Events & Promotions

Plan Your Park Visit – Things to know before you go:

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)

Summer Events 2025

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.

American SongBear has Arrived – vist it downtown

Our 2025 Bearfootin’ Bear now stands proudly downtown at the corner of Main Street and 5th Avenue East. Painted by local artist Joan Covell, SongBear’s design was inspired by Sandburg’s “The American Songbag” published in 1927 with music and lyrics of over 280 American folk songs he had collected over his lifetime. SongBear is eager to meet and greet the public for viewing and photo opportunities until the auction of the Bearfootin’ Bears in October. For more information about this event, please visit:

2025 Bear Auction Brochure Draft

Fine Art Oil Painting – Available for purchase/donation.

This original fine art oil painting celebrating our belove Connemara Farm is titled:

“Heading to Pasture”

by NC artist Cindy Wagner

Oil on Canvas

Framed 24″ x 24″

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 several books throughout Henderson Co. and neighboring counties to both private and community Little Free Libraries. These locations and “book drops” were shared through our social media channels. Our hopes are to continue this service offering people a chance to borrow and 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 your local Little Free Library box, set out on a search around town to see if you can find a book, and discover a bit about Carl Sandburg this summer. Here is 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

TBD – MONTHLY WRITERS WORKSHOPS

Join an informative virtual workshop hosted by the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site and the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara. Registration is required and links will be posted below in advance of each workshop along with the information on the presenter and subject. Poetry, prose, non-fiction and other genres are offered. www.nps.gov/carl/learn/news/wir.htm

Events & Promotions

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