Juneteenth Freedom Festival
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site will host its first Juneteenth Freedom Festival on Sunday, June 11, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., in cooperation with the Black History Collective of Henderson County. The event will be held at the amphitheater and feature poetry, music, and art demonstrations. A shuttle will transport people from the Main parking lot to the amphitheater, which has bench seating. Visitors are also welcome to bring lawn chairs.
Juneteenth marks the June 19, 1865, date when enslaved people in Texas learned of their emancipation. Recognized by Texas as a state holiday since 1980, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. To learn more, visit https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/juneteenth.htm.
Presenters include Antoine Fletcher from the African American Experiences in the Smokies Project; Christopher D. Sims, a poet, activist and spoken word performer; and Crystal Cauley, a creative writer, spoken word poet and African American advocate.
In addition, visitors can view new outdoor exhibits throughout the park which feature pre-Sandburg history. Many of the site’s historic structures were built in the 1800s, partially through the labor of enslaved Africans. After emancipation, many continued working at the site and nearby. The new outdoor exhibits, online information, and the site’s first community Juneteenth festival help recognize this history.
“Telling the stories of African American residents and workers honors their lives and promotes Sandburg’s legacy as the poet of the people, as a Civil War historian, and as a civil rights champion,” said Superintendent Polly Angelakis.
Shuttle and Parking
There are three parking options available: the Main parking lot, located on Little River Road 1/10 mile from Greenville Highway; the Village of Flat Rock Parking lot on Greenville Hwy; and the Hikers’ parking lot, located approximately 1 mile down Little River Road. Visitors with accessibility needs should pull into the Main parking lot and stop by the accessible parking spaces where a ranger will provide assistance. Other non-accessible parking lots are available in Flat Rock. For all festival, accessibility, shuttle, and parking information visit https://www.nps.gov/carl/planyourvisit/juneteenth.htm.
June 11 Sandburg Home Tours
During the festival free, first come, first served tours of the Sandburg Home will be available at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are available in the Visitor Center/Park Store in the ground floor of the Sandburg Home. The Visitor Center/Park Store will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For information on non-festival house tour reservations, please visit www.recreation.gov.
Front Lake Dam Failure
The failure of Front Lake dam blocked normal visitor access routes. Visitors can either walk the .7 mile steep uphill detour into the park or take the park shuttle, which runs from the Main parking lot into the park on Thursdays thru Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors with mobility concerns are strongly encouraged to visit when the shuttle is running. For limited accessibility options on other days, visit https://www.nps.gov/carl/planyourvisit/parking.htm.
The Sandburg Home and Park Store/Visitor Center are open Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Access to the goat farm is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Access to grounds, trails, and the farm is free. Leashed pets are allowed on trails and grounds. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. For park updates and all parking options visit www.nps.gov/carl or follow the park on Facebook.