Who hasn't heard the sentimental song that goes, Way down upon the Suwannee River (or Swanee), far, far from home?  How about My Old Kentucky Home? 

They, as well as over 200 other published songs, were written by Stephen Collins Foster.  And although the great Suwannee River flows from Georgia through Florida and out into the Gulf of Mexico - and Kentucky is generally considered part of the southern United States, Foster was no southerner.  He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 4^th, 1826 and made one trip to the South during his lifetime, attending the New Orleans Mardi Gras festivities when he was 26.

Foster had natural ability and started to write songs when he was a boy.  He attended church and minstrel shows* with the family servants and was greatly influenced by the music of Black Americans.  His songs frequently told the stories of slaves; his lyrics depicted them with more dignity than many other contemporary tunes. 

The Foster family's financial reversals caused them to move from their home in Pittsburgh.  Many of Foster's songs told of a longing for home. 

• Old Folks at Home - 1851

• My Old Kentucky Home - 1853

• Happy Hours at Home - 1862

After a divorce, Foster's creative powers left him.  He turned to drink and lived a meager existence for the rest of his life. 

At age 38, he was taken with fever.  After resting for three days, Foster rose from his bed to wash up, fainted, fell into his washbasin, cracked it, and cut his throat.  A hotel maid found him dead.

Foster's fame grew after his death.

My Old Kentucky Home is sung every year at Church Hill Downs during the Kentucky Derby.  It is the state song of Kentucky.

The U.S.S. Stephen Foster was named for him.

Old Folks at Home is the Florida state song.

Gone With The Wind used four of Foster's songs, Katie Bell, Massa's in De Cold Cold Ground, Louisiana Belle, and My Old Kentucky Home.

Travel

Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center in White Springs, Florida has the largest carillon (an instrument made of tubular bells) tower in the world, which was installed in 1958.  There are three sets of 32 bells, and three bells play in unison to produce each powerful resonant note of his music.  The carillon can be played by way of a keyboard that electrically strikes the bells or by an automatic devise on a timer.

The original writing desk on which Foster composed much of his music can be also seen at the center.  (This is where my husband and I took our musical saw lessons.)

Stephen Foster State Park near Fargo, Georgia, is located in the Okefenokee Swamp.

The Stephen Foster Memorial can be found at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.

Gardening

The Steven Foster Rose is medium pink with an average diameter of 4 inches.  It climbs to about 15 feet, and was bred in United States in 1950 by H. R. I. Rosen
 

Here's to Stephen Foster for his stories told in song.