State of Florida's Nature and Heritage Tourism Center White Springs Fl. Northeast Region

Date of visit  March 15, 2014

You are invited to explore the many natural, cultural, and historical treasures Florida has to offer in a brand new way! Whether you are an avid nature lover, a history buff, or simply looking for The Real Florida, the State of Florida's Nature & Heritage Tourism Center is just for you.
Nestled on the historic banks of the Suwannee River, this charming facility serves as a one-stop information center showcasing the many nature-based, cultural and historic venues and events Florida has to offer. Housed under the Center's green roof are exhibits, kiosks, videos and brochures offering endless resources and ideas for you to plan your adventure. Hiking, bicycling, canoeing, birding tours and museums are just a few of the activities you will learn about. In addition, online computers are available to book reservations and aid you in locating various destinations.
The Center is located on the corner of Highway 136 and U.S. Highway 41 in White Springs, Florida. It is easily accessed from I-10 (exit 301) or I-75 (exit 439). Call (386) 397-0921 for more information.

Olustee Battlefield Northeast Region

Date of visit:  March 14, 2014

Got the stamp for this park at Stephen Foster: 

Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park

	Battle of Olustee
	Monument Dedication
	Park Entrance
	Cannon Fire
	Sutlers

History and Culture

Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park commemorates the site of Florida's largest Civil War battle. In 1909, the Florida legislature acquired three acres to build a memorial to commemorate the event. In 1912, when many living Civil War veterans still attended reunions, the battlefield became the state's first historic site. Today, the battle is reenacted every year during the second weekend in February.

Battle of Olustee

The Battle of Olustee took place on February 20, 1864, between Union troops advancing west from Jacksonville and Confederate forces from Florida and Georgia. After several hours of battle, Confederate troops forced a Union retreat to Jacksonville. One of the regiments representing the Union that day was the African-American 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment. This unit was one of the first black units formed during the Civil War and was originally commanded by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. Although the film does not cover the Battle of Olustee, scenes from the movie, Glory, which tells the story of this regiment, were filmed at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park.

Monument Dedication

On October 23, 1912, veterans of the Battle of Olustee gathered with other dignitaries including then Florida Governor Albert W. Gilchrist and U.S. Senator Duncan U. Fletcher to dedicate the monument remembering the battle and those who gave their lives here.

Park Entrance

Although Olustee Battlefield officially became a state park in 1949, it holds the distinction of becoming the state's first State Historic Monument 40 years earlier in 1909. For more than 100 years, Olustee has welcomed visitors to walk its grounds and remember Florida's largest battle in one of our nation's bloodiest conflicts.

Cannon Fire

Every February, Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park plays host to the largest Civil War reenactment in Florida. Hundreds of reenactors, representing both sides of the conflict, come together to replay the events of February 20, 1864, at the Battle of Olustee.

Sutlers

In addition to the annual reenactment of the Battle of Olustee, the park also hosts an annual Exposition, in late summer, featuring music, living history and the foods and dress of the Civil War era. Blacksmiths demonstrate their skills, sutlers market their wares and men, women and children portray daily life of nearly 150 years ago. 

Big Shoals Northeast Region

Date of visit-  March 14, 2014  

Visited here just before the Stephen Foster Culture Park-  Not much here, no buildings, no ranger station, just lots of miles of trails.  When the water is running, there are supposed to be Class III rapids here.  

Big Shoals State Park

	Dry Shoals
	Little Shoals
	Cold Morning
	Rapids
	White-tail deer

 

History and Culture

Long ago, Native Americans used the Big Shoals area as a quarry site to make stone-chipped tools. They also frequented the sulphur springs in nearby White Springs until European settlers arrived in the early 1800s. William Brinton Hooker, one of Florida's first cattle kings, settled on the northern shore of the Suwannee in the 1830s. Hooker raised scrub cattle and black seed cotton. He built a ferry across the river in the mid-1830s. In the early 1900s, the land was purchased for logging and turpentining. Longleaf pines in the park still bear the scars of cat-face stripping of bark to collect resins for naval stores production.

Dry Shoals

This photo from 2002 shows the extreme drought conditions that occured all along the Suwannee River.

Little Shoals

The Suwannee River has always been an important resource for outdoor recreation. This historic photo shows canoeists trying to paddle the river at Little Shoals, the smaller set of rapids downstream from Big Shoals.

Cold Morning

Even in Florida, winters can get cold! In this early January photo, steam rising from the shoals begins to build ice on the plants at the river bank.

Rapids

Big Shoals offers the only designated Class III rapids in the state of Florida. It earns this classification any time the water level of the Suwannee River is between 59 and 61 feet above mean sea level.

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center White Springs Florida Northeast Region

Date of visit  March 14, 2014

The Museum Building- Lots of displays, old pianos and the Foster story.  

             

	Springhouse
	Museum
	Paddle Boats
	Influential People
	Folk Festival

History and Culture

In 1931 Josiah K. Lilly, the son of Indiana pharmaceutical manufacturer Eli K. Lilly, suggested a memorial to composer Stephen Foster, whose song 'Old Folks at Home' made the Suwannee River known all over the world. The Florida Federation of Music Clubs adopted his idea and obtained contributions of land in White Springs, Florida. The Stephen Foster Memorial Commission administered the development of the park, which opened in 1950. Stephen Collins Foster, born in 1826, composed more than 200 songs during his lifetime. The first Florida Folk Festival was held in 1953.

Springhouse

In the 1700s, White Sulphur Spring, a second magnitude spring located within the park, was regarded as sacred ground for American Indians because the water was believed to hold curative powers. Located on the banks of the Suwannee River, the spring was promoted as a health resort from the mid-1800s through the 1950s. Shops, dressing rooms and clinical examination rooms were built as part of a bath or springhouse beside the spring, which was enclosed by a concrete wall. Some of the spring's famous visitors included Teddy Roosevelt and Henry Ford. Today, the original concrete wall and gate, located near the park entrance, are all that remain of this once popular resort.

Museum

In 1931, Josiah K. Lilly, the son of Indiana pharmaceutical manufacturer Eli K. Lilly, suggested that Florida build a memorial to composer Stephen C. Foster whose song, 'Old Folks at Home', made the Suwannee River known all over the world. The Florida Federation of Music Clubs adopted his idea and obtained contributions of land for the project in White Springs, Florida. The Stephen Foster Memorial Commission administered the development of the park, which opened in 1950. In 1935, 'Old Folks at Home' was designated Florida's official state song.

Paddle Boats

In the early days of Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center, visitors rode on replica paddle steamers up and down the Suwannee River. The boats were named the Belle of the Suwannee and the Glendy Burke.

Influential People

Lillian Saunders worked hard to help acquire the first 100 acres of land for the Stephen Foster Memorial in White Springs, Florida. 'Cousin' Thelma Boltin was considered the first lady of the Florida Folk Festival, directing the annual celebration for more than 20 years.

Folk Festival

The Florida Folk Festival has taken place at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center every year since 1953. It has become the longest running state folk festival in the United States, taking place each year during Memorial Day weekend. Many well-known musicians have performed here, including Floridians Gamble Rogers and Will McLean, artisans, musicians and storytellers share their crafts with the visitors who swarm the park each May. For more on the Florida Folk Festival, visit www.FloridaFolkFestival.com.