Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site Visitor Center

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Visitor Center for Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site is located on the bottom floor of the Sandburg House. There is a fee to tour the house, but not to enter the Visitor Center section.

OPERATING HOURS

The Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site Visitor Center is Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 AM to 4 PM, except when closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Keep in mind that times can always change, so before making travel plans be sure to check the National Park Service’s official Operating Hours and Seasons web page for the latest schedule.

AMENITIES

• Ranger-staffed information desk where you can pick up a park brochure and trail map
• Purchase tickets for a tour of the Sandburg house (credit / debit card only)
• Media room where you can watch two park films
• Book and souvenir store

Exhibit in the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site Visitor Center

PARK FILMS

Two short videos are shown in the TV room on request. Each is about 12 minutes long. One video is an edited version of a 1954 interview of Sandburg by journalist Edward R. Murrow. During the show, Sandburg answers questions, recites poetry, reads from some of his books, and even sings and plays guitar. Watch carefully to catch Murrow smoking a cigarette as he introduces Sandburg. I have seen the George Clooney-produced “Good Night, Good Luck” about Murrow and got a laugh out of scenes with him smoking cigarettes while interviewing people on TV, so I wasn’t entirely shocked. I know it’s 1954 and times were different, but how addicted to cigarettes do you have to be that you can’t even do your TV job without smoking one?

The second video, My Connemara, is narrated by Sandburg’s granddaughter, Paula. She reminisces about life at Connemara, and while the film certainly discusses Sandburg’s life, it equally focuses on the home itself and life in the Sandburg family.

If possible, watch these videos before the house tour so you have a little info on Sandburg. You’ll see the house as it was many years ago, and on the tour you will notice that the house hasn’t changed much since the videos. When Lilian Sandburg sold the house to the National Park Service, she literally left everything—furniture, books, piano, and other personal items.

Theater room in the Visitor Center of Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site

SCHEDULING YOUR TIME

Other than watching the two films, the only thing to do at the Visitor Center is purchase a house tour ticket or a souvenir. A half hour should be plenty of time for your visit.

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