News Release

Sandburg Home Tour Changes Begin October 1

NPS Photo

News Release Date: September 3, 2019

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site will implement changes to Sandburg Home tours beginning on October 1, 2019. The changes include an increase in the cost of tour tickets; a reduction in tour size from 15 people to 12; and implementation of an online reservation system. To address concerns re: increased tour costs for families, the park will add 5 additional free tour days annually.

The park currently charges $5 for adults; and $3 for adults aged 62 and older and all pass holders. Children 15 and under are free. On October 1, 2019 the new house tour fee will be $8 for adults; and $5 for adults 62 and older, including all pass holders. On October 1, 2020, the house tour fee will be $10, adults; and $6 for adults 62 and older, including all pass holders. House tour tickets for children (aged 15 and under) will remain free of charge. However, children’s tickets reserved online will incur $1 online processing fee. These costs are in line with what other national park units charge for historic house tours and what the National Park Service pays for use of recreation.gov.

All America the Beautiful Interagency Passholders will receive a discount on tour tickets. Groups that visit through a school are eligible for a fee waiver for all students and teachers.

House tour fees fund interpretive and preservation efforts in the house, including house tours, school programs, and exhibits, as well as curatorial support for the 50,000 museum objects on display in the house. The fee increase is the first since 2004.

This fee increase proposal was open for public comment from July 1, through August 17. Two public meetings were held, a total of three people attended. Twenty-three comments were received, with 12 of them in support of the increase, 7 against the increase, and 4 containing general comments neither in support nor against. Of those opposed, a common concern was the cost for a family to tour the home. In order to provide more free opportunities for all visitors to enjoy the Sandburg Home, the park is adding five free tour days annually. In 2019: October 17 (park anniversary) and December 28 (Saturday after Christmas during the local school system’s Christmas break). In 2020: January 6 (Carl Sandburg’s birthday); April 11 (first weekend of the local school system’s spring break); and June 13 (the Sandburgs’ wedding anniversary).

These Sandburg-specific free tour dates are in addition to “fee free” days observed annually by the entire national park system. In 2019, the final fee free day for the National Park Service is November 11 (Veterans Day). The National Park Service fee free schedule for 2020 has not been released yet.

Another change taking place on October 1, 2019, is the launch of a new online reservation system at recreation.gov. Starting October 1, visitors will be able to make online house tour reservations up to 90 days in advance. Any tickets not sold in advance via recreation.gov will be available to walk-in visitors on a first come, first served basis. One dollar ($1) of each adult house tour ticket (walk-in or online) will go towards use of recreation.gov. House tour tickets for children (aged 15 and under) purchased online will incur a $1 online processing fee. In-person, day-of-tour children’s tickets will remain completely free of charge.

Additionally, to reduce crowding and to better protect park resources, house tour size will be adjusted from 15 visitors to 12. The change in tour size is due to visitor complaints about crowded tours and staff concerns about historic resources. Visitors are encouraged to make advance online reservations to ensure they are able to tour the home when it is convenient to them.

The park doesn’t charge an entrance fee. All other park features, including the goat barn, trails, special events, and performances are free and do not require tickets or reservations.

"We are confident that these changes will help us continue to provide quality visitor services and access, while also protecting the priceless treasures in the Sandburg Home," said superintendent Polly Angelakis.

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site is a unit of the National Park Service. The park is located three miles south of Hendersonville off U.S. 225 on Little River Road, and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Weekdays are less busy than weekends. For parking options, please visit www.nps.gov/carl/planyourvisit/parking.htm. For further information please telephone [phone], or visit our website at:

www.nps.gov/carl

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 417 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov.
 

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Fee Increase FAQS:

• Why does the park want to increase fees? The park hasn’t raised fees since 2004. During that time the cost of supplies and services across the board have increased by more than 30% with general inflation. This increase will help to cover the increased costs in operating expenses and salaries for staff. https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/statistics/inflation  
• What is the money used for? House tour fees fund interpretive and preservation efforts in the house, including house tours, school programs, and exhibits; as well as curatorial support for the 50,000 museum objects on display in the house. 
• When was the last house tour fee increase? In 2004.
• How did you come up with the new fee structure? We compared what other national historic sites charge for historic house tours.
• What does a house tour currently cost? Currently, tours are $5 for adults; $3 for adults 62 and older and all pass holders; and free for children 15 and under.
• What is the proposed increase and when will it begin? We are proposing incremental tour increases as follows:
  • Beginning October 1, 2019: $8, adults; $5, adults 62 and older and all pass holders.
  • Beginning October 1, 2020: $10, adults; $6, adults 62 and older and all pass holders.
  • Although fee increases are proposed for adult house tour tickets, house tour tickets for children (aged 15 and under) will remain free of charge. However, children’s tickets reserved online will incur a $1 online processing fee, to cover use of the recreation.gov reservation system. In-person, day-of-tour children’s tickets will remain completely free of charge.
  • Once recreation.gov reservations begin, one dollar ($1) of each online or in person adult tour ticket will cover the costs of using recreation.gov.
• What payment methods are accepted?  Currently, we only accept cash or check. Beginning October 1, 2019, only credit cards will be accepted for online and in-person house tour ticket sales.  We will still accept cash, but credit cards are preferred.
• Why only credit cards? The entire National Park Service is transitioning to “credit cards only” for tour and other reservations, so Carl Sandburg Home NHS is making the change now.
• What if I want to buy something in the bookstore? Can I use cash? The bookstore, which is run by a non-profit partner, will still accept cash or credit cards for bookstore items.
• How does this affect commercial tours?  Commercial tour operators will still contact the park to arrange tours. Please call 828-693-4178.
• I have a Senior Pass. What will I pay? All visitors age 62 and older receive a discount rate regardless of possessing a Senior Pass. Starting on October 1, 2019 you will pay $5 per ticket. Starting on October 1, 2020, you will pay $6 per ticket.
• I have a Military Pass. What will I pay? Starting on October 1, 2019 you will pay $5 per ticket. Starting on October 1, 2020, you will pay $6 per ticket.  This rate applies only to the named adults on the pass.
• I have an Access Pass. What will I pay? Starting on October 1, 2019 you will pay $5 per ticket. Starting on October 1, 2020, you will pay $6 per ticket. This rate applies only to the named adults on the pass.
• I have an Annual Pass. What will I pay? Starting on October 1, 2019 you will pay $5 per ticket. Starting on October 1, 2020, you will pay $6 per ticket. This rate applies only to the named adults on the pass.
• When is the public comment period open? From July 1, 2019 to August 17, 2019. Comments must be received by the close of business on August 17, 2019.
• How can I comment? Comments can be made online at the NPS Planning, Environmental, and Public Comment (PEPC) website: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/proposedcarlfeeincrease. Written comments can be also submitted: in person during business hours at the park bookstore in the Sandburg Home or at park headquarters; by mail to CARL Proposed Fee Increase, c/o Superintendent, Carl Sandburg Home NHS, 81 Carl Sandburg Lane, Flat Rock, N.C. 28731; or by email to [e-mail] with the subject line “CARL Proposed House Tour Fee Increase.”
• Are there restrictions on how I can comment? Comments will not be accepted by FAX, Facebook, or in any manner other than those specified above. Bulk comments in any format (hard copy or electronic) submitted on behalf of others will not be accepted.
• Can I comment anonymously? Anyone wishing to comment may ask the National Park Service to withhold their personal identifying information from public review. The National Park Service cannot guarantee it will be able to do so.
• What was the result of the public comments?  Twenty-three comments were received, with 12 of them in support of the increase, 7 against the increase, and 4 containing general comments neither in support nor against. Two public meetings were held, July 17 and July 20, a total of three people attended.  
• How will you address the public comments that were against the fee increase? Of those opposed, a common concern was the cost for a family to tour the home. In order to provide more free opportunities for all visitors to enjoy the Sandburg Home, the park is adding five free tour days annually. In 2019: October 17 (park anniversary) and December 28 (Saturday after Christmas during the local school system’s Christmas break). In 2020: January 6 (Carl Sandburg’s birthday); April 11 (first weekend of the local school system’s spring break); and June 13 (the Sandburgs’ wedding anniversary).  

Tour Size Adjustment FAQS

• Why are you reducing tour size from 15 to 12? To provide for a better visitor experience and to better protect park resources. We have received numerous complaints from visitors about house tours being too crowded. Additionally, we just finished significant rehabilitation and environmental improvement work on the house. The museum collection was in storage and the house was empty while this work was done. We expect visitation to the house to steadily increase now that the house is furnished again. We want to make sure that visitors are able to have a positive experience on tours, while also protecting park resources.
• How does this affect commercial tours? The new size applies to all public tours. Tour operators will still contact the park to arrange tours. Please call 828-693-4178.
• What about educational group tours? There is no change to how educational groups (K-12) make reservations. Please call 828-693-4178.

Online Reservations FAQS:
 

• Why is the park switching to an online reservation system? Online reservations will provide more flexibility for visitors to plan their visit. It guarantees them a spot on a tour in advance of their arrival at the park. It will reduce visitor frustration with first come, first serve tours being full when they arrive. Visitors will receive information about less busy parking times and can plan accordingly. Additionally, because we are reducing tour size from 15 to 12, the online system gives visitors more flexibility in picking tour times, in case a preferred tour time is full.
• When will you start taking reservations? Online reservations for house tours will be available at recreation.gov starting on October 1, 2019.
• How far in advance should I make a reservation? Online tour reservations will be available up to 90 days in advance of your park visit.  
• What if we come to the park and do not have a house tour reservation? Any tickets not sold in advance via recreation.gov will be available to walk-in visitors on a first come, first served basis. However, we encourage advanced online reservations, so visitors can pick the tour time that works best with their schedule.
• What does a house tour cost? Currently, tours are $5 for adults; $3 for adults 62 and older and all pass holders; and free for children 15 and under. We are proposing incremental tour increases as follows:
  • • Beginning October 1, 2019: $8, adults. $5, 62 and older and all pass holders.
    • Beginning October 1, 2020: $10, adults. $6, adults 62 and older and all pass holders.
  • Although fee increases are proposed for adult house tour tickets, house tour tickets for children (aged 15 and under) will remain free of charge. However, children’s tickets reserved online will incur a $1 online processing fee, to cover use of the recreation.gov reservation system. In-person, day-of-tour children’s tickets will remain completely free of charge.
  • Once recreation.gov reservations begin, one dollar ($1) of each online or in person adult tour ticket will cover the costs of using recreation.gov.
  • In order to provide more free opportunities for all visitors to enjoy the Sandburg Home, the park is adding five free tour days annually. In 2019: October 17 (park anniversary) and December 28 (Saturday after Christmas during the local school system’s Christmas break). In 2020: January 6 (Carl Sandburg’s birthday); April 11 (first weekend of the local school system’s spring break); and June 13 (the Sandburgs’ wedding anniversary).  
• I thought children’s tickets would remain free. $1 isn’t free. What happened? The use of recreation.gov requires a $1 online processing fee for every ticket reserved online, regardless of the ticket’s cost. The park learned of the $1 online processing fee for free children’s tour tickets after our public outreach and initial public comment period began on July 1, 2019. We updated our outreach information and extended the public comment deadline to allow time for additional comments. In-person, day-of-tour children’s tickets will remain completely free of charge.
• How do I make a tour reservation? Make an online reservation via recreation.gov up to 90 days in advance of your park visit. Bring a copy of your tour receipt with you on the day of your tour or show your digital receipt to park staff.
• Can I make a reservation for everyone in my party or do each of us have to make our own reservation? One person can make a reservation for up to 10 people. Your hard copy or digital receipt will be your small group’s tour ticket.
• Does my community group need to make a reservation? Yes, if your group size is 10 people or less, please use recreation.gov. If your group size is 11 people or more, please contact the park directly at 828-693-4178.
• Do commercial tours need to make reservations? Yes, please contact the park directly at 828-693-4178.
• Do educational groups need to make online reservations? There is no change to how educational school groups (K-12) make reservations. Please call 828-693-4178.
• Do I need to pay any fees or get tickets to walk the trails, use the restrooms, enjoy special events, or see the goats? No, you only need to pay for house tours. All other programs, performances, special events, trails, and facilities, including the goat barn, are free of charge and do not need tickets. We do not charge an entrance fee to enter the park.
•  Can I get a refund or exchange my tour reservation for a different day or time?  Yes. Cancellations can be made up until 11:59 pm on the day before your tour. Keep in mind that there is a non-refundable $1.00 fee per ticket. Exchanges may be made in advance online if tickets are still available. Exchanges made be made in-person on the day of a tour, if tickets are still available.
• How do I get a refund or exchange my tour reservation? Visit recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777.
• Where do I park? We have a few different parking lots. Please see our parking information at https://www.nps.gov/carl/planyourvisit/parking.htm. Remember to allow at least 20 minutes to get from any parking area to the Sandburg Home.
• Where does the house tour start? How long does it take to get there from the parking lot? The tour starts on the ground floor of the Sandburg Home. Remember to allow at least 20 minutes to get from any parking area to the Sandburg Home.
• I have a disabled parking tag. How do I go on a tour? Make a reservation at recreation.gov (preferred). Any tickets not sold in advance via recreation.gov will be available to walk-in visitors on a first come, first served basis. We accommodate visitors with special needs to the best of our ability with accessible parking spaces and via our seasonal shuttle. Signs in our main parking lot direct visitors to all parking and shuttle options.
• What if all the disabled spaces are full? Park staff will work with disabled visitors to accommodate their needs.
• Under what authority are you allowed to raise fees? 54 USC 101702 provides the following authority:

(c)Sale of Products and Produced in the Conduct of Living Exhibits and Interpretive Demonstrations.—To facilitate the administration of the System, the Secretary, under such terms and conditions as the Secretary considers advisable, may—
(1) sell at fair market value, without regard to the requirements of chapters 1 to 11 of title 40 and division C (except sections 3302, 3307(e), 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41, products and services produced in the conduct of living exhibits and interpretive demonstrations in System units;