According to the brochures for the state park, the memorial to Stephen Foster was suggested in 1931 by Josiah K. Lilly, son of Eli K. Lilly the pharmaceutical manufacturer. Stephen Foster's song, "Old Folks at Home", made the Suwannee River known worldwide and was designated the official Florida state song in 1935. The Florida Federation of Music Clubs adopted his idea and obtained contributions of land here in White Springs, Florida and the park opened in 1950.
The Stephen Foster Museum is housed in an antebellum style mansion which was built purposely to house the displays. This was one of our first sights as we drove through the park on our way to the campground.
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| From April 2010 |
Our next sight on the way to the campground was the Stephen Foster Memorial Carillon - a 200 foot bell tower which was completed in 1957. The 97-bell carillon was installed the summer of 1958. It is one of the largest musical instruments produced in the Western Hemisphere and the world's largest tubular carillon in the number of bells. The carillon plays Stephen Foster's tunes daily and can be heard here in the campground.
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| From April 2010 |
There is also a Craft Village with several small log houses across from the Carillon Tower with different crafts being displayed and the Gift Shop is also there.
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