House that Memminger built
Christopher Memminger, Secretary of Confederate Treasury built “Rock Hill” 1838. Second owner former Confederate soldier Colonel William Gregg never occupied home. Third owner industrialist Edward Adger Smythe changed the name of the estate to “Connemara”. In 1945 Carl Sandburg, poet of the people, and Lillian Steichen Sandburg, owner of the prize winning Chikaming Goat Herd purchased the 245 acre estate. Upon Carl Sandburg’s death Lillian sold the home and property to the Department of Interior to be established as a National Historic Site.
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