Last updated: September 8, 2023
Thing to Do
Tour the Sandburg Home
NPS Photo
Sandburg Home tour availability varies by season.
Taking a guided tour of the historic Carl Sandburg Home is an insightful glimpse into the lives of the Sandburg family. Tours of the home are 30-minutes and include access to 11 furnished rooms over the top two floors of the three story house.
The interior appers almostly exactly how it looked when the Sandburg family lived here. Take a tour inside the home to learn about the story of Carl Sandburg's legacy to America's literary history, Mrs. Sandburg's leadership in agriculture, and the many family memories and moments experienced at home.
Make advance reservations for Sandburg Home tours at recreation.gov!
Access to the historically furnished rooms is by guided tour only.
Sandburg Home Guided Tour Fee: Tours are free until further notice.
- Tours are available Thursday to Sunday at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm.
- Advance reservations available at recreation.gov. 10 people per 30-minute tour. Tours are free until October 1, 2023. Advanced reservations, are strongly recommended as day-of visit, last minute tickets may not be available.
- Beginning October 5, house tours fees will resume. 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. All America the Beautiful Interagency Passholders will receive a discount on tour tickets.
- House tour fees fund interpretive and preservation efforts in the house, including house tours, free school programs, exhibits and curatorial support for the 38,000 museum objects on display in the house.
- The only way to see the furnished interior of the Sandburg Home is through a guided tour or on a virtual tour.
Taking a guided tour of the historic Carl Sandburg Home is an insightful glimpse into the lives of the Sandburg family. Tours of the home are 30-minutes and include access to 11 furnished rooms over the top two floors of the three story house.
The interior appers almostly exactly how it looked when the Sandburg family lived here. Take a tour inside the home to learn about the story of Carl Sandburg's legacy to America's literary history, Mrs. Sandburg's leadership in agriculture, and the many family memories and moments experienced at home.
Make advance reservations for Sandburg Home tours at recreation.gov!
Access to the historically furnished rooms is by guided tour only.
Sandburg Home Guided Tour Fee: Tours are free until further notice.
- Reservations: Reserving in advance at recreation.gov lets you pick your preferred house tour time. Advanced reservations, are strongly recommended as day-of visit, last minute tickets may not be available. (The only way to see the furnished interior of the Sandburg Home is through a guided tour.).
- Strollers are not permitted on the house tour, but there is a place to leave them for storage. Infants and small children should be carried through the house while on tour.
Details
Duration
30-40 Minutes
Activity
Guided Tours
Age(s)
0 and Older
Pets Allowed
Yes with Restrictions
Service dogs only. No other pets are permitted inside the home.
Activity Fee
Yes
Adults age 16-61 - $10.00
Adults age 62 and older, and all interagency pass holders - $6.00
Children age 15 and under - $0.00
Reservations
Yes
Online house tour reservations available at https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/300005. Child reservations online will incur $1.00 processing fee. Day-of-tour walk up child tickets are free.
Season
Year Round
Time of Day
Day
First tour begins at 10:00 am, last tour begins at 4:00 pm. Tours are offered hourly during the day.
Accessibility Information
The Sandburg Home is a three-story antebellum home built in 1838. The ground floor is accessible as it is on ground level with small ramps at the thresholds. The main level is accessible by stairs or a lift for visitors using mobility devices. The top level is only accessible by stairs, however the bulk of the visitor tour is on the ground and main level of the home.
Assistance Available During Your Visit
- A walker and wheelchair are available by request.
- Assisted listening devices are available for the house tour and videos
- A shuttle operates seasonally from the restrooms near the parking lot to the house and barn