Judy Grillo
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"Old Folks at Home"

3/30/2017

12 Comments

 
As I inch my way north, I'm discovering state parks with historical significance that I never knew existed, and the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park is certainly one of them. The Park honors the composer of Florida's State Song, and has been along the banks of the Suwannee River since 1950.

While the campground resembles most Florida State Parks, just a short walk up the road and I felt like I was on a small prep school campus. There's a 200 foot high, 97-bell carillon tower that houses a small history museum, rings each quarter-hour for the time of day, and also plays a variety of Stephen Foster tunes (there are  201).  As a camper, I was pleased that this only occurs in the day time, but I will never get the tune of Beautiful Dreamer out of my head. 

The museum, which houses exhibits and dioramas depicting scenes from some of Foster's most popular songs, is a little hokey. I just loved it! Artists also demonstrate old and new crafts, and there's a variety of special musical and other events throughout the year. My next visit will be to attend The Florida Folk Festival held every Memorial Day weekend, and now in its 65th year. 

Outside the gates of the Park is the town of White Springs, once a "spa village" of grand hotels and resorts. Now half the population it was in the mid-19th century, it relies on agriculture, timber and tourism along the Suwannee River.  I enjoyed my four days in this uniquely historical setting. 

A little bit of Stephen Foster trivia
  • There is a one-cent Stephen Foster stamp.
  • Four of his songs are used in Gone With the Wind 
  • There's a dahlia, a rose, an orchid, and a camellia named for him. 
  • He never visited Florida, and never saw the Suwannee River. What river's name was used in his original draft of the song? 
  • Foster wrote two songs that were adopted as State Songs --- Florida's "Old Folks at Home" and Kentucky's "My Old Kentucky Home". 
There's more, trust me. 
12 Comments
Anne-Marie
4/1/2017 05:34:10 pm

The Pedee River!!!

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Anne-Marie
4/2/2017 03:29:41 pm

Sorry for posting trivia response so quickly but I knew it!!! And hadn't you blogged about the Pedee at one travel destination? This area, indeed, looks picturesque with lovely homes and history. The Folk Fest would be worth attending if only for the array of food, never mind having to choose between performances from Whitey Markle and the Swamprooters, Frankie Jay and the Chicken Parade, or The Deux Francois. I do LOVE this post!!

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Judy
4/7/2017 06:39:27 pm

AMG: You must be thinking of the Pee Dee from Eileen in So Carolina. It is correct, however!!! Good thing I didn't have a huge giveaway offer! Yes, the Folk Fest on my futures list for sure. Arlo was headliner last year (who lives half-time in Sebastian!).

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Claudette
4/2/2017 05:52:45 pm

Had to look up where this location is in Florida. Looks like its near the Georgia border. You're certainly not experiencing our cold (other than today) weather. What an interesting area to be camping in.

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Judy
4/7/2017 06:40:27 pm

Claudette,
Yes, very near Georgia; less than 150 miles in fact. Second to last stop in Florida before I start creeping North. j.

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Claudette
4/2/2017 06:04:06 pm

No photo of the new homestead, as you put it. Did go back to look at photos again though.

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Eileen
4/4/2017 02:35:33 pm

Judy: My all time favorite movie is "Gone with the Wind" so would think I would know trivia. Can only come up with "My own true love", the Tara theme song. Hope you have answers including what movie is " Beautiful Dreamer" from?

Does appear to be very quaint, I like that.

Reply
Judy
4/7/2017 06:42:51 pm

Eileen -- Your movie included Stephen Foster tunes such as "Louisiana Belle," "Dolly Day," "Ringo De Banjo," "Beautiful Dreamer," "Old Folks at Home," and "Katie Belle," the basis of Scarlett's theme.

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Eileen
4/6/2017 02:10:59 pm

Judy: Answered my query regarding movie with "Beautiful Dreamer". Remembered as a child watching movie of guerilla in NY. Was thinking King Kong, but was a take on that and called "Mighty Joe Young". Am certain though that you will come up with others,

Reply
Judy
4/7/2017 06:44:13 pm

Eileen --- Yes, on Mighty Joe Young which I did NOT know. I have no idea what "oops, Gorilla" is supposed to mean! j

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Eileen
4/7/2017 09:44:18 am

OOPS, Gorilla.

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Eileen
4/8/2017 08:43:14 am

Spelling in original post. Have family story about gorilla movie.

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