Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
| Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park | |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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 A view of the 200-foot (61 m) tubular bell carillon |
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| Location | Hamilton County, Florida, USA |
| Nearest city | White Springs, Florida |
| Coordinates | 30°19′52″N 82°46′01″W / 30.33111°N 82.76694°WCoordinates: 30°19′52″N 82°46′01″W / 30.33111°N 82.76694°W |
| Established | 1950 |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park is a Florida State Park located in White Springs off U.S. 41, along the Suwannee River in north Florida.
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[edit] Fauna
Among the wildlife of the park are Gopher Tortoises, Box turtles, American Alligators, White-tailed deer, Wood Ducks and a variety of birds.
[edit] Recreational activities
Activities include picnicking, hiking and bicycling, as well as horseback riding, canoeing, and wildlife viewing.
Amenities include picnic tables, wooded trails, access to the Suwannee River, riverside cabins, and a 97-bell carillon. There is a craft shop that sells Florida and Southeastern folk art and crafts.
[edit] Stephen Foster Museum
The Stephen Foster Museum honors the accomplishments of American composer Stephen Foster, and features dioramas and exhibits about his famous songs, including Old Folks at Home, more commonly known by the words of its first line as "(Way Down Upon the) Swanee River". The honor of Stephen Foster (who never visited Florida) was the idea of Josiah K. Lilly, Sr., the son of Eli Lilly, who proposed the memorial in 1931.[1]
[edit] Carillion
The Stephen Foster Memorial Carillon, the park's 97 tubular bell carillon tower, was built in 1957 by the J.C. Deagan Company. Over four decades, the company built and installed in excess of 500 carillions worldwide based on their own 1916 design. The setup at White Springs was their largest and last carillion. It is noted as the "world's largest tubular bell instrument"[2] from the company.
The carillion plays Foster's songs throughout the day. A second museum area inside the tower also features exhibits about Stephen Foster and the carillon.[2]
[edit] Special events
Every year, the park hosts the Florida Folk Festival on Memorial Day weekend.
[edit] Hours
Florida state parks are open between 8 a.m. and sundown every day of the year (including holidays).
[edit] Gallery
[edit] References
[edit] External links
Media related to Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park at Wikimedia Commons
- Photos of Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park at Florida Parks
- Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park - official site
- Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center at Absolutely Florida
- Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center at Wildernet
- Explore Southern History - Information on Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
