Everyone’s heard the song that includes the lyrics, “Way down upon the Suwannee River…”
But not everyone knows that the actual name of the song is “Old Folks at Home,” or that it was written by Stephen Foster. Well, here’s your chance to learn more about this American songwriting legend and his life.
The Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park preserves Florida history on the banks of the river made famous by his song. It features a colonial-style museum with exhibits of the late songwriter’s personal possessions and original music sheets. But that’s just for starters.
Head over to the craft center and get a sense of how the early pioneers spent their days with live demonstrations of blacksmithing, quilting, stained-glass making and more. The museum is engulfed in a nature park, so you can go hiking, cycling and canoeing before or after viewing the exhibits. Plan to stay awhile by booking a room in one of the park’s five riverside cabins to make your stay way down upon the Suwannee River an unforgettable experience.
The Foster Center puts on a regular slate of events, so check the schedule regularly.
Hours: Open daily from 8:00 AM until sundown.
Fees:
- $5 per vehicle (two to eight people)
- $4 single-occupant vehicle
- $2 pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in a vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass
