Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center
Located only a short distance from the boundary separating Florida and Georgia, Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center State Park fulfills two purposes. Appropriately situated on the Suwannee River, the 247-acre center honors the memory of Foster, whose song "Old Folks at Home," memorialized the picturesque stream. It also serves as a gathering place for those who perpetuate the crafts, music and legends of early and contemporary Floridians.
STEPHEN FOSTER
Stephen Collins Foster was born outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. He demonstrated his musical talent early in life by playing the flute at the age of four. His first composition, "The Tioga Waltz," was completed when he was a fifteen year-old student. In the years that followed, Foster wrote more than 200 songs, including "Oh! Susanna," "Camptown Races," "Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair," "My Old Kentucky Home," "Beautiful Dreamer," and many others familiar today.
Foster apparently never saw the Suwannee River, but he made it famous nevertheless. The river begins its course in the Okefenokee Swamp of southeastern Georgia and meanders southwesterly for a distance of approximately 250 miles before it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The 1935 Florida Legislature designated "Old Folks At Home" also known as "Suwannee River" the official state song.
HISTORY The Suwannee River has a unique and diverse history. White Sulphur Springs, located on the banks of the river at Stephen Foster Center, dates at least to the 1700s. The Native Americans regarded the sulphur spring as sacred ground for its curative powers. White Sulphur Springs was promoted as a health resort and the spring water advertised as a cure for almost any ailment. In 1906, the spring was enclosed with a high concrete wall and gates to keep the river out. Buildings on either side of the spring contained shops, dressing rooms, and clincial examination rooms. One of the resort's many famous visitors was Teddy Roosevelt. The springhouse still attracted some visitors into the 1950s. Today, the original concrete wall and gate still exist; and the surrounding area retains much of the culture of that early time.
CARILLON TOWER The Carillon Tower is also home to the world's largest tubular bell instrument constructed and installed by the J.C. Deagan Company in 1957. the bells of the Stephen Foster Memorial Carillon are of unique design originated by Deagan in 1916. The company installed more than 500 carillons in this country and abroad for nearly 42 years.
The carillon at White Springs, the largest and the last system to be installed by Deagan, consists of three full sets of 32 bells with a scale range of C to G, chromatic, plus a fourth high G bell. Three bells sound in perfect unison for each note to produce a strong, resonant tone response.
Regular programs of many of Stephen Foster's compositions, which number more than 200, are played by specially trained carillonneur’s and at other times from the automatic electric player installed with the carillon.
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Camping, hiking, bicycling, canoeing, and wildlife observation are popular recreational activities at the Stephen Foster Center. Twenty-two campsites are available by reservation or on a first come basis. Facilities include restrooms with hot showers, dump station, water and electric. Campsites with electricity are available on a first come basis only. For camping reservations, telephone (386) 397-4331. Pets and fire arms are prohibited in the camping area. Canoe facilities and liveries are also available in the community.
On-road and off-road bicycling are extremely popular in the White Springs area. Miles of trails are available for your enjoyment through some of the most beautiful country in the Suwannee Valley. Maps of trails and routes are available in the local community.
For more information Contact:
Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center
Post Office Drawer G
White Springs, FL 32096
(386) 397-2733
CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, located on beautiful Siesta Key Florida is the largest on-the-water Bait & Tackle Shop that offers Siesta Key Boat Rentals, Fishing Charters, Fishing Tackle, Jet Ski Rentals, and clothing for everyone. CB’s Outfitter shop & “Beach Boutique” on Siesta Key carries the leading name brands in outdoor sportswear for men and women, plus T-shirts for the whole family. So bring the family and stop by to see why CB’s on Siesta Key has become one of Sarasota’s must see landmarks since 1959, a leader in the sport fishing community. Open daily 7am – 6pm.
CB’s Boat Rentals (half day & full day) are for cruising, fishing, picnicking, or enjoying the sites that Siesta Key, Sarasota, Longboat Key and her surrounding areas have to offer. From the south end of Longboat Key to the Venice Jetties see Dolphins, Pelicans, Ospreys and other wildlife. CB’s Boat Rentals include Deck Boats, Pontoons, Center Consoles & Roundabouts.
CB’sORVIS Endorsed Outfitter’s Fishing Charter Service serves Siesta Key as well as Longboat Key, Lido Key, Sarasota and Venice. The Guides offer exciting Fishing Adventures for anglers of all ages from novice to the expert—Inshore/backcountry & Offshore fishing charters for both fly-fishing & spin anglers. Sarasota and her surrounding areas has so much to offer as an estuary for some of the most targeted gamefish species in the world including tarpon from mid May–July, Snook, Trout & Redfish (to name a few) are found in Sarasota & Charlotte Harbor areas waters year round.
If you are looking for fun on the gulf coast of Florida, at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, Sarasota Florida you can find everything you are looking for, from fishing tackle to sunglasses & flip flops or a day on the water. Stop by today or give us a call to book your Boat Rental, Fishing Charter or Jet Ski Rental.
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Tampa Bay Automobile Museum
727-529-8226
The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum features a unique collection of vintage vehicles, including pioneering front wheel drive and rear engine cars from the 1920's and 1930's. Each vehicle was chosen based on the engineering achievements that made it an important part of the evolution of the automobile, setting the standards for the engineering of automobiles today. Visitors enjoy a provocative blend of art and science in 12,000 square feet of gallery space.
The history of the automobile is one of the greatest showcases of man’s
creativity and imagination. The collection of the Tampa Bay Automobile
Museum in the Tampa Bay area of the west central coast of Florida is
perhaps one of the most succinct statements of that premise to be seen
anywhere. Housed in the museum galleries are many of the finest early
approaches to aerodynamic shapes and packaging, front wheel drive and
rear engine-rear drive engineering, unibody construction, pioneering
uses of materials like cast aluminum, pressed steel and more.
The collection additionally presents the concept
and history of shared technology and trade in the early twentieth
century through the presence of the Tracta
front drive system on a variety of makes, Daimler’s sleeve valve engine
driving a variety of European and American cars and the American Budd
Corporation’s patented pressed steel methods appearing on both sides of
the Atlantic.
If you are a Vintage Car buff, this will be a thrill of a lifetime...
What are the museum hours?
We are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, Wednesday through Saturday
Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday
Closed Tuesday and holidays.
The Suwannee River has a unique and diverse history. White Sulphur Springs, located on the banks of the river at Stephen Foster Center, dates at least to the 1700s. The Native Americans regarded the sulphur spring as sacred ground for its curative powers. White Sulphur Springs was promoted as a health resort and the spring water advertised as a cure for almost any ailment. In 1906, the spring was enclosed with a high concrete wall and gates to keep the river out. Buildings on either side of the spring contained shops, dressing rooms, and clincial examination rooms. One of the resort's many famous visitors was Teddy Roosevelt. The springhouse still attracted some visitors into the 1950s. Today, the original concrete wall and gate still exist; and the surrounding area retains much of the culture of that early time.
The Carillon Tower is also home to the world's largest tubular bell instrument constructed and installed by the J.C. Deagan Company in 1957. the bells of the Stephen Foster Memorial Carillon are of unique design originated by Deagan in 1916. The company installed more than 500 carillons in this country and abroad for nearly 42 years. 
