Stephen Foster, 1826-1864

Stephen C. Foster, "America's Troubadour," was born in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, on July 4, 1826. Foster is remembered for composing songs that captured the spirit of the United States in the 19th century. He wrote over 200 songs in his career. Some of his most popular include: "Oh! Susanna," "Laura Lee," "My Old Kentucky Home," "Old Folks at Home (aka "Swanee River"), "Camptown Races," "Beautiful Dreamer," " Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair," and "Old Black Joe." White Springs, Florida, is home to the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. The park, on the banks of the Suwanee River, opened in 1950 to honor Foster and his song, "Old Folks at Home." Every year since 1954 the park has hosted the annual Florida Folk Festival.