On the campus of the University of Pittsburgh is the only museum, concert hall and library dedicated to an American composer, Stephen Foster. His hometown memorialized him, even though he didn’t write our state song, but Florida and Kentucky adopted his tunes as their state songs.
In Pittsburgh, the Gothic structure, built in 1937 to honor Foster, houses a vast collection of 19th century American music, as well as material on Foster’s life and music. On display are 200 copies of Foster’s sheet music, letters, books, pictures and musical instruments.
It seems appropriate for a composer of America’s best loved songs to have been born on July 4, 1826. Thomas Blobner, a museum guide said, “Foster came from an affluent family; his father was once mayor of Pittsburgh. His sister, Ann, married a brother of President Buchanan.”
Foster’s talent in music came early in life. Later, after a few music lessons, he taught himself to play flute, piano and violin. Growing up, Foster sang and danced in minstrel shows for his neighborhood theatrical group. Later, he produced his own songs, like “Old Uncle Ned” and “Lou’siana Belle.”
“While attending the academy at Tioga Point, 15-year-old Foster produced his first musical composition, ‘Tioga Waltz,'” Blobner said. “This was his only song about his home state.”
By the age of 20, his family insisted he seek gainful employment. He then worked as a bookkeeper for his brother. He wrote “Oh, Susanna!” in his spare time.
Alas, a local music publisher agreed to issue the song if Foster would forgo payment. He agreed. The publisher made $10,000 and Foster didn’t receive anything.
Having learned his lesson, at 24, Foster quit his job and became a professional songwriter. He wrote minstrels for Christy Minstrels, such as “Old Folks at Home,” “Camptown Races” and “Old Black Joe.”
Florida eventually adopted “Old Folks” as a state song, because there were references to Swanee River. On a visit to his cousin’s home in Bardstown, Kentucky, Foster wrote “My Old Kentucky Home,” and Kentucky adopted it as their state song in 1928.
“Foster was the first to earn a royalty on a song (two cents per copy sold at the time),” said Blobner. “He began this whole business of royalty. He even wrote up his own contracts; the library has two of his originals.”
Foster married Jane McDowell in 1850, which led him to write “Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair.” Once married, the family moved to New York.
However, through the next years he spent money beyond his sporadic income and became an alcoholic. His wife left him, and he sold all future rights to his creations for $1,900. The last song he wrote was “Beautiful Dreamer.”
At the age of 38, on January 13, 1864, Foster fell at his boarding house and later died at a charity ward. The change in his purse is said to have totaled 38 cents, a penny for every year of his life.
Carole Christman Koch grew up in Berks County and has been published in numerous publications. She has a passion for writing and has many stories from growing up on a farm to everyday stories.