U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole introduced legislation Monday that authorizes the expansion of the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site by an additional 115 acres above its current size of 264 acres. Sen. Richard Burr is co-sponsoring the bill.
The home and farm near Flat Rock, known as Connemara, was the populist poet’s residence from 1954 until his death in 1967. Dole’s move was prompted by a review of the site’s management plan and recent concern that encroaching development might harm the scenic and historic nature of the homesite.
Five acres of the requested expansion are needed for a visitor center and additional visitor parking. The balance is needed to maintain the integrity of the site’s boundaries and views.
Expansion of the Sandburg Home has the support of the Flat Rock Village Council, the Henderson County Board of Commissioners, the Greater Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce, and the Travel and Tourism Committee of Henderson County. However, no federal funding is available yet for land acquistion.
— Kent Priestley, staff writer
