3rd Annual Florida Folk Festival Program, 1955

Folk Festivals--Florida--Hamilton County--White Springs

Festivals, Events and Conferences

Festivals--Florida--Hamilton County--White Springs

Program for the 3rd Annual Florida Folk Festival held May 1-3, 1955, in White Springs.

Stephen Foster Memorial Commission

State Archives of Florida, Series S1619

1955-05-01

Florida Federation of Music Clubs

programs (documents)

eng-US

Text

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Postwar Florida (1945-1968)

White Springs (Fla.)

Hamilton County (Fla.)

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park (White Springs, Fla.)

Stephen Foster State Memorial (Fla.)

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Arts And Culture

Stephen Foster Memorial Florida Folk FESTIVAL WHITE SPRINGS MAY 1, 2, 3, 1955 On the Banks of the Suwannee

FORE WORD ... Florida is new. Florida is old. Florida is a maze of time, people and good living. Florida is everything or anything you can think of. Mostly Florida is paradise. Many people think of Florida only as a land of beaches, sun, easy living and play. Florida is this - but, Florida is many more things, too. Florida is a land which which inherited its culture from the many tounges of its forefathers. Tounges of many nationalities and faiths. Florida is richer in its cultural heritages than perhaps it is in its sun, beaches and play. Florida was not always a land of sun, fun, and glamour. Once upon a time Florida was a wasteland - but a wasteland of beauty ready to be developed. The development of Florida took a great many people who worked long, tedious hours, filling the soil, clearing forests and building palmetto-thatched huts in which to live. These people sang in their leisure hours. They danced, and they told tales reminiscent of their day. They slaved by day and dang and danced by night. They fought, they laughed, they loved, but above all, they worked at honest labor. It is these people, these pioneers of a great state, whom we wish to recognize in the annual Stephen Foster Memorial Florida Folk Festival. It is their dances, songs, tales, customs and traditions which we want to revive, and which we must preserve of the rih heritages of our forefathers will be lost to our children forever. The many nationalities, faiths, creeds, and colors of the pioneers of Florida remind us that they are not unlike the facets of a cut jewel. It takes all these facets in the 1955 Stephen Foster Memorial Folk Festival. We hope as we grow to add many more, for only through complete participation of all peoples can the jewel of Florida sparkle in full brilliance of rich, cultural heritages. I want to take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to all the participants in the 1955 Festival. Without their keen interest in folklore and their love for the customs of their ancestors, the Festival would lack authenticity. Welcome to the 1955 Stephen Foster Memorial Florida Folk Festival! Sincerely, Thelma Boltin Thelma Boltin. OUR SPONSORS The Stephen Foster Memorial and Florida Federation of Music Clubs are co-sponsors of the Florida Folk Festival. Both are deeply interested in perserving the tradtional expressions which reflect life as it has been lived in Florida and to cultivate and encourage the use of song and story of yesteryear in our everyday lives in order that such may not die in this rapidly changing world. The Stephen Foster Memorial, situated in the picturesque little Florida town of White Springs, comprises 243 acres of state park through which the immortal "Swannee Ribber" of Foster fame flows. Centerpiece of the colorful park is the Stephen Foster Memorial building which houses eight diorama depicting Stephen Foster's great compositions; the famous Lily colletion and other interesting Fosteriana. The Memorial is operated by the state-appointed Stephen Foster Memorial Commission of which Earl W. Brown, DeLand, is chairman. Others on the commission are: J.A. Cawthon, Orlando; mrs. Lamar Bledsoe, tallahassee, Mrs. H.G. Miller, Jacksonville, Mrs. W.A. Saunders, White Springs, and Foster L. Barnes, Museum curator and park superintendent. Also an integral part of the state is the Stephen Foster Memorial Association, headed by Robley Bruce, of Lake City. Florida Federation of Music Clubs This organization of some 7,000 persons, dedicated to the advancement of music culture, is honored this year by being host to the National Federation of Music Clubs in its 28th biennial convention at Miami, April 22-29. Highlight of the convention is the annual "Jeannie Ball" to select the girl of talent, poise and beauty in commemoration of Foster's "Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair." The contest is usually staged at the Stephen Foster Memorial, but due to the national convention this year, the location was moved to Miami. Present officers of the Florida Federation are Mrs. Julian Laughinghouse, Orlando, president; Mrs. Glenn Morrison, Lakeland, first vice-president (president presumptive); and Mrs. Helen Edwards, Gainesville, secretary. EARL W. BROWN, DeLand Chairman, Stephen Foster Memorial Commission MRS. LEON WHITEHURST, Brooksville President, Stephen Foster Memorial Corporation MRS. ROBERT W. ROBERTS, St. Petersburg Federation of Music Clubs Convention Chairman MRS JULIAN LAUGHINGHOUSE, Orlando 1954 - 44 Federation President MRS. GLENN MORRISON, Lakeland Federation First Vice-President (President Presumptive) MRS. R.A. EDWARDS, Gainesville Federation Treasurer

Next mojor additon to Florida's greatest non-commercial attraction, THe Stephen Foster Memorial, will be the 200-foot carillon tower situated on the memorial grounds overlooking the Suwannee River. Contracts for the structure are to be let in June with a completion date set sometime in 1956. The Florida legislature set up a matching fund of $375,000 in 1953 to build the tower providing an additional $125,000 was obtained through contributions. The figure was reached several weeks ago and architects are at work drawing plans. It is believed the Carillon Tower will be the highest structure (above sea level) in Florida. WHITE SPRINGS CAFE HOME COOKING 1/2 Mile NORTH Stephen Foster Memorial Entrance CLEAN - QUIET ATMOSPRERE dear friends and gentle hearts Few will recall these as words of Stephen Foster but many will ong remember him because of the untiring efforts of the Stephen Foster Memorial Commission. Congratulations from The Florida National Group of Banks LOCATION NAME OF BANK BARTOW - FLORIDA NATIONAL BANK BELLE GLADE - FLORIDA NATIONAL BANK BUSHNELL - FLORIDA BANK CHIPLEY - FLORIDA BANK CORAL GABLES - FLORIDA NATIONAL BANK DAYTONA BEACH - FLORIDA BANK & TRUST CO. DELAND - FLORIDA BANK FERNANDINA BEACH - FLORIDA NATIONAL BANK FORT PIERCE - FLORIDA BANK GAINESVILLE - FLORIDA NATIONAL BANK JACKSONVILLE - FLORIDA NATIONAL BANK KEY WEST - FLORIDA NATIONAL BANK LAKELAND - FLORIDA NATIONAL BANK MADISON - FLORIDA BANK MIAMI - FLORIDA NATIONAL BANK & TRUST CO. OCALA - FLORIDA NATIONAL BANK ORLANDO - FLORIDA NATIONAL BANK PENSACOLA - FLORIDA NATIONAL BANK PERRY - FLORIDA NATIONAL BANK PORT ST. JOE - FLORIDA BANK ST. PETERSBURG - FLORIDA NATIONAL BANK STARKE - FLORIDA BANK WEST PALM BEACH - FLORIDA NATIONAL BANK & TRUST CO. TOTAL CAPITAL FUNDS OVER $32,000,000,00 The FLORIDA NATIONAL GROUP OF BANKS Members FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION Serving FLORIDA and the SOUTHEAST FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHT Richard Chase, "America's Hans Christian Andersen," is a folklorist of note and hails from Beech Creek, N.C. Featured in the 1955 Stephen Foster Memorial Florida Folk Festival, Mr. Chase says that "folklore" is an academic word. "The people from whom our taditional music, dances, songs, ballads and tales have been collected during the past decades call such things, simply, "the old ways." Thus, anything in song, story, dance, tradition or related subjects done years ago in the building days of our state and country, is folklore. Mr. Chase has taught many of the children's groups appearing in the 1955 Festival and appears on many programs himself as a tale-teller, puppetteer, country dance expert and humorist. He is author of "The Jack Tales" and Grandfather Tales" and many other folklore books. after the Festival .... Take the Senic SUBMARINE BOAT RIDE On your trip to or from the Folk Festival, vist Rainbow Springs and take "the world's most unusual boat trip." Seated below the river's surface, in Scenic Submarine Boats, you'll thrill to underwater scene; Florida fish in many varieties, frolicking turtles - myraids of flashing rainbows, exotic plants and flowers you will long remember. You'll enjoy beautiful Rainbow Falls and wooded bayou trails. Rainbow Motor Lodge offers comfortable cottages that will make you want to prolong your visit. Duncan Hines recommended restaurant. WHEN AT WHITE SPRINGS, FLORIDA STOP AT: COLONIAL HOTEL WHITE SPRINGS, FLORIDA Attractive Old Inn on the Suwannee River GOOD ACCOMMODATIONS EXCELLENT MEALS White Sulphur Springs White Springs, Florida FAMOUR MINERAL WATER Large Natural Swimming Pool Hot Mineral Water Tub Baths GIFT SHOP Suwannee River Court Near Entrance to Stephen Foster Memorial Member of Quality Courts United, Inc. AIR-CONDITIONED UNITS Overlooking the Suwannee River Tel. 9102 - U.S. Highway 41 THE FLORIDA TELEPHONE CORPORATION Ocala, FLorida WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORTS THE Stephen Foster Memorial AND Florida Folk Festival

Real Southern WAY DOWN UPON THE SUWANNEE RIVER FRESH FROZEN White Acre PEAS "A TASTE THRILL" From the Suwannee River Valley REAL SOUTHERN Fresh Frozen WHITE ACRE - PEAS PROCESSORS AND PACKERS McMullen Food Bank, Inc. Live Oak, Florida We Salute Stephen Collins Foster Was Figure of Foster Potter's Wax Museum St. Augustine, Florida The American "Square Dance," or more commonly known as "Country Dance" is a definite part of our Florida folklore. This group appeared at the 1954 Florida Folk Festival. They are faculty members and their wives from the University of Florida. We have been serving the Banking needs of Lake City and Columbia County for the past 50 years. The State Exchange Bank LAKE CITY, FLORIDA Organized - 1904 Member Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation This couple might be from Maine, or California, or even Canada or South America, but wherever their home, the haunting melodies of a Stephen Foster song is near and dear to them. It is as American as apple pie. This picture shows the diorama depicting Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home" in the Foster Memorial. There are other dioramas depicting such internationally known melodies as "Suwannee River,""Open THy Lattice Lover,""Camptown Races,""Beautiful Dreamer,""Oh! Susanna,""Old Black Joe,""Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair," and "Old Dog Tray." MIAMI MOTEL WHITE SPRINGS, FLORIDA On U.S. Rte. 41 - at entrance to STEPHEN FOSTER MEMORIAL ON THE SUWANNEE RIVER 20 Units - Tile Baths - Jalouise Windows AIR CONDITIONED UNITS NAA - Phone 9106 - AAA MAKE THIS YOUR OVERNIGHT STOP Milling is Florida's Oldest Industry! Manufactures of WATER-GROUND MEAL, GRITS, FLOUR, RICE, BEANS, PEAS AND SYRUP WEBB'S BEST SYRUP DIXIE LILY BRANDS The milling of grain is Florida's oldest industry. When the white man first stepped foot on Florida soil he found the Indian milling grain by the simple process of crushing it between rocks. This method has changed little since, except that the white man has applied mass production to the process in order to serve more people with nature's great health-giving product. Dixie Lily is proud to be a leader in this age-old industry. It is proud of its reputation for quality products and it shall continue to serve the people of this great state in the future as it has in the past. Dixie Lily takes pride, too, in being a part of the Stpehen Foster Memorial Florida Folk Festival and in its efforts to maintain our great cultural heritages. DIXIE LILY MILLING CO., INC PLANTS: WILLISTON, TAMPA, CHIPLEY, MIAMI, JACKSONVILLE, ORLANDO

Children are often seen playing games or dancing on the spacious lawn of the Stephen Foster Memorial. Here are group from a nearby school do an oldtime American country dance following a picnic on the grounds. COMMERCIAL BANK of LIVE OAK FLORIDA Extends Best Wishes to Florida Folk Festival AND Stephen Foster Memorial WHITE SPRINGS, FLORIDA Member Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Enriched EELBECK BABY GRITS Quick Cooking A PICTURE OF HEALTH (FOR HEALTHY BABIES) BLANCHE HOTEL Lake City Florida North Central Florida's Leading Hotel Completely Reconditioned Air Conditioning Optional J.B. COLBERT, JR., Mgr. For Reservations Phone 226, Lake City Etude Magazine, one of the outstanding journals of the music world, calls the Stephen Foster Memorial Florida Folk Festival, "the melting pot of race, creed and color in the deep south." This picture from last year's festival shows what Etude meant. Here is an Indian chief and a Negro Choir furnishing background music for folk singers. It took all races to build FLorida, and it takes all nationalities to depict true Florida folklore. SINGING FLORIDA'S PRAISES! Reddy Kilowatt is telling the world about Florida's mild summer climate ... and how to enjoy fabulous vacations in Florida in summer on a "common-cents" budget ... Let your friends know, too, that Florida is the BIG vacation buy! HELPING BUILD FLORIDA SUNSHINE SERVICE FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY

REMEMBER? For future use in forthcoming Folk Festivals we are collecting old fashioned "remedies," superstitions, folk tales and other memorabilia. You can help us preserve wonderful Florida folklore by sending any items you may have in your memory or put away in the old family chest. Just send them to THelma Boltin, Stephen Foster Memorial Florida Folk Festival, White Springs, Florida. Thank you. PIANOS AND ORGANS - FURNISHED, COURTESY Reynolds Piano Company 2006 San Marco Blvd. - Jacksonville, FLorida BALDWIN AND WURLITZER ORGANS - BALDWIN, ACROSONIC, STORY & CLARK, CABLE, WINTER PIANOS WATCH FOR OUR MOBILE DISPLAY VAN Richard Chase "Way Down Upon The Suwannee River" -- Or anywhere else in the 31 countries we serve. Reddy Kilowatt IS YOUR MOST DEPENDABLE SERVANT WHO WORKS FOR YOU FOR JUST PENNIES A DAY! FLORIDA POWER CORPORATION PARNTERS IN PROGRESS FOR 57 YEARS When Traveling in Florida We Invite You to Enjoy The Facilities on These Five Hotels Rooms are Air-Conditioned and Equipped with Radios and Television - All Open Years Round - In Jacksonville - HOTEL GEORGE WASHINGTON HOTEL MAYFLOWER HOTEL JEFFERSON In West Palm Beach - HOTEL GEORGE WASHINGTON HOTEL PENNSYLVANIA KLOPPEL HOTELS OWNERSHIP - MANAGMENT GEORGIA VS. FLORIDA There are many stories on the relationshipp between Florida and its neighbor, Georgia. Actually, the two states are closely alike, both in mannerisms, speech, customs and , of course, folklore. Many Georgians participate in the Florida Folk Festival. This note is to welcome them. Next year, bring your cousins - all of 'em! A deep personality aspect of a native Floridian is to "throw off" on his Georgia neighbors. A man of parts is often spoken of as having travelled "all over the United States and parts of Georgia. And fathers in states surrounding our neighbors have two rules for properly raising their son - get him a goat, and take him to Georgia, at least once. Georgians in Florida, however, often find ways of "throwing off" on Floridians. Most common "throw-off" is one of indispiutable truth. They say most of the BIG men in Florida came from Georgia. And, they don't necessarily mean "figuratively speaking," either. The Fist National Bank of LIVE OAK, FLORIDA SERVING THE SUWANNEE RIVER VALLEY Capital Funds $385,000.00 MEMBER FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION Stephen Foster Memorial Florida Folk Festival Association

Ash Wing Hon. Cary E. Hardee Helen Bixler J.L. McMullen Thelma Boltin The Stephen Foster Memorial Florida Folk Festival Association, a non-profit organization, produces the Festival. Established a little more than three years ago, it's officers have struck steadfastly to the belief that folklore, particular Florida folklore, is something that must be preserved by reviving, at least once a year, the many customs, traditions and ways of our ancestors. Heading the list of officers in the Folk Festival Association is J.L. McMullen, of Live Oak as president. Mr. McMullen, is a former State Jaycee president and operates a food bank. He is a civic leader in his community and well known throughout the state. Miss Helen Bixler, secretary, is a hard-working secretary of the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce at Live Oak. In 1953 and 1954, the business management, publicity and public relations job fell on her shoulders. That she handled them well is evidence by their successes. Hon. Cary A. Hardee, former governor of Florida, is treasurer of the Stephen Foster Memorial Folk Festival. Hon. Hardee is vitally interested in maintaining memories of "Olde Florida" and takes an active part in Association work. Mrs. W.A. Saunders, of White Springs, prominent north Florida clubwoman, is program chairman. As folklore chairman for the Florida Federation of Music Clubs, Mrs. Saunders is an importnat cog in coordinating the work of the co-sponsors. Miss Thelma Boltin, 1954 Festival director, is an "old hand" at stage work and folklore. A graduate of Emerson College in Boston, Miss Boltin has also taught school in Gainesville and Winter Haven. She is now director of the Recreation Center at Gainesville. She is also well known for her impersonations of "Lily White" and humorous readings. Ash Wing, Festival business manager and public relations man, is a former newspaper publisher, writer and promoter. He lives in Gainesville.