Contact us
focsnc@gmail.com
P.O. Box 16, Flat Rock, NC 28731
© 2025 Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara, Inc.
Events
Plan Your Park Visit – Things to know before you go:
Pedestrian detour in place from the Main parking lot to the farm and house area. It’s a half-mile walk from the Hikers’ parking lot to the farm and house area. If you need help accessing the farm and house area from either parking lot, please call the phone number listed on the signs in both lots. Limited shuttle availability.
Grounds –
Trails: Open dawn till dusk, 7 days a week
Barn: Open 7 days a week, 10 am – 4 pm
Bookstore –
Visitor Center: Open Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sun, 10 am – 4 pm
House tours: No advanced tour reservations at this time. Limited first-come, first-served tours may be available. Please check at the Visitor Center.
**Please note: the restrooms at the main parking lot are 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)
Knocking on Sandburg’s Door
Thursday, November 13, 2025
6:00 PM Doors 6:30 PM Show
This unique performance celebrates the songs, poetry, and stories of three American bards—Carl Sandburg, Bob Dylan, and Steve DuRose—all of whom left their mark on the small town of Flat Rock, North Carolina, and on the wider world. The show is created and performed by Josh Dunkin, a local artist, educator, and musician known for blending humor, heart, and history into unforgettable performances. This performance will be scheduled again in April.
Knocking on Sandburg’s Door
Thursday, April 23, 2026
6:00 PM Doors 6:30 PM Show
THE MANY LIVES OF CARL SANDBURG
A play by John Quinley (author of Discovering Carl Sandburg) directed by Karen Moore
- December 10, 6:30 PM, NC Writers Network at Brandy Bar
- January 11, 12:30 PM & 2:00 PM, Kanuga Conferences
- February 6, 11:30 AM, UNC Asheville
- March 15, 2:30 PM & 5:00 PM, St. John in the Wilderness
- April 15, 5:30 PM, First United Methodist
Find out what all the buzz is about….
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. It all comes together in an entertaining, informative, and thought-provoking production. Directed by Karen Moore, current Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara board member. The performance runs for 70 minutes and admission is free.
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to the 2025 FRESH kids graduates!
A family dinner and graduation was held on August 14 to celebrate and honor this year’s ten students in the FRESH (Flat Rock Exceptional Sandburg Helpers) program. Supported by the Henderson County 4-H and the National Park Service, the program’s kids ages worked hard for several weeks learning about goat care and barn chores, educating visitors, and discussing the history of the Park and Mrs. Sandburg’s work with goats.
Three of the students also participated in the 4-H dairy goat show at the North Carolina Mountain State Fair in September.
Thank you to our dedicated Park Rangers for working with these local youth and teachihng them skills, knowledge and the ability to share with others!
Fine Art Oil Painting – Available for purchase/donation.
This original fine art oil painting celebrating our belove Connemara Farm is by NC artist Cindy Wagner. Titled “Heading to Pasture,” it is oil on canvas, 24″ x 24″ framed.
It can be yours for a tax-deductible donation of $1,200. Local pick up in Flat Rock, NC or delivery available in Henderson Co. North Carolina or surrounding area. Please reach out to us with any questions. Email: focsnc@gmail.com
Sandburg’s Books Around Town -Book Donations -Little Free Library
Over the past few years, The Friends of Carl Sandburg have donated many Sandburg authored books throughout Henderson and neighboring counties to Little Free Libraries. These locations and “book drops” were shared through our social media channels.
Our hope is to continue this service and offer people an opportunity to read some of Carl Sandburg’s poetry, children’s tales, or even borrow a copy of local author John W. Quinley’s – Discovering Carl Sandburg, a book celebrating “the Eclectic Life of an American Icon.” So check out a local Little Free Library, set out on a search to find a book and discover a bit about Carl Sandburg.
Here’s a link about the Little Free Library program – you can find lots of information about this nonprofit, and a map to assist in locating local libraries. Visit: Take a Book. Share a Book. – Little Free Library
