Honoring the “father of American music” Stephen Foster Memorial Day

Lee Trawick  Reporter2@riverbendnews.org Although Stephen Collins Foster was born on July 4, 1826, in Lawrence, Penn., he has monuments and state parks named after him throughout the United States. However, in the north central Florida area, the first think that comes to mind when mentioning Stephen Foster's name is the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, which is known for its beautiful Christmas lights, the Carillon Tower and for various festivals. But who exactly was Stephen Foster and what mark did he leave on America to have so many monuments erected in his honor? Today, Foster is known as the “father of American music.” He was a self-taught