Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, White Springs, FL
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LOCATION:
11016 Lillian Saunders Drive US Highway 41 White Springs FL 32096 PHONE: 386-397-4331 Reserve: 800-326-3521 RATES: $27 CHECK IN/OUT: Check in at 3 pm/Check out at 1 pm. ACCESS: 8 am to Sundown MAPS: At Entry Gate SITES: 39 PULL THRUS: Yes WATERFRONT: No PICNIC SHELTERS: No SITE SURFACE: Gravel/dirt HOOK-UPS: Water & 30/50 Amp WIFI: No CABLE: No SEWER: No BATH: Yes LAUNDRY: No DUMP STATION: Yes SHADE TREES: Yes POOL: No BOAT RAMP: Yes FEATURES: Suwanee River, trails, fishing RANKING: 8 PET FRIENDLY: Yes NEARBY ATTRACTIONS Suwanee Hardware & Feed |
Stephen Foster Folk Culture State Park is located on the banks of the Suwannee River and honors the memory of American composer, Stephen Foster, who wrote "Old Folks at Home," the song that made the river famous. In 1935, "Old Folks at Home" was designated as Florida’s official state song.
In the 1700s, White Sulphur Spring, within the park was regarded as sacred ground for American Indians because the water was believed to hold curative powers. In the mid-1800s through the 1950s, the spring was promoted as a health resort. There were shops, dressing rooms and clinical examination rooms as part of the springhouse. Some of the most famous visitors included Teddy Roosevelt and Henry Ford. The original concrete wall and gate still remain near the park entrance. In 1931 Josiah K. Lilly, the son of Indiana pharmaceutical manufacturer Eli K. Lilly, suggested a memorial to Stephen Foster. The Florida Federation of Music Clubs adopted his idea and obtained contributions of land in White Springs, Florida. The Stephen Foster Memorial Commission administered the development of the park, which opened in 1950. The park's museum features exhibits about Foster's most famous songs, and his music can be heard throughout the park from the 97-bell carillon. We camped here in October 2020 in our Coachmen Beyond van with our two cats, Savannah Rose and Dakota Blue. We enjoyed hearing the bells several times a day throughout the campground. We biked into White Springs and visited the hardware store. The trails are fun and have a feel of old Florida. DIRECTIONS:
Traveling I-75, exit at State Road 136 travel east 3 miles Traveling I-10 at US 41 North Travel 9 miles to White Springs         |
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