Local association trying to “reopen” Galesburg Sandburg
site
By Karen S.
Lynch and Norm Winick
State
government is in turmoil waiting to see what happens to Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
The state budget is in a $4 billion hole. One of the most public budget cuts
implemented by the embattled governor was the shuttering of several State
Historic Sites and State Parks.
Despite a closed sign currently hanging
on the Visitors Center entrance at the Carl Sandburg Historic Site, the local
association is working behind the scenes to continue to promote the work and
life of Carl Sandburg and to again make the site and grounds the accessible
historical resource it should be.
It’s not
well know, but despite being “closed,” regular events are allowed to continue.
The annual Penny Parade celebration will be held at 11am on Friday, January
30th. Area schoolchildren have been collecting Lincoln pennies and other small change with
monies raised going towards special projects at the site.
The winter
lecture series, to be held on Sunday afternoons, is going ahead as are the folk
music concerts in the Songbag series. Several events
of the annual Sandburg Days Festival in April will be held at the site.
The Carl
Sandburg Historic Site Association, the local support group, meets monthly and
Tuesday approved a project to open the site to visitors even if the State
doesn’t provide adequate staffing.
They have
proposed a number of ideas to reopen the historic Sandburg home and grounds
— making them accessible to
visitors every day including days and times when the location would be closed
even if it were reopened.
TheAssociation purchased a low-power FM
transmitter and are preparing an audio self-guided tour. It will include an introduction to Carl
Sandburg and Galesburg and a description of the site and grounds. Visitors will
be able to listen to the audio recording from their car radios or any portable
FM radio while in range.
The
Association is also preparing signage so that the birthplace itself can be
viewed and understood from outside the buildings. Remembrance Rock and the
gardens will continue to be accessible. The combination of the audio tour and
lighting and signage in the cottage will enhance the educational experience for
visitors even if there is no human guide available.
In a letter
to Director of the Historic Preservation Agency, Jan Grimes, the Association notified the state of
the improvements they are making to the visitor experience: “With these
implementations, we are asking that the State of Illinois and our association
be allowed to promote the site as open.” Attractive informational signage will
be lit and visible inside the lighted cottage rooms, viewable from the outside
windows of the Sandburg birthplace.
The
Association also requested that the person on-site responsible for security and
maintenance be allowed to unlock the door of the Visitors’ Center so that
guests could tour the museum and maybe purchase something at the gift shop —
the Association’s main source of income. The proposal included no extra
expenses to the State of Illinois. Grimes responded positively that she would
seriously consider the request.
The future
of the site as a tourist attraction and educational resource is complicated not
only by the uncertainty in the Governor’s office but also by local events. Site
Superintendent Steve Holden announced Tuesday night at the board meeting that
he is retiring effective January 31st. Holden’s 19 years of service at the site
and extensive knowledge of Carl Sandburg will be difficult to replace. That
also throws a monkey wrench in the request to have him open the doors when he
is there anyway because it is unknown if there will be a new full-time person
on site or not.
Further
complicating things, for the good, is the stated intention of Lieutenant
Governor Pat Quinn to reopen the Historic Sites and State Parks if and when he
becomes Governor.
Improvements
being provided by the Association will continue in any case because they will
make the site more user-friendly even when it is open and especially on those
dates and times when it is not.
Beneath the
large granite stone, inscribed with Sandburg’s own words, “Remembrance Rock” is
the ashes of Carl Sandburg and his wife, Paula (Lilian). At his own request,
Sandburg and his wife are at rest in his hometown at the place of his birth.
Sandburg shall never be forgotten — at least not by those who feel he still has
a lot to say.
1/15/09