The cultural and historic sites that are protected by the National Park System connect us with the spirit of our past. They form a national family tree, celebrating our triumphs and tragedies. Some sites spotlight the legacy of our great writers, inventors and national humanitarians.

In June of 1965 Congress established the first of what is now five sites honoring the contribution of literary figures. The Wayside, a unit of Minute Man National Historical Park, was the home 3 famous American literary families -- Bronson and Louisa May Alcott; Nathaniel Hawthorne and Margaret Sidney, the author of Five Little Peppers and How They Grew.

Since then, other sites honoring American literary figures have been established. Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site was established October 17, 1968. Longfellow National Historic Site was established October 9, 1972. Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site was established October 12, 1976 and Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site was established November 10 1978.

Please visit these sites and celebrate America's rich literary culture!