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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 an inviting
feeling and 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 work. 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. The fall brings a lot of visitors to
the trails and a traditional Christmas is observed at Connemara.
If you’re going:
From Mooresville it’s 130 miles one-way, about a 2 ½- hour drive. Take I-77
South to Charlotte to I-85 South to Route 74 toward Kings Mountain/Gastonia
to 1-26 West to exit 22 and follow the brown signs. 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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