Volunteer Spotlight, Stephen Foster Citizen Support Organization
Stephen Foster Citizen Support Organization
The Stephen Foster Citizen Support Organization is the recipient of the Long-Term Project of the Year Award for Cultural Resources.
The Stephen Foster Citizen Support Organization is dedicated to working with park staff to enhance, protect and promote Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park and Big Shoals State Park.
Group members focus their attention on the preservation of Florida’s folk history through fundraising, programs and events. They provide support by sponsoring educational events and park programming throughout the year; preserving the folk history of Florida through the partial funding of the Florida Folk Festival with grants, sponsorships and other fundraising projects, and adding enhancements for visitor enjoyment such as two playgrounds, washers and dryers, and a picnic pavilion.
In recent years, the Stephen Foster CSO has been working to restore the park’s historic 97-bell carillon, which was silenced during summer 2017 by a single lightning strike. Repairing the electrical damage required costly, extensive work. The Stephen Foster CSO funded the project.
Restoration of one set of bells makes the carillon playable and enhancements in technology will make the carillon more easily played by a carillonneur. This project started with an $84,000 commitment to restore the carillon. Another $210,000 commitment was needed for asbestos removal and fiberglass work. The CSO received a grant from the Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources for $300,000 with an additional commitment of a $75,000 cash match to restore one set of bells. The CSO earmarked funds and conducted fundraisers to raise the rest of the funds.
The Stephen Foster CSO’s commitment to restoration of the Stephen Foster Carillon is commendable. Their dedication is unwavering and making the carillon the voice of the park once again is a top priority. This project was initiated in 2017 and has truly been a cooperative effort between the CSO and park staff.
The CSO has taken the lead on working with a contractor that is the world’s foremost expert on Deagan Carillons while including park staff in the entire process. Meeting with the vendor, developing a contract to begin the restoration work, and monitoring the progress throughout the process has kept this project moving forward.