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Carl Sandburg: A Driving Tour
of Historic Sites in Galesburg
Biography
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Association By-Laws Rev.
August 13, 2019
Pay Your Membership Dues Online!
OR
__________________________ ________________________Other Readings & Related Websites
NEW!
Carl Sandburg Poems, Bio, Timeline, Gallery NEW!
Carl Sandburg's Wisdom Through Humor
Obama, Sandburg and Lincoln
An Essay: The Wisdom of Carl and Paula Sandburg
Read all the entries in the 2003 Sandburg Days Memoir-Writing Contest, or
the 2002 ones, or
the 2001 ones, or
the winning entries in the 2000 contest.
Carl Sandburg Historic Site - articles
from Galesburg Register-Mail (Nov 2007 - present)
by Julian Yanover
by Walter G. Moss (pdf)
by Walter G. Moss
(pdf)
by Walter G. Moss (pdf)
2017 Sandburg Days Festival 2017
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April 27-29, 2017
In Memoriam
In Memoriam
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The Carl Sandburg
Historic Site Association is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt
organization. Donations and contributions are tax-deductible
as allowed by law.
Helga Sandburg Crile
1918-2014
On Sunday evening, January
26, 2014, Helga Sandburg Crile, died in Cleveland
Heights, Ohio at the age of 95. Helga was the
youngest of three daughters of Carl & Lilian
Steichen Sandburg.
We invite you to
click anywhere within this announcement and read
the beautiful obituary penned by Helga's daughter,
Paula Steichen Polega.
Penelope Niven
1939-2014
Penelope Niven, 75, acclaimed
biographer of
Carl Sandburg dies in Winston-Salem,
North Carolina,
Thursday, August 28, 2014
In Memoriam
Charles "Chuck" J. Bednar
March 7, 1936 - September 18, 2018
It is with great sadness that
we announce the death of Charles "Chuck" Bednar.
His mother, Juanita, was a driving force in the
purchase, restoration and early operations of Carl
Sandburg's birthplace cottage. Chuck
followed in her footsteps and was involved with
the Site and its support group over the years.
After returning to Galesburg in retirement, Chuck
served six years on the Board of Directors of the
Carl Sandburg Historic Site Association and as
President (2011-2014). The impressive 9-foot
statue of Carl Sandburg centrally located in
Galesburg's downtown was realized due to Chuck's
visionary leadership. He had a great
knowledge of Sandburg and American history and
literature. Chuck will be deeply
missed.
In Memoriam
Helen
"Tede" Verner
March 8, 1937 - Feburary 1, 2019
"Tede" was involved with the
Carl Sandburg Historic Site and member of the
CSHSA board for many years. She will be missed.
Thank you, Tede, for your years of service to so
many!
Obituary
https://www.h-p-w.com/notices/MissHelenTede-Verner
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In Memoriam Stanford Shover September 9, 1927 - December 17, 2019 |
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"  Note: The photo below is from Stan's 91st birthday last year taken by J. Michael Hobbs. |
Stanford
Shover, former board member of the Carl Sandburg
Historic Site Association. Stan was passionate
about all things Carl Sandburg. Much of the
success of the Penny Parades in the last decade
can be attributed to the seeds he sowed within the
Abingdon community to support the Sandburg State
Historic Site. Thank you Stan, for a life
well-lived.
Obituary |
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In Memoriam James Michael "Mike" Hobbs December 28, 1948 - March 15, 2023 |
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Photo of J. Michael "Mike" Hobbs at a reception at the Carl Sandburg State Historic Site, March 25, 2017, courtesy of J. Richard Sayre. |
Since 2007 Mike had served on the Board of Directors of the Carl Sandburg Historic Site Association. In 2009 he became the editor of Inklings & Idlings, the Association's quarterly newsletter through the most recent Winter 2022-2023 issue. Mike had the unique ability to identify and effectively persuade friends and strangers who he thought had something of value to contribute to the newsletter. He made a good many friends across the U.S. & Sweden for the Association through his efforts. We are indebted to Mike for his many years of tireless service.
Obituary
ALSO to Inklings & Idlings Spring 2023
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Carl Sandburg Historic Site Association
P.O. Box 585 | 313 E. Third St. | Galesburg, Illinois 61402-0585 |309-342-2361
Reflection
Dusty Scott (2017) - Acrylic on canvas
(With
permission of the artist-To see full image click on the
image above)
Carl Sandburg Historic Site Association
P.O. Box 585
313 E. Third St.
Galesburg, Illinois 61402-0585
309-342-2361
The Carl Sandburg
Historic Site Association is a
501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.
Donations and contributions are
tax-deductible as allowed by law.
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Historic Site beginning Oct. 15, 2025 New Hours of operation for the Visitor's Center and Sandburg's Birthplace Cottage Wednesday - Sunday 9:00am - 4:00 pm ______ The grounds are always open to the public. |
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Sandburg Songbag Series Second Sundays of each month March - November 2026 2:00-4:00 pm The Barn Please Join Us!! |
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Next Songbag Sunday, Mar 8, 2026 TBA  |
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The first set starts at 2:00 p.m.
and the second set starts at 3:15
p.m. Refreshments available
between sets.
Songbag Concerts are a
collaboration between the Carl
Sandburg Historic Site Association
and Illinois Department of Natural
Resources, along with a generous
grant from the Mark & Celia Godsil
Family Fund.
Carl Sandburg was a collector and performer of America's folks songs. The Concert Series is named in honor of Sandburg's book THE AMERICAN SONGBAG published in 1927. The Carl Sandburg State Historic Site includes the home where the famed poet and biographer was born and now rests. |
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Songbag Concerts - 20225 Songbag Concerts - 2024Songbag Concerts - 2024 Songbag Concerts - 2023 Songbag Concerts - 2022 Songbag Concerts - 2021 Songbag Concerts - 2020 Songbag Concerts - 2019 Songbag Concerts - Fall 2018 Songbag Concerts - Spring 2018 Songbag Concerts - Fall 2017 Songbag Concerts - Spring 2017 Songbag Concerts - Fall 2016 Songbag Concert Spring 2016 Songbag Concert Fall 2015 Songbag Concert Spring 2015 |
Carl Sandburg in Neponset Plaque Dedication Ceremony
October 3, 2024
Article submitted by Ed Safiran
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Our newest series!  The Carl Sandburg Historic Site Association (Galesburg, IL) is pleased to introduce a new series featuring the life and works of Carl Sandburg, entitled "Letters from a Sandburg Docent" by Dr. John W. Quinley. ENJOY!
Dr. John W. Quinley, a retired college administrator and faculty member, was raised in Maywood, Illinois, just a few blocks away from where Sandburg lived 30 years earlier. He served as a docent for Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site for several years, and is the author of Discovering Carl Sandburg: The Eclectic Life of an American Icon (2022). He and his wife, Melissa, live in Hendersonville, North Carolina, just a few miles from Sandburg's former home.
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Sandburg's Hometown A Selected Anthology by Barbara Schock (2024) Just published...Now Available Meet the Author Book Signing December 13, 2025 10:00am - 1:00pm  Local Author Fair Galesburg Public Library 234 W. Main St. Galesburg, IL 61401 |
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Sandburg’s Hometown: A Selected Anthology by Barbara Schock (CSHSA, 2024) Now Available!
The Carl Sandburg Historic
Site Association is delighted to announce the print
publication of Barbara Schock’s Sandburg’s
Hometown: A Selected Anthology. The book
was released in early March 2024. It includes 145
of Schock’s original 401 “Sandburg’s Hometown” articles
originally posted on our sandburg.org website over a
10-year period from 2013-2022. Schock’s articles
focused on the people, the institutions and issues that
shaped late 19th-century Galesburg, Illinois, during
Carl Sandburg’s boyhood. Many articles were
inspired by Sandburg’s autobiography Always the
Young Strangers published in 1953. Numerous
historical images illustrate Schock’s entertaining and
informative articles. The publication of
Sandburg’s Hometown was made possible in part by a
grant from the Galesburg Community Foundation, as well
as generous support from the late J. Michael Hobbs.
The book was edited by J. Richard Sayre. All
proceeds go to support the work of the Carl Sandburg
Historic Site Association. How to get your copy! Sandburg’s Hometown: A Selected Anthology is available for a total $23.97 [$21.99 + $1.98 (9% Sales Tax)] from:
The Visitor’s Center Museum Store at the
331 E. Third St., Galesburg, IL 61401 (309-342-2361)
10%
discount for CSHSA Members!
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Also available locally from: Wordsmith Bookshoppe 235 East Main Street, Galesburg, IL 61401 (309-351-7767) URL: https://www.wordsmithbookshoppe.com
More Order Options
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Carl Sandburg Historic Site Association |
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Annual "Giving Tuesday"
Fundraiser
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Events from 2023
Knox County's Hidden Hills Winery & Vineyard
reveals their newest wine in honor of Galesburg's
native son,
Carl Sandburg and the Carl Sandburg
HIstoric Site Association!
Thank you David, Chancy & Holly for your support!!
Check out the Hidden Hills website for a video of the presentation!
Slummen-får-sin-hämnd:
by Pierre Schori (2023)
We are pleased to announce the recent publication
of the latest Carl Sandburg biography, by Pierre
Schori, former Swedish ambassador to the United
Nations. Members of our Association have been
delighted and privileged to correspond with Pierre
over the past three years while he has been
working on chronicling his life-long obsession
with Carl Sandburg!
Congratulations, Pierre, on this publication!
Currently the book is only available in Swedish.
Your browser may provide an English translation
option for reading this link from the publisher's
website. Also linked below are a few additional
posts in English for the book's preface and
chapter listings that Pierre has provided us, as
well as an article soon to be published in KULTUR
NÖJE!
Författaren Carl Sandburg och drömmen
om ett
demokratiskt Amerika
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Discovering Carl Sandburg: by Dr. John W. Quinley (2022)
We are pleased to announce that CSHSA member,  Foreword by J. Michael Hobbs, editor of Inklings & Idlings, CSHSA's quarterly newsletter. About the Author Dr. John W. Quigley was raised in Maywood, Illinois— just a few blocks away from where Sandburg lived thirty years earlier. He is a retired college administrator and faculty member. He taught classes in history, government, and humanities and currently works as an adjunct instructor for American history for Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College in North Carolina. He and his wife Melissa live in Hendrsonville, NC—just a few miles from Sandburg’s former home. |
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Carl Sandburg: Poet, Politician & Prophet by Dr. Lawrence Webb (2022)
We are pleased to announce that CSHSA member,  |
Thank you to those of you who were able to join us
for a delightful book-signing event with former
CSHSA President Barry Swanson upon the
publication of his historical novel, Still Points!
Thursday, April 28, 2-4pm
Copies of STILL POINTS are available at our Museum Store.
| Zoom Recording Available if you missed this informative presentation with Dr. Quinley. |
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Carl Sandburg Historic
Site Association Officers & Board of Directors 2023-2024 (as of May 2024) |
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| Pat Kane, president | Emily duGranrut |
| Don Moffitt, vice-pres. | Erin Glasnovich |
| Mike Panther, secretary | Nicholas Regiacorte |
| J. Richard Sayre, treas. | Seamus Reilly |
| Cianja Bone | Gary Wagle |
| Andrew Chernin | |
| Rex Cherrington |
Scott Roman,
ex-officio
(IDNR Site Supervisor) |
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Annual Penny Parade Fundraisers
PLEASE NOTE: At present there are no plans for a Penny Parade Fundraiser with the Galesburg area public schools in the near future. ---------- Congratulations
on an awesome Penny Parade 2019! A tradition started in 1961, the Association and IDNR held the culmination of the annual Penny Parade Fundraiser or April 25. Students and the community turned in pennies and other donations collected primarily at area schools. Attendees, primarily students, participated in a variety of activities. Students from Silas Ward Elementary School presented “The Wedding Procession of the Rag Doll and the Broom Handle and Who Was in It.” Thank you to all who contributed and came to this important fundraiser!
Photos on Facebook from the Penny Parade 2019 Program. Emcee Mike Panther, Musician Erin Glasnovich, Student presentations from several of the schools representing Hedding (Abingdon), Gale, Galesburg Christian, King, Nielson, Silas Willard, and Steele! Thanks to all!!
Penny Parade 2019 - $1,118.33 (as of 5/14/2019) Penny Parade 2013 - $3,134.36 Penny Parade 2012 - $2,189.52 Contributions may also be mailed to: Penny Parade 2019 Carl Sandburg Historic Site Association PO Box 585 Galesburg, IL 61402-0585 |
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Illinois Turns 200 - Bicentennial Podcast Series  |
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Illinois Turns
200: Galesburg Edition Sunday, November 4
at 2:00 pm Carl Sandburg State
Historic Site 313 E 3rd St. Galesburg, IL 61401 The episode explores an
ongoing debate about which window Abraham Lincoln
used as an exit from Knox College’s Old Main; the
role played by Galesburg’s founders in the
Underground Railroad; the Boxcar People from
Mexico who worked on the rails and created a
community in the early twentieth century; the
early career of the inventor of modern advertising
Earnest Elmo Caulkins; current efforts to
revitalize downtown through local businesses and
culture; the creation of a recent community by
Congolese immigrants; and, of course, the life and
career of poet, historian, and journalist Carl
Sandburg.
Programs are free and
open to the public. Seating is limited.
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Featuring 8-year old Nakshatra Neeraja reciting "I Am the People" |
| From Kuwait: First Prize for English Poem Recitation to 8-year old Nakshatra Neeraja performing Carl Sandburg's "I Am the People". This youtube video was shared with us by Nakshatra's proud father. Thank you Dr. Binu! Thank you, Nakshatra, for a wonderful performance! ENJOY! |
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Native Son, National
Treasure Endowment Campaign Carl Sandburg Historic Site Association |
 THANK YOU! With all of the challenges facing museums and historic sites in Illinois, it is time to redouble our efforts to protect the Carl Sandburg State Historic Site and the legacy of our native son and national treasure. To accomplish this goal, the Carl Sandburg Historic Site Association (CSHSA) was chosen by the Galesburg Community Foundation (GCF) to participate in an Endowment Match Program. Prior to the June 30, 2016 deadline the CSHSA raised just over $12,000 toward an endowment to support the Historic Site and the GCF has matched our efforts with the $10,000 matching grant. This is our initial effort to start an endowment and we hope to see it grow to a point where the interest from the endowment will be significant enough to enrich the Carl Sandburg Historic Site in the future. Thank you, especially, to the Galesburg Community Foundation for their efforts and support for preserving the heritage and history of Galesburg. CURRENT ENDOWMENT TOTAL $42,126 (as of 3/31/2024) |
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Donations may be mailed to: The Carl Sandburg Historic Site Association P.O. Box 585 Galesburg, IL 61402-0585 To send a donation online use the following Donate button: |
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Carl Sandburg Historic Site Association P.O. Box 585 |
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New to the Museum Store Beautiful Hand-thrown Stoneware Mugs custom-made by Deneen Pottery, St. Paul, MN Two glaze options: 1) Hunter Green with dijon white, and 2) Navy with Grey white $19.95 each + shipping Contact the Museum Bookstore [Email: sales@sandburg.org or Phone: 309-342-2361] |
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New to the Museum Bookstore!
Carl Sandburg: Galesburg and Beyond by George Swank 2016 limited reprint edition Originally Published in 1983 by the Galva Historical Society. $23.95 +shipping +tax |
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The
Day Carl Sandburg Died Produced and Directed by Paul Bonesteel PBS �2012 Available on DVD @ $24.99 +shipping +tax |
 A Visit with Carl Sandburg (DVD)We have transferred a recently-acquired rare 16mm film of a 1953 interview with Carl Sandburg to DVD and are making copies available to the public. It's a perfect introduction to Carl Sandburg, his admiration for Abraham Lincoln, and what he means to America. $12.00 + $5.00 shipping & tax |
The
Carl Sandburg State Historic Site, 313 E. Third St., Galesburg,
Illinois, is open from 9am until 5pm on Thursdays through Sundays,
April through November, and for special events such as festivals,
meetings, concerts and lectures. Even when we are not open, you are
welcome to browse in our garden or meditate at Remembrance Rock.
If you come by car or have an FM radio with you,
tune to 88.7 and listen to a brief presentation about Carl Sandburg and
the Historic Site. Three audio segments rotate: a short biography
narrated by Rick Heath; a tribute to Carl Sandburg by President Lyndon
B. Johnson and Sandburg's Grammy Award-winning narration of Aaron
Copland's "A Lincoln Portrait." Enjoy them all.
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Special Events at the Carl Sandburg Visitors' Center |
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We are grateful to Erin Glasnovich and members of CSHSA's Songbag Committee for coordinating the Sandburg Songbag Concert Series this year for the Association.We are grateful to Erin Glasnovich and members of CSHSA's Songbag Committee for coordinating the Sandburg Songbag Concert Series this year for the Association.
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Contact the Carl Sandburg Historic Site Association: Suggest performers or get information about the Songbag Concert Series: carl@sandburg.org |
The
Carl Sandburg Historic Site is supported by the State of Illinois and
the nonprofit Carl Sandburg Historic Site Association. The Association
sponsors and participates in many activities throughout the year to
honor and remember Carl Sandburg. These include the "Penny Parade"
which brings schoolchildren to the site to have fun while learning
about Galesburg's most famous son. The Association is a participating
sponsor of the Sandburg Days Festival For The Mind held each April. It
hosts the Songbag Concert Series of folk music concerts (and sometimes
other genres) held inside the Visitor's Center "Barn" theatre in the
fall, winter and spring. Details of upcoming concerts are also
available on the CSHSA Website.
The Association meets at 7pm on the second Tuesday of each month in the
Visitors' Center. Guests and interested visitors are always welcome.
The
Carl Sandburg Historic Site Association planned and funded a perennial
garden and quotation walk in the back yard. The plantings are
appropriate to Sandburg's era and surround Remembrance Rock, where the
ashes of Carl Sandburg, his wife, Lilian, and two daughters, Margaret
and Janet, are buried.
If you were looking for the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site in North Carolina, please go to
http://www.nps.gov/carl
Carl Sandburg Birthplace and
Visitor Center
The home where poet and author Carl Sandburg
was born and its adjacent grounds containing a park and garden are
located at 331 East Third Street on the south side of Galesburg,
Illinois. Click here for a map and access to directions. 
Next door is the Visitor's Center. It contains a museum, a museum shop,
a small theater where several informative videos about Carl Sandburg
are shown and a renovated "barn" which is actually a small theatre with
a few more exhibits and where live performances are often held. The
museum contains hundreds of artifacts and modern colorful displays
appropriate for all ages.
Copyright 2024 by the Carl Sandburg Historic Site Association.