Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park History
Park Overview
Located off Highway 41 in White Springs, Florida, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park was established in honor of “America’s Troubadour” in 1950. The Stephen Foster Museum and the Memorial Carillon Tower feature exhibits, historic collections, and moving dioramas that depict Foster’s famous tunes. Stick around and you’ll hear the bell tower concerts daily from the campanile.
Florida Folk Festival and its many programs over the years (Florida Memory)
The park not only honors America’s first original songwriter, but also celebrates Sunshine State culture and traditions. Since 1953, the park has been home of the Florida Folk Festival (the oldest folk festival in America), which takes place annually on Memorial Day weekend. Experience a blend of Native American, Cuban, and Appalachian folk music with over 300 performers on multiple stages throughout the park.
This Stephen Foster tintype along with other artifacts can be seen in the Carillon Tower Museum.
Who is Stephen Foster?
Stephen Collins Foster was born in Pittsburgh in 1826, became a New York editor, and later solidified himself as a music pioneer. Before sound recording was even invented, Foster composed over 200 published works. Although Foster never witnessed the scenic Suwannee River, his popular song, “Old Folks at Home” (1851), was later adopted as Florida’s official state song and brought the Suwannee River worldwide fame (1935).
View of Suwannee River from Ann Thomas Gazebo at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Foster is commemorated in numerous towns throughout the U.S., with parks, memorials, schools, flowers, instruments, railroad cars, and a naval ship named after the greatest artist of the 19th century.
In 1864, at age 37, Foster died of a fever with a mere 38 cents in his pocket.
“The Real Suwannee River,” he wrote, “rises in the highest mountains of the human soul and is fed by the deepest springs in the human heart. It flows through the pleasant, sunny lands of memory; it empties into the glorious ocean of unfilled dreams…”
Scale model and image of tubular bell carillon within Stephen Foster Memorial
Memorial Carillon
After nearly 20 years of planning, the 200-foot-tall Stephen Foster Memorial Carillon was erected in 1957 (almost 100 years after Foster’s death). The campanile is home to the world’s largest tubular bell carillon, installed in 1958. The carillon system features 97 bells – 3 sets of 32 bells each and one high G bell. Some of the larger brass bells weigh up to 426 pounds and are over 12 feet long! The tubular bell system weighs 27 tons and is supported by a massive wooden rack.
Jeanie Ball participants at Deagan Carillon Console, circa 1958 (Florida Memory)
A carillonneur sounds the bells with a piano-type electric console, or a clock is programmed to activate the automatic roll type player which makes the brass bells chime. There are ongoing efforts at the park to raise funding for the restoration of the bells. Phase one, repair and restoration, of the Carillon Tower Bells has begun!
Donations can be made here:
Inside the Carillon Tower, you’ll find a museum with historic artifacts, instruments, and moving dioramas that depict Stephen Foster’s legendary American melodies.
Things to Do
Hammock Loop Trail – 10 miles (hiking/biking/equestrian use), including a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail
Kayak/Canoe/Fish (bike & canoe rentals at the Gift Shop; canoe launch access via Florida National Scenic Trail)
Picnic areas
Camping – 45 sites (RV & tent with E/W), bathhouses, playground, dump station
5 Riverside Cabins
Stephen Foster Museum – open daily
Cousin Thelma Boltin’s Gift Shop & Nelly Bly’s Kitchen – open daily
The Craft Village – an outdoor mall with handmade gifts for sale, blacksmith demonstrations, & educational workshops
Historic White Sulphur Spring House - https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/spring-house-stephen-foster
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