Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

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Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park The museum and carillon tower feature exhibits about Foster's most famous songs.

Situated on the banks of the legendary Suwannee River, this center honors the memory of American composer Stephen Foster, who wrote "Old Folks at Home," the song that made the river famous. In the craft square, visitors can watch demonstrations of a variety of crafts, like quilting and weaving, blacksmithing, gourd painting, pottery and more. Hiking, bicycling, canoeing, and wildlife viewing are p

opular activities. Miles of trails wind through some of the most scenic areas of North Florida. For overnight stays, visitors can camp in the full-facility campground or stay in a cabin. Every Memorial Day weekend (last weekend in May), the park transforms to host the oldest state run Festival in the nation, the Florida Folk Festival. Other special events include concerts, weekend retreats, a regional quilt show, and an antique tractor show. Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park is located in White Springs off U.S. 41 North.

06/13/2026

June is National Camping Month!

Trade busy schedules for campfires, starry skies, and mornings beneath the oaks at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park.

Whether you're traveling by RV or pitching a tent, camping is a great way to slow down and enjoy the natural beauty of North Florida.

Spend your days exploring trails, spotting wildlife, visiting the museum and carillon tower, or relaxing near the historic Suwannee River. Then settle in for an evening under the stars.

The park's campground features 45 oak-shaded sites with water and electricity, plus primitive group camping areas for those looking for a more rustic outdoor experience.

🏕️ Make plans for your next camping adventure.

Reserve your campsite at reserve.floridastateparks.org or call 800-326-3521.

📍 Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, 11016 Lillian Saunders Drive, White Springs, FL 32096

06/12/2026

One of the unique treasures in the Stephen Foster Museum is this 1907 Steinway Concert Grand Piano featuring a rare von Jankó keyboard.

Invented by Hungarian musician Paul von Jankó in the late 1800s, this innovative keyboard design was created to simplify piano playing by allowing the same finger patterns for scales and chords in every key. Although the design never gained widespread popularity, it remains a fascinating chapter in the history of music and instrument design.

This remarkable piano was donated to the museum by Mrs. Winifred Bush Hill in memory of her father, Franklin Coleman Bush (1870–1940), a Florida pioneer who founded the first school of music in Miami and served as Florida's first Steinway representative.

Stop by the museum and take a closer look at this rare instrument.

📍 Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, 11016 Lillian Saunders Drive, White Springs, FL 32096
🕰️ Museum & Carillon Tower Hours: Thursday–Monday | 9 AM – 5 PM

06/08/2026

June is Great Outdoors Month!

There's no better time to get outside and experience all that Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park has to offer. Whether you're hiking a trail, enjoying a picnic beneath the oaks, camping under the stars, spotting wildlife, or taking in the beauty of the Suwannee River, there are countless ways to connect with Florida's natural treasures.

Make plans to spend some time outdoors this month and discover what makes this special place worth exploring.

📍 Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park: 11016 Lillian Saunders Drive, White Springs, FL 32096

06/06/2026

Happy National Trails Day!

One of the best ways to experience the beauty of Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park is on foot. From towering oaks and native plants to wildlife sightings and peaceful natural surroundings, every trail offers something new to discover.

Whether you're looking for a leisurely walk or a chance to connect with nature, we invite you to lace up your hiking shoes and explore the park's trails.

Have a favorite trail memory or photo from the park? We'd love to hear about it in the comments!

📍 Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park: 11016 Lillian Saunders Drive, White Springs, FL 32096

05/31/2026

🌿 A quiet escape awaits at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park.

Nestled along the Suwannee River, the park’s riverside cabins offer a peaceful place to slow down, unplug, and reconnect with nature. Spend your days exploring the trails, relaxing beneath the oaks, visiting the museum and carillon tower, or simply enjoying the sounds of the river and surrounding woods.

Each cabin includes:
• Two bedrooms and one bathroom
• Kitchen and screened porch
• Heating and cooling
• Peaceful natural surroundings

🏡 Cabin rental: $100 per night plus tax, a $7 nightly utility fee, and a non-refundable $6.70 reservation fee.

Reservations may be made from one day to 11 months in advance.

Reserve online at reserve.floridastateparks.org or call (800) 326-3521 | TDD: (888) 433-0287

📍 Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, 11016 Lillian Saunders Drive, White Springs, FL 32096

05/29/2026

Gather together at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park.

From family reunions and birthday celebrations to group outings and special occasions, the park offers beautiful natural spaces to relax, reconnect, and make lasting memories along the Suwannee River.

Multiple rental locations are available, including:
• Picnic pavilion
• Nelly Bly’s Kitchen
• Auditorium
• Museum and tower lawns
• River gazebo
• Open park spaces and picnic areas

The park also offers shaded campsites and fully equipped riverside cabins for overnight accommodations.

Enjoy the playground and gardens, explore the trails, or simply spend time together beneath the oaks.

For rental information visit stephenfostercso.org/About-the-Park. Call 386-397-4331 to schedule a tour or email [email protected] for reservations.

📍 Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, 11016 Lillian Saunders Drive, White Springs, FL 32096

05/26/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 74th Annual Florida Folk Festival at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park.

Throughout the weekend, guests experienced live music, dancing, storytelling, traditional arts, workshops, folklife demonstrations, family activities, and the rich cultural traditions that make the Florida Folk Festival so special year after year.

We are grateful to the performers, folklife artists, demonstrators, vendors, volunteers, sponsors, staff, and visitors who helped create such a memorable festival weekend filled with music, heritage, community, and tradition.

Thank you for celebrating Florida folklife with us.

Check out Florida Folk Festival’s social media for festival photos, videos, and highlights from throughout the weekend!

📸 Photos courtesy of Bob O'Lary

05/25/2026

🇺🇸 On Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten, and we remain deeply grateful for the freedoms we enjoy because of them.

Today, we also hold in our thoughts the families and loved ones who carry their memory forward.

May we remember with gratitude and honor their legacy with respect.

05/19/2026

📸🌿 A special thank you to Elizabeth Mitchell for sharing these wonderful photos from Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, including a pileated woodpecker, a gopher tortoise, and birds perching on the carillon tower.

The park is full of opportunities to experience Florida’s natural beauty — from wildlife to scenic views of river landscapes, quiet forest, and the park grounds. You never know what you might discover along the trails or beneath the oaks.

We’d love to see the park through your eyes, too!

📩 Have photos of wildlife, flowers, plants, or scenic views taken at the park? Send them to us via Messenger for a chance to be featured on our social media pages. Please include your name for photo credit.

Thank you for helping us share the beauty of the park with others.

05/18/2026

🎶🇺🇸 The 74th Annual Florida Folk Festival is happening this weekend at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park!

Join us Memorial Day Weekend along the banks of the Suwannee River for three unforgettable days of live music, cultural traditions, crafts, dancing, food, storytelling, and family fun.

From folk and roots performances to heritage demonstrations, jam sessions, artisan vendors, and activities for all ages, there’s something around every corner to discover and enjoy. This year’s festival also celebrates America’s 250th anniversary while honoring the many cultural traditions that shape Florida.

🎟 Haven’t purchased tickets yet? Get them at floridafolkfestival.com!

📍 Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, 11016 Lillian Saunders Drive, White Springs, FL 32096

Address

11016 Lillian Saunders Drive
White Springs, FL
32096

Telephone

+13863972733

Website

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/stephen-foster-folk-culture-center-state-park

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