is now Florida's State Song and
helped launch the tourism industry that led to
the development of modern Florida.
Curiously, Foster wrote the song about a
place he had never seen. Suwannee River
(also known as Old Folks at Home) was
originally written about South Carolina's
Pedee River, but the phrasing just didn't work
the way the composer had hoped. So after
studying maps of the South, he settled on the
Suwannee River instead and the rest is
history.
Other songs by the famous composer
include such traditional favorites as My Old
Kentucky Home (state song of Kentucky), Oh!
Susannah, Camptown Ladies, Beautiful
Dreamer and Jeannie With the Light Brown
Hair (a tribute to his wife).
Despite his contributions to American
musical history, Foster died in 1864 at the
age of 37 with only 37 cents to his name. In
his wallet was found a scrap of paper with
the words "Dear friends and gentle hearts."
Foster's musical legacy is preserved today at
the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State
Park in White Springs, Florida. A museum at
the park preserves artifacts associated with
Foster, including a piano he once played and
the desk on which he is believed to have
composed Suwannee River. Also on display
is a piano once used at a performance by the
19th century musical sensation, Jenny Lind.
On the grounds can also be found the
towering Stephen Foster Memorial Carillon, a
bell tower that plays Foster's music at
intervals throughout the day. The base of the
tower contains a second museum with other
displays relating to Foster's life and music as
well as information on the historic carillon
itself.
heard of Florida's beautiful and historic
Suwannee River.
Stephen Foster's classic 19th century song
has sent the minds of generations of
listeners on journeys "way down upon the
Suwannee," prompting sentimental images
of a home "far, far away." The haunting
melody is now Florida's State Song and
helped launch the tourism industry that led to
the development of modern Florida.
Curiously, Foster wrote the song about a
place he had never seen. Suwannee River
(also known as Old Folks at Home) was
originally written about South Carolina's
Pedee River, but the phrasing just didn't work
the way the composer had hoped. So after
studying maps of the South, he settled on the
Suwannee River instead and the rest is
history.
Other songs by the famous composer
include such traditional favorites as My Old
Kentucky Home (state song of Kentucky), Oh!
Susannah, Camptown Ladies, Beautiful
Dreamer and Jeannie With the Light Brown
Hair (a tribute to his wife).
Despite his contributions to American
musical history, Foster died in 1864 at the
age of 37 with only 37 cents to his name. In
his wallet was found a scrap of paper with
the words "Dear friends and gentle hearts."
Foster's musical legacy is preserved today at
the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State
Park in White Springs, Florida. A museum at
the park preserves artifacts associated with
Foster, including a piano he once played and
the desk on which he is believed to have
composed Suwannee River. Also on display
is a piano once used at a performance by the
19th century musical sensation, Jenny Lind.
On the grounds can also be found the
towering Stephen Foster Memorial Carillon, a
bell tower that plays Foster's music at
intervals throughout the day. The base of the
tower contains a second museum with other
displays relating to Foster's life and music as
well as information on the historic carillon
itself.
| Copyright 2009 by Dale Cox All rights reserved. |
In addition to memorializing Foster's life and
legacy, the park also serves as Florida's
official folk culture center. Numerous events
take place there throughout the year and a
village area has been created where visitors
can often see artisans and musicians
recreating the life of the past. A special
emphasis is paid to the culture of the Upper
Suwannee River and a gift shop is available
for purchasing handmade items such as
quilts, baskets and more.
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State
Park is located near the intersection of
Interstates 75 and 10 in White Springs.
legacy, the park also serves as Florida's
official folk culture center. Numerous events
take place there throughout the year and a
village area has been created where visitors
can often see artisans and musicians
recreating the life of the past. A special
emphasis is paid to the culture of the Upper
Suwannee River and a gift shop is available
for purchasing handmade items such as
quilts, baskets and more.
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State
Park is located near the intersection of
Interstates 75 and 10 in White Springs.
lor.
Florida's Suwannee River
The historic Suwannee River
as seen from the grounds of
the Stephen Foster Folk
Culture Center.
The historic Suwannee River
as seen from the grounds of
the Stephen Foster Folk
Culture Center.
Stephen Foster Museum
The museum preserves
artifacts from the life of
Stephen Foster, including the
desk that he used to
compose Suwannee River.
The museum preserves
artifacts from the life of
Stephen Foster, including the
desk that he used to
compose Suwannee River.
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Suwannee River State Park
Fort at the Suwannee River Bridge
Florida's Historic Suwannee River
Historic Sites in Florida
Explore other Southern Historic Sites
Fort at the Suwannee River Bridge
Florida's Historic Suwannee River
Historic Sites in Florida
Explore other Southern Historic Sites
