What is It - The election of renowned General and Tennessee plantation owner Andrew Jackson as President of the United States for two terms is generally regarded as an important development in American history. A self-made man, President Jackson was respected for his direct manner, efforts to expand voting rights, willingness to confront the economic power of the wealthy, and support for the expansion of the American frontier to the Pacific Ocean. However, Andrew Jackson was also an owner of slaves many of whom worked on the 1100-acre cotton plantation he owned known as The Hermitage, and he took several actions as President to relocate native American peoples forcibly from their lands. 

All of the greatness and complexities of the man are on display at the Hermitage National Historic Landmark located about 10 miles north of Nashville. Preserved and run by a non-profit, Jackson's homestead has been visited by more than 16 million people over the years.

The museum site has several buildings worth exploring on a visit. The modern Visitors Center contains a bookstore, gift shop, a small café, and a comfortable theater where an objective 17-minute movie entitled “Andrew Jackson: Born for Storm" can be viewed throughout the day. 

The Visitors Center has several long corridors and exhibition halls filled with detailed displays about Jackson's life and presidency. The explanations provided about the deep regional divisions in the nation during the War of 1812 are enlightening. It is difficult to appreciate the credibility and respect which Jackson and the nation received worldwide after vanguishing the  British at the Battle of New Orleans. Other displays show how Jackson's willingness as President to challenge the status quo helped him overcome threats to the new nation posed by the power of the national Bank of America and the 1832 South Carolina Nullification movement. The parallel actions which Jackson was taking at the time to oversee the production of cotton and other farm activities by slaves at the Hermitage and to open up the southeastern United States and the west for settlement are presented objectively in displays along the same corridors.

There are beautiful grounds with grassy fields, a walking trail, wooded avenues, and white picket fences all around the 30 buildings on the museum site. Some people consider the mansion house as the most fascinating part of the museum. It has a classical style with large Greek columns on both sides of the building. For an additional fee, visitors and groups can take a guided tour of the Mansion while many personal items from the President's life and times are on display. Jackson's devotion to his wife Rachel is evident throughout the premises. His marriage to Rachel before her divorce was legally completed was the subject of many political attacks by opponents but he never wavered from supporting her and their marriage. Some other interesting places to view and ponder on the grounds include Jackson's family tomb located in the formal garden next to the house and the replica slave quarters on site.

Interesting Facts - Andrew Jackson won a plurality of the popular vote and the electoral votes in three successive presidential elections. However, in 1824 there were four candidates for president and the United States House of Representatives voting as individual State delegations chose John Quincy Adams instead of the leading vote getter Jackson to serve as president as allowed by the U.S. Constitution. Jackson won election outright four years later in 1828 and was re-elected in 1832 during the formative era of the Democrat party.

When to Go - The landmark and museum can be enjoyed and visited all year long even in the winter but is usually closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

How to Get Here - The Hermitage is located about 20 minutes from downtown Nashville, and is close to the Nashville International airport. The best route is to take Interstate 40 to exit 221A and then proceed north on Old Hickory Boulevard and follow the signs to the Hermitage entrance on Rachel’s Lane.

Cost - The basic entry fee for the museum is $22 for adults and $12 to $17 for children which entitles you to see the movie and all the displays in the visitors’ center, plus receive a guided tour of the mansion and a self-guided audio tour of the plantation grounds. Tickets are issued with a specific time for entrance to the mansion. There are a variety of other ticket packages available with various upgrades or more limited features.