Stephwn C Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs Florida is located on the Swanee River. The state song of Florida is “Old Folks at Home”, which was written by Stephen C Foster in 1851. You might know it better by it’s first line, Way Down upon the Swanee River. Mr. Foster never stepped foot in Florida and when he was writing the song he consulted an atlas to get a two-syllable Southern river name. Other songs written by Stephen C Foster are: Oh! Susanna, Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair, Camptown Races, and My Old Kentucky Home. The parks museum features antique pianos, sheet music, instruments and a bell tower that is currently under repair. We are unsure why Florida has this as the state song and why a park is named after him as he never stepped foot in Florida.
We walked down to the Swanee River. It was at the perfect level for paddling per the sign. The bank was high and the water was tanic. The Florida Trail runs through the park. We did not hike it or any other trail as it was way too hot.
Note: All photos and videos unless otherwise stated are property of Wayne and Margaret Shoemake. If you would like to use any of them please email us at [email protected].