Exploring the Park

We biked around the park today, exploring the trails and museum and river. We saw signs warning of alligators and were cautioned about snakes, but we didn't run into either. We enjoyed our explorations and really find this park pleasant and attractive.

We were quite impressed by the museum. It has intricate dioramas of some of Foster's more famous songs. Many of them have animation and special lighting to add to the effect. Our favorite was "Camptown Races," with realistic perspective creating the effect of a quarter mile distance across the track even though the diorama is only 16 inches deep.

We also enjoyed seeing the collection of pianos. One belonged to a neighbor of the Fosters, and Stephen Foster regularly played it. Another was played by Jenny Lind. The museum also features the desk at which Foster sat when he wrote the famous Suwannee River song (Old Folks at Home).

We later visited the gift shop and craft village, where the only crafters in residence were a leather worker and a jewelry maker. He was sitting on the porch, tooling a leather bag. She was inside where their leather work and jewelry was for sale. She made some unusual feather flowers.

During the day we enjoyed listening to the carillon playing Foster's songs on the quarter hour.



We wondered about the lack of any commentary on the social context of the Foster songs, especially of the view of African Americans his songs perpetuate. We are so used to exhibits that are careful to provide differing perspectives and a more objective view of historical realities.