The Friends 

The Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help support the park however we can. Our nonprofit was established more than 30 years ago to support the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. FOCS is an all-volunteer organization with a Board of Directors composed of members with diverse careers, varied interests, and assorted talents. We all share a deep respect for Sandburg’s history and pride in his family’s home at Connemara. This includes funding historical, educational and artistic activities, but in times of crisis, we join with the community to help in bigger ways. Help Support the Park. Please donate today

 

Plan Your Visit

While Hurricane Helene’s impact is still affecting some areas of the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, there has been considerable progress thanks to the efforts of Park Rangers. Both the main parking lot and the small hiker’s lot off of Little River Road are now open. The hiking trails and grounds are open dawn to dusk, the barn is open daily from 10-4pm, and the visitor center/bookstore is open Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sun 10-4pm. House tours are available – please check in at the bookstore for current times. If you need assistance getting to the main house or barn from the parking lots, please call the phone number located on the designated sign at the lot for assistance.

**Please be aware that the large restrooms at the main (large) parking lot are now open, but portable toilets and hand washing stations still remain near the main house, the barn, and hikers lot. Please plan your visit accordingly. **

Need more info? Visit the National Park page here: Plan Your Visit – Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)

____   Explore ____

Upcoming Events:

THE MANY LIVES OF CARL SANDBURG
– a play

Dr. John Quinley, local author of Discovering Carl Sandburg and Letters from a Sandburg Docent, has written and produced a multi-media play for a fresh, unique approach to learning about the prolific life of Carl Sandburg. Six players reveal Sandburg’s life story through dramatic and humorous reading of Sandburg poetry and prose, and songs sung from his American Songbag. It all comes together in an entertaining, informative and thought-provoking production. Directed by Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara board member Karen Moore. The performance runs about 75 minutes. Admission is free.

There was a time when nearly everyone knew the name Carl Sandburg, but few folks today know of him. Help us “stage” a comeback. Come enjoy the play and tell your friends about it!
Scheduled performances are:
June 1, 2:00PM
Treska’s on Highland Lake, Flat Rock NC 
June 15, 3:00PM
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2021 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville NC
July 7, 1:00PM
Silvermont Senior Center, 364 E Main St, Brevard NC
* More dates coming soon.

News & Thank You.......

A very special THANK YOU to all that attended our uplifting concert on Sunday, June 8th, 2025. The Four Seasons Chamber Orchestra delivered an enthusiastic heartfelt performance -The 2025 Spring Masterworks Concert- Visions of Hope & Peace conducted by Eric Scheider. Our board member President Ellen Sugarman shared the Friends of Carl Sandburg’s passion for park support, the exciting news of the park’s reopening, and how you can contribute to our nonprofit. We thank you all for your donations, attendance and support of our local National Park and the Arts.
*This project was supported by a grant to the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara from the North Carolina Arts Council, a Division of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Welcome to the Herd……
THANK YOU! to everyone that participated in our “Name the Goat” fundraiser event. This historical event/name draw came to a close at the Flat Rock Ice Cream Social this last Saturday June, 7th, and we are excited to reveal that this precious “kid” will now be known as Anchovy!
Again, we thank you for your donations and participation in this fundraising event and hope that you will make your way to the barn at the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site and visit with him, his brother Arcadia, and all the other members of the Sandburg goat family.

Another BIG Thank YOU to all that came out on June 7th for the wonderful Flat Rock Ice Cream Social. It was a beautiful day, and we appreciate all of the support from visitors and fans of the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. It’s the donations and support from community like you that help us fulfill our goals of support to our cherished historical site. Thank you everyone for a fabulous day!

Our many supporters both individuals and businesses who are committed to the Friends’ mission. They, through farsightedness and generosity, seek to ensure that the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site will continue to be available for future generations.

With heartfelt thanks, we appreciate your support.

Board of Directors

The Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara

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