PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDALUSIA FARM

MILLEDGEVILLE—Andalusia Farm, the fabled home of author Flannery O’Connor, will extend its regular hours for a monthly open-mic series on Thursdays, July 20, Aug. 17 and Sept. 21.

Thursdalusia, a drop-in, open-mic evening moderated by Daniel Wilkinson, an actor and teacher, runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. This is its second season. The farm is normally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Sunday.

Anyone who wishes to present anything will have five minutes on the backyard deck at the farm. Musical groups and theater acts can combine their allotted minutes to perform. The 500-plus-acre former dairy farm at 2628 N. Columbia St. (U.S. Highway 441), four miles north of downtown Milledgeville, is where O’Connor wrote most of the work establishing her as one of the world’s foremost 20th century writers and one whose works were illuminated by her Catholic faith. She lived there from 1951 until her death in 1964 from lupus. She was 39. She received the National Book Award posthumously in 1972.

In her writing, O’Connor frequently references farm light. Sunsets on the farm can be dramatic and the sun and the woods often look like they are on fire. The new seasonal hours are in place so visitors can experience the sunsets as O’Connor did.

“Andalusia in the evening is particularly beautiful. The waning light casts a magical spell on the landscape,” said Elizabeth Wylie, the farm’s executive director. “We are also excited to showcase and celebrate the creative spirit in our open-mic program. Third Thursday Thursdalusia is a wonderful low-key opportunity to try out a song or poem or just tell a story in a fun and supportive environment.”

The evening hours offer added opportunities to tour the main house, where O’Connor and her mother lived, visit the peafowl, enjoy the property and shop in the store. A mile-long nature trail loops through the woods along Tobler Creek and there is indoor and outdoor seating. Small groups and families are welcome, as are picnics, and leashed pets. Volumes of O’Connor’s books are scattered about for visitors to read a short story in the place it was written. Refreshments are provided during Thursdalusia. The program will take place on the Nail House deck.

Admission to Andalusia Farm is free, although visitors are encouraged to make a $10 contribution.

The nonprofit Flannery O’Connor Andalusia Foundation, established in 2001, is dedicated to preserving Andalusia Farm and fostering appreciation of her literary contributions.