White Springs in Hamilton County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Tradition and Change

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 29, 2023

1. Tradition and Change Marker

Inscription. Each person is an archive of memories, knowledge and skills. As traditions pass from one generation to another, they transform and take on new meaning. Some old ways of life fall out of practice, while others are made new again. From building quail traps to making lye soap, many traditions of the Upper Suwannee continue to flow from one person to another.

(captions)
This local quail trap design has roots in Western Africa where similar traps are still made today.

Daughter Ella Taylor and mother Tommie Smith make lye soap for their community, but some details have changed. Where once Ms. Smith strained ashes to make lye, now she uses commercial lye that is sold as a drain cleaner. Change is an important part of keeping traditions alive and relevant.

Erected by Florida Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas • Women.

Location. 30° 19.85′ N, 82° 46.165′ W. Marker is in White Springs, Florida, in Hamilton County. It can be reached from the intersection of Lillian Saunders Drive and Foster Barnes Drive, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located within

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the Stephen Foster State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11016 Lillian Saunders Drive, White Springs FL 32096, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Florida.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Foodways of the Suwannee (a few steps from this marker); Folklife of the Upper Suwannee (a few steps from this marker); “There’s an art to everything you do” (within shouting distance of this marker); A Love Letter from ”Way Down Upon the Suwannee River “ (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Commemorating the Organization of the Second Girl Scout Troop in America (about 500 feet away); The Historic Architecture of White Springs (approx. half a mile away); White Sulphur Springs (approx. half a mile away); Welcome to the White Springs Historic District (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in White Springs.

Also see . . . Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. (Submitted on August 9, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 29, 2023

2. Tradition and Change Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 170 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 9, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.