Stephen Foster
Athens, Bradford County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
America's beloved writer of folk tunes and ballads attended, 1840-41, Athens Academy, which stood here. The Tioga Waltz, Foster's first music, was composed at that time.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Before he became the father of American popular song, a teenaged Stephen Foster passed through the Susquehanna country of northern Pennsylvania. In 1840-41 he attended Athens Academy, a small classical school that once stood on this ground, and it was here that he composed his very first piece of music, the "Tioga Waltz." The tune reportedly grew out of a school exhibition, an early flash of the melodic gift that would soon give America "Oh! Susanna" and "Camptown Races."
Why it matters
It marks the earliest creative stirrings of the songwriter who did more than anyone to shape a shared American musical vocabulary in the 19th century.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Tioga Point Museumnearby
- Sayre Historical Society2.1 mi away
- S.R.A.C. Susquehanna River Archaeological Center3.7 mi away · 343 Broad Street, Waverly, NY
- Ashland Historical Society14.4 mi away · 3064 Lower Maple Avenue, Wellsburg, NY
Food & drink
- Maple Lawn Dairy14.0 mi away · 3162 Lower Maple Avenue
Places to stay
- Comfort Inn2.4 mi away · 2160 Elmira Street, Sayre, PA
- Candlewood Suites2.9 mi away · 2775 North Elmira Street, Sayre, PA
- Hampton Inn Sayre3.2 mi away · 3080 Elmira Street, Sayre, PA
- Econo Lodge3.2 mi away · Spring Street, Sayre, PA
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Related people
- · Stephen Foster
Themes & tags
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