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Stephen Foster and the Election of 1856. 
Extensions

Extensions

1. Foster wrote another song during the 1856 presidential campaign called "The Abolition Show." This song mocked the 1856 Republican Convention. Download the lyrics from  Public Domain Music--The Music of Stephen Collins Foster (1826-1864) [link to http://www.pdmusic.org/foster.html ]. There are many references in the song to issues in American politics at that time. Read the lyrics and research the historical facts behind them. (For example, lyrics in this song rebuke Republicans for referring to James Buchanan as "Ten Cent Jimmy." This was a pejorative nickname Republicans gave Buchanan since he once unwisely remarked that ten cents a day is fair wages for manual labor.)

 

2. Foster wrote music in several distinct styles. Early in his career he wrote "Ethiopian Minstrel" songs. These were written in African American dialect and performed by white men wearing blackface makeup. These were lively tunes and often raucous in subject matter. Later he wrote parlor ballads and serenades, which were more refined. Near the end of his life he wrote many hymns for children’s Sunday schools. Trace Foster’s musical styles through his career and identify patterns or trends in his songs and lyrics.


Field Trips

President James Buchanan’s Wheatland Wheatland is the home of President James Buchanan. The house and gardens are preserved as Buchanan experienced them. Docents in period costumes give tours to groups throughout the year.
230 North President Ave.
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 392-4633

For more information or to plan a group tour please call 717-392-8721 extension 223.

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