The Hermitage

Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Mansion was first constructed in 1821. It was a simple eight room Federal style home when completed. While waiting on the completion of their new home Jackson and his wife Rachel resided in a small log cabin that is still extant on the property today. While Jackson was away at the White House, a chimney fire destroyed the structure. In 1835 Jackson commissioned Joseph Reiff and William C. Hume to construct a new Greek Revival style home on the original foundation. The facade of the home would be constructed using native limestone, while the rear elevation would primarily feature Federal style brick architecture. Both the facade and the rear elevation feature full height entry porches supported by Greek Revival style limestone columns. Agriculturally, The Hermitage was one of the largest producers of Cotton in the area. The slave population ranged from 9 in 1804, to 137 in 1850. Notable figures in United States history to spend the night at The Hermitage included Sam Houston, the Marquis de Lafayette, James K. Polk, and Martin Van Buren. When Andrew and Rachel Jackson died they were buried in a tomb to the east of their mansion. During the Civil War soldiers from both sides were fascinated by the elaborate architecture and gardens of The Hermitage and many of them took the time to visit the home. The Hermitage remained as a family residence until 1893. Up until that time, the home had always been inhabited by descendants of Andrew Jackson. A group of ladies known as the Ladies' Hermitage Association purchased the home and what was left of the original plantation. They restored the mansion to its original appearance and opened it to the public. Visitation grew significantly every year, and today The Hermitage is the fourth most visited presidential residence. On April 16, 1998 disaster struck The Hermitage. An F-3 tornado touched down in Nashville, crossing The Hermitage property around 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Luckily the mansion, its original buildings, and the tombs of the Jacksons were spared. The same could not be said for many of the trees. Some of the trees that were destroyed had been planted by Andrew Jackson. These trees were preserved by the Gibson Guitar Cooperation who manufactured two hundred guitars as part of their new "Old Hickory" line. In 2003 the Ladies' Hermitage Association was able to purchase the final parcel of land to restore the plantation back to its original boundaries. The Hermitage was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966 and was also designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960. The Hermitage is another great example of successful historic preservation. At Moore Historical Consulting my #1 priority is historic preservation. Do you own a historic home, commercial building, or farm? If so contact me today to learn more about the historic preservation strategies I offer. These include nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, nominations for a Permanent Conservation Easement, nominations to the Century Farms program, and writing text for historic makers. At Moore Historical Consulting I make exploring and preserving your past fun and easy.

 Life at The Hermitage in the early 19th century. 

Original slave cabins. These two structures were constructed from the original log cabin that Andrew and Rachel Jackson lived in while their mansion was being constructed.

The tombs of Andrew and Rachel Jackson.

The rear elevation of The Hermitage mixes Federal and Greek Revival architectural styles. The Hermitage served as a catalyst to the rise in popularity of the Greek Revival style in Tennessee.

Aerial view of the aftermath of April 16, 1998.

Be sure and come back next week for another Throwback Thursday presented by Moore Historical Consulting.