National Park Fee Free Days 2019
Free entrance days to all national parks and free tours of the Sandburg Home in 2019.
- Saturday, September 28 – National Public Lands Day
- Monday, November 11 – Veterans Day
Sandburg Home Free Tour Days 2019-2020
Visitors can enjoy free tours of the Sandburg Home on the following days:
- October 17, 2019 (park anniversary)
- December 28, 2019 (Saturday after Christmas)
- January 6, 2020 (Carl Sandburg's Birthday)
- April 11, 2020 (first Saturday of local school spring break)
- June 13, 2020 (Sandburgs' wedding anniversary)
Until October 31
“Dressing for the Occasion: Mid-Century Sandburg as Celebrity and Family Man”
*Included with the house tour
The exhibit is part of the Sandburg Home tour and features clothing and accessories from both the park’s permanent collection and loaned items from the Sandburg family. “Dressing for the Occasion” offers visitors a window into the style, culture, and feel of mid-century America. The family’s clothing and accessories weave together the roles of Carl Sandburg as a prominent writer, celebrity, father, and husband. This temporary exhibit offers an exciting opportunity for the public to view objects that are normally in storage or in the possession of Sandburg family members. Tours of the Sandburg Home are offered daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are available first come, first served, each day from the visitor information area in the ground level of the Sandburg Home. Learn more about the exhibit here.
Citizenship Day Naturalization Ceremony (no ceremony for 2019)
We hope to schedule this event again in 2020.
October 1 (Tuesday)
House Tour Changes Begin
Beginning October 1, 2019, fees for house tours will increase to $8 for adults; and $5 for adults 62 and older, including all America the Beautiful Interagency pass holders. Additional changes include a reduction in tour size from 15 people to 12, and implementation of an online reservation system. The park will add 5 additional free tour days annually. Learn more about the changes here.
October 15 (Tuesday) from 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Dylan at Connemara
“Dylan at Connemara” explores the 1964 meeting between Carl Sandburg and Bob Dylan. Through song, story, and wild speculation it answers what happened the day Bob Dylan arrived in Flat Rock, NC and knocked on Carl Sandburg’s door. The show features the songs of Bob Dylan from the years up to and following 1964 as well as selections from Carl Sandburg’s American Songbag and canon of poetry. The work of Dylan and Sandburg are woven into the story of their meeting in a show that provides perspective on how that event fits into the context of American cultural history. The program is presented by The Gathering Dark, a songwriting duo which includes, Josh Dunkin, who hails from Tennessee by way of Chicago, and Steven DuRose, who hails from Ohio by way of Los Angeles. It will be held at the amphitheater and is free and open to the public, thanks to support from the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara.
October 19 (Saturday) from 9:00 am to Noon
Community Reading of Carl Sandburg’s Pulitzer Prize-winning collection of poetry, "The Complete Poems."
“The Complete Poems”, is a collection of Sandburg poetry that was first published between 1916–1950. It won a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1951. The collection starts with the infamous Chicago Poems and reflects a portrait of America that can still be observed today. The community is invited to read 5-minute segments of the collection for the audience throughout the day at the amphitheater. This program is supported by the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara. Learn more and sign up here.
November 30 (Saturday) from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Christmas at Connemara
Musicians and storytellers, crafts and sing-a-longs, hot cider and cookies. This free festive celebration will honor Carl Sandburg and his family holiday traditions. Young visitors will find many opportunities for participation in storytelling, sing-a-longs and crafts. The house will be decorated in the simple style of the Sandburgs with poinsettias and a traditionally decorated Christmas tree throughout December until January 6th, 2020.
