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The Hermitage, a short drive east of Nashville, Tennessee, was the home of Andrew Jackson, who served as the 7th president of the United States. Jackson lived on the site from 1804 until his death in 1845.

 

History

The original property was selected by Jackson’s wife, Rachel, and until 1821 only consisted of a log cabin and two slave cabins. In 1821, a mansion was constructed and later renovated two times. Andrew Jackson III, Jackson’s grandson, was the last member of the family to live there, moving out in 1893. The plantation later opened to the public as a museum of Jackson’s life and the antebellum South.

Drawings of the mansion renovations at The Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee
Drawings of the mansion renovations

 

Visiting

The Hermitage is open daily from 9am to 5pm. The Mansion Tour includes admission to the mansion and grounds, a guided tour of the mansion, and a self-guided audio tour of the grounds for US$27. Access to the grounds only is US$20. Prices are current as of February 2024. The Natchez Hills Winery tasting room is also on-site.

 

Mansion

The guided tour of the mansion is interesting. Visitors can see parlors, bedrooms, the library, Jackson’s office, the dining room, kitchen, and more. You learn about the house itself and a lot about Jackson’s life there. He only lived on the plantation sparingly until 1837, when he retired from public life.

The Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee
The Hermitage
The Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee
The Hermitage

 

Outbuildings

After the guided tour of the mansion, you can wander the grounds freely. There are several outbuildings to visit, including a smokehouse, springhouse, carriage house, and more. Interpretive panels explain the use and importance of each building.

Smokehouse at The Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee
Smokehouse
Springhouse at The Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee
Springhouse
Early home at The Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee
Early home
Hunter's Hill farm building at The Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee
Hunter’s Hill farm building

 

Slave Buildings

Over 190 slaves lived on the property during Jackson’s lifetime, and some slave sites are still standing. A slave home was constructed with logs from the original Jackson family cabin, and a half mile trail takes you through the Field Quarter where slaves lived. Footprints of some of the buildings still remain.

Slave cabin at The Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee
Slave cabin
Slave cabin at The Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee
Slave cabin

Alfred’s Cabin is another slave home, probably built around 1841. It belonged to Alfred Jackson, who was born into slavery on the plantation in 1812. He continued to work there as a free man after Emancipation and died there in 1901.

Alfred's Cabin at The Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee
Alfred’s Cabin

 

Garden

A one acre garden near the home was a favorite of Rachel Jackson. There are several different types of flowers planted there, and it’s a nice place to walk.

Garden at The Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee
Garden

 

Tomb

When Rachel died unexpectedly in 1828, Andrew had her buried in the garden and made preparations for a suitable tomb. The tomb, where both the Jacksons are buried, was completed in 1832 in the style of a Greek temple. A small family cemetery sits nearby.

Tomb of Andrew and Rachel Jackson at The Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee
Tomb of Andrew and Rachel Jackson
Tomb of Andrew Jackson at The Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee
Tomb of Andrew Jackson
Cemetery at The Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee
Cemetery

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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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