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Distance:
From Charlotte it’s 95 miles one-way, about a 2-hour drive.
Getting there:
Take I-85 South to Route 74 toward Gastonia/ Kings Mountain to 1-26
West to exit 22 and follow the brown signs to the Sandburg estate.
To see and do:
Visitors may take a ½-hour guided tour of Sandburg’s home, every day
except Christmas Day, and roam the grounds and goat farm at their
leisure. The home has been left as though the family were still
living there---with personal items scattered around in a relaxed
atmosphere full of warmth.
There are over 65,000 artifacts in the home, which give a good
perspective into the lives of the Sandburg family. Visitors will
notice a large television set in the living room, which is ironic
since Sandburg referred to television as an “idiot box” and a “thief
of time.”
Like Winston Churchill, Sandburg worked late into the night and was
not an early riser. His office is an indication of this, as it was
tucked into the southwest corner of the house receiving very little
sunlight until late in the morning.
Having already produced a six-volume encyclopedia about Abraham
Lincoln, it was in this office that he wrote the one-volume
biography of Abraham Lincoln, plus many other pieces of his works.
Sandburg once wrote “It is necessary now and then for a man to go
away by himself and experience loneliness; to sit on a rock in the
forest and to ask of himself, ‘Who am I, and where
have I been, and where am I going?’” Sandburg practiced this belief
by sitting in his high-backed
chair on the large sloping rock located just behind his
home—reflecting and making notes on pieces of paper.
Visitors may sit on Sandburg’s “Rock” and hike the five miles of
walking trails that Sandburg roamed, which range from easy to
moderately strenuous. Be sure to visit Mrs. Sandburg’s Goat Farm and
enjoy the herd. This is a great opportunity to get pictures of
children with the animals.
Mrs. Sandburg’s goat-breeding program produced champion goats, and
the dairy became a Grade A operation, where the goat milk and cheese
were distributed to local dairies and sold in stores around the
community. The National Park Service Rangers continue to raise goats
that are related to the three breeds of goats the Sandburgs raised
at Connemara, the name given to this mountain farm by the previous
owner.
The park offers many year-round activities, ranger programs and
demonstrations. In the spring a highlight is the birth of the baby
goats. In May the Folk Music Festival presents music from Carl
Sandburg’s “The American Songbag,” and demonstrations (such as goat
cheese-making), musical events, poetry readings and performances by
the Vagabond Players from the Flat Rock Playhouse are well received.
From June through mid-August live performances of Sandburg’s
“Rootabaga Stories” and excerpts from the Broadway play, “The World
of Carl Sandburg”, are presented at the park amphitheater. Fall in
the mountains brings many visitors to the park to explore the
grounds and walk the beautiful wooded trails that this mountain
estate offers. And, the holiday season is celebrated at the house as
an old-fashioned traditional Christmas.
Details:
Carl Sandburg National Historic Site, 1928 Little River Road, Flat
Rock, NC 28731. The park is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
all year, except on Christmas Day. For tour information, details and
schedules of events call 1-828-693-4178. There is no admission to
enjoy the grounds, trails and barn; guided tour of the house is $5
for adults 17 and older (check or cash only.) Golden Age, Golden
Access and National Park passes are honored. The Visitor Center is
located under the porch of the main house, with exhibits, films and
a bookstore. The main floor of the house and some of the buildings
and trails are accessible for those with physical disabilities. A
shuttle service to the house may be available by calling from the
parking lot.
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