On a recent trip to Tennessee, I visited The Hermitage, the home of President Andrew Jackson.
It was the first time I had ever been to Tennessee. I was invited to the wedding of a former student and took the opportunity to spend a couple of gorgeous fall days sightseeing.
As a tour guide in Washington, D.C., I’m often at the White House with groups. An equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson stands in the center of Lafayette Park on the north side of the mansion. Turns out, Jackson was the President who added the carriage portico on the north side. He was also the first president to have a nickname – “Old Hickory”.
He got that nickname during the War of 1812 because his soldiers thought that he was “as tough as old hickory”.
The mansion is Greek revivalist style, complete with columns, both front and back. The massive pine trees at the front provide both shade from the heat and act as a buffer to trap dust from getting in the open windows of the home. At the time of Jackson’s death in 1845, the cotton plantation comprised more than 1100 acres.
This was the place that Jackson and his beloved wife, Rachel, called home. They lived in a log cabin on the original 425 acres while the main house was being built. It is a primarily brick structure with all the bricks having been made on the property. Although not overly large, it is an imposing house.
Docents in period dress guide daily tours through the house. Beginning in the grand entrance hall, and moving through the parlor, sitting room, and dining room, visitors can imagine what it was like to be entertained at The Hermitage. Much of the furniture and china are original. The tour continues through the bedrooms, out on to the rear veranda, and ends at the kitchens. As is typical, there are no photographs allowed inside.
The formal English gardens were a favorite of Rachel Jackson. She loved to garden and sit and enjoy her flowers and shrubs. Today the focal point of the garden is the cupola under which Andrew and Rachel are buried.
Alongside is a small graveyard containing the remains of their children and other family members, most notably their servant, Alfred, who was born into slavery on the plantation and lived his entire life there.
After Andrew Jackson’s death, Alfred, by now a free man, remained at The Hermitage and became its first tour guide. His furnished cabin is open to visitors.
The grounds are gently rolling and easily walkable. But for a special treat, take the guided wagon ride around the property. Two Percheron draught horses will draw a wagon full of guests to the farthest reaches of the plantation while the driver gives an account of the buildings, fields, crops, and general life at The Hermitage in the early 1800s. It’s a memorable experience and definitely worth it.
Plan to spend at least 3-4 hours at The Hermitage. You can bookend your visit with the interactive exhibits and the excellent gift shop. There is also a nice cafe if you want to take a break.
Located 12 miles east of Nashville, The Hermitage is open daily with a wide variety of tours and prices. See the website for more information. https://thehermitage.com/