Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara

06/19/2026

Juneteenth is one of the oldest known commemorations related to the abolition of slavery in the US.
Juneteenth celebrates the date of June 19, 1865, when enslaved people of African descent located in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom from the slavery system in the United States. Learn more about Juneteenth Commemorations at national parks around the nation in this article:

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/juneteenth.htm?fbclid=IwdGRleASh25ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xNzM4NDc2NDI2NzAzNzAAAR4d1ZJ_GUDoGf5uPRBaZO-8ky-nrpruvkB_wbmrVKkYPlcWVgU6CcCR94ejaA_aem_wb1o4VulyUL9MYV2rSgrNg

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06/19/2026

Juneteenth, June 19th…..

James Melvin Fisher began working for the Smyth family in 1911 or 1912. He served as Ellison Smyth’s valet and later chauffeur. Fisher remained in Henderson County until his death in 1978. He was interviewed by park staff in 1975 and left a record of his life and work here in his own voice. This i...

06/18/2026

The kickoff of The Rootabaga Express by Flat Rock Playhouse’s 2026 apprentice class was a big success! A visit by the Henderson County Mobile Library enhanced this special occasion too! The audience of all ages thoroughly enjoyed this fun filled animated production celebrating a few of the wacky whimsical tales from Rootabaga Stories by Carl Sandburg. It was truly a celebration of whimsy and a laugh out loud event. If you missed today’s event, not to worry - there are more shows to come.
The delightful children stories written by Sandburg will continue to be played out on stage by young players from the Flat Rock Playhouse- see dates below. See you there!

Location: Carl Sandburg Amphitheater start time 10:15am
Show Dates:
Thursday, June 18
Saturday, June 20
Thursday, June 25
Saturday, June 27
Thursday, July 2
*NO SHOW SATURDAY, JULY 4*
Thursday, July 9
Saturday, July 11
Thursday, July 16
Saturday, July 18
*NO SHOWS THURSDAY, JULY 23 & SATURDAY, JULY 25*
Thursday, July 30
Saturday, August 1

Let the fun and shenanigans begin.........

06/17/2026

June 18th 10:15 am……… some important “know before you go “ info………

The ‘Rootabaga Express’ performances at Carl Sandburg Home NHS begin tomorrow at 10:15am, and there are some things you should know before you arrive!

1. PARKING: Visitors coming to see the performance should park in the Main Visitor Parking Lot. Once that lot is full, we ask that you park across the street at the Flat Rock Playhouse, NOT in the Hiker’s lot. If you park at the Playhouse, plan to move your car by noon or risk being blocked in during performances there.

2. ACCESSIBILITY: With the dam and bridge out of commission, there is a short 0.25 mile hike to the amphitheater. If you have accessibility needs, the park will be running a shuttle from the Main Parking Lot to the amphitheater, otherwise, please plan to make the walk.

3. TIMING: Please plan to arrive 20-30 minutes early to find a seat, get to the amphitheater and settle in for the performance!

4. FACILITIES: There are currently no flushable restrooms or working water fountains after you leave the main parking lot. The park has Porta Johns throughout the park and bottled water for sale in the visitor center.

Call (828) 693-4178 for more information.

Image Description: Five actors in colorful clothes perform the ‘Rootabaga Express’ on the amphitheater stage at Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site

06/15/2026

This is the week the fun begins………
Beep Beep…… Rootabaga Stories and The Mobile Library to Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. This Thursday, June 18th shows starts at 10:15 am

Carl's Rootabaga Stories are coming to the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site Amphitheater, and the Mobile Library will be there on Thursday, June 18th to join in the festivities. Be sure to step aboard to check out the book selections, sign up for a library card if needed, and discover some new summer reading books.
The delightful children stories written by Sandburg will be played out on stage by young players from the Flat Rock Playhouse- see dates below. It's a fun musical show for kids and adults. See you there!

Location: Carl Sandburg Amphitheater start time 10:15am
Show Dates:
Thursday, June 18
Saturday, June 20
Thursday, June 25
Saturday, June 27
Thursday, July 2
*NO SHOW SATURDAY, JULY 4*
Thursday, July 9
Saturday, July 11
Thursday, July 16
Saturday, July 18
*NO SHOWS THURSDAY, JULY 23 & SATURDAY, JULY 25*
Thursday, July 30
Saturday, August 1

Let the fun and shenanigans begin.........

06/13/2026

Support our Nonprofit -
A donor is selling her paintings of the female (doe) goats of the Connemara herd. The paintings can be seen at The Gallery at Flat Rock. Proceeds will go to the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara. See her poster below for details.

06/13/2026

Fun fact…… goat gut news……..

06/12/2026

If you’re heading into Downtown Hendersonville NC this weekend, be sure to check out the Friends of Carl Sandburg’s “Treasure Bear” just outside of Mikes on Main at the corner of 3rd and Main Street. Soak in all the amazing details honoring several treasured National Parks across the country. BearFootin auction will be in October. Be sure to follow our page and stay in the know.

06/11/2026

We welcome Carl Sandburg Home National Historic site’s new superintendent Ashley Pipkin. More news to come on a special celebration.

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site News Release
Carl Sandburg Home Welcomes New Superintendent

For Immediate Release: June 11, 2026
Contact: [email protected]

FLAT ROCK, N.C. — The National Park Service has selected Ashley Pipkin to serve as the next superintendent of Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. Pipkin will begin her new role June 24.
“Carl Sandburg Home is a special place where history, literature and landscape come together,” said Superintendent Ashley Pipkin. “I’m honored to join this community and look forward to helping preserve and share its stories and legacy.”
Pipkin currently serves in the NPS Overflights Program, where she has been the acting program manager for the past year. Before assuming that position, she worked as a planner for the program, developing and implementing multiparty agreements and Air Tour Management Plans for parks across the country.
Since beginning her NPS career in 2011, Pipkin has worked extensively in western parks, providing technical assistance on night skies and natural sounds. She has emphasized connecting communities with park resources throughout her career.
She previously served as acting superintendent of Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument and has held resource management roles at Boston Harbor Islands, Isle Royale, and Lake Mead.
Pipkin earned her graduate degree from Texas A&M University and her undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina.
A native of South Carolina, Pipkin said she looks forward to returning to the eastern deciduous forest landscape. She will relocate from Boulder City, Nevada, to the Flat Rock area with her husband and two children.

06/11/2026

Another wonderful B.A.R.K Ranger Spotlight…..
Meet Cosmo (on the left) a newly sworn in Bark Ranger learning the ropes from his seasoned Ranger friend Barley. Thank you for being amazing BARK Rangers and visiting the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, and thank you and your humans for sharing your story with us too.

Want to share your B.A.R.K Ranger with us?
Calling all B.A.R.K Rangers……. please send via messenger a photo of your four legged Ranger and a snippet of information with us, so we can share here on our social sights.
What is the program about? How can my dog become a Ranger? Here’s how-
Take them to visit the Carl Sandburg National Home Historic Site. Swing by the bookstore/ garage and pick up a bark ranger pledge card, complete the activities, take the pledge- then you and your four legged furry friend can become an official B.A.R.K Ranger! Is your furry one already a Ranger? We’d love to see pics- please direct message photos to us with your dogs name and favorite sniffing spot at the park. Let’s have some fun! For more information on the program, please visit:
www.nps.gov/carl/planyourvisit/pets.htm