Links to History
Stephen Foster is considered one of the earliest published American composers to write songs based on American themes. His inspirations came from the realities of life in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and throughout the United States in the mid 1800’s, in addition to the same European influences of his contemporaries. The Stephen Foster Story depicts American life at a time that can seem so distant to us now. African American history as it intersects with Stephen Foster’s history is an element where it is important to examine historic context. Some characters and events are based on actual history and others are not. While the people and stories depicted throughout this show are a blend of fact and fiction, the abuse of enslaved people of the United States and the hurtful practice of blackface minstrelsy was very real. Here, we highlight some historic connections to the show and more.
Celebrating 65 years
Welcome to the 65th season of The Stephen Foster Story at the beautifully renovated J….
Bob dylan & Stephen Foster
Happy 83rd birthday to American music icon Bob Dylan! The Nobel Prize-winning singer, songwriter, musician…
About Stephen Foster
Stephen Foster (1826 – 1864) was America’s first great songwriter. Considered one of the earliest…
andrew Carnegie
1836 – 1919 Industrialist, Philanthropist Carnegie led the expansion of the American steel industry in…
Lem Reed
1877 – 1955 Connection outside the show The legendary Lem Reed made a tremendous contribution…
A Brief History of the Banjo
Modern banjo-playing has historical roots that go back over 150 years to late 19th and…