UPDATED VERSION I would like to note that this house is called "The Hermitage" and it is in Hermitage, TN. I think there may have been some confusion as that I was only writing on the town of Hermitage, TN which is not the case. If there is any other info that you think needs to be included feel free to email me or leave a comment. Thanks!

I have been to The Hermitage several times in my lifetime. I live about 5 minutes away so I have easy access. However, even if it is a bit of a drive for you it is worth it. It is a historical landmark that anyone would enjoy visiting. Every time I have visited I found it to be so interesting. I love visiting historical homes of people and other types of history, especially former homes.

History Behind the Home...
Andrew Jackson was our nation's 7th President. He moved to The Hermitage when Tennessee was less than 10 years old. He purchased the property in 1804. Over the next 40 years it was made into a successful plantation. He and his wife, Rachel, first moved into a log building where they lived for 17 years. In 1819, they began construction on a brick home that they moved into in 1821. Sadly, it would be the only home Rachel lived in on the property. Rachel died in 1828. Andrew then had the home enlarged in 1831. In 1834, it was destroyed by fire and then rebuilt again and enlarged. It was finished in 1836. It was now an elegant Greek Rival Mansion.

The Main Attraction...
It has 6 two-story columns, 14 rooms including 6 bedrooms and wide hallways with sitting areas. The house was restored to look just as it did during the last years of Andrew Jackson's life. It has the original colors and exactly reproduced textiles. In the house you will see many bold colors such as blue, crimson, salmon and yellow. Almost all of the furnishings were belonged to our former President. You will see his furniture (much of which was purchased in Philadelphia), silver, portraits, porcelain, his sword, eyeglasses and over 600 books including his Bible. This home is more like when he was there than any other former President's home. I especially like the canopy beds. Everything looks so elegant and beautiful in this house. You get to stand at the door of each room and look inside. I remember picturing him and his family being in the home, and how much they must have enjoyed it. There is a glass wall to prevent you from going further into the room.

On the tour you will also see...

~the original slave cabins...In the 1840's more than 140 African Americans were slaves there. Each slave family had a log home that was 20 x 20 feet. Each home had a fireplace and an attic for sleeping.

~the original 1804 cabins...where the Jacksons lived before the mansion was built.

~Old Hermitage Church...where the Jacksons attended church.

~Tulip Grove Mansion

~Jackson's tomb and his family cemetary...Andrew and Rachel are buried side by side...the rest of the family is close by

~Rachel's garden...which is absolutely beautiful with all sorts of flowers...The orginial garden was planted in the 1820's. Rachel loved flowers and after she died it became a memorial to her.

You go on a self-guided audio tour. You need at least 2 hours of time to fully see everything there is there. More than 250,000 visit the property annually.

Many of the beautiful, huge oak trees were destroyed during a tornado that we had in 1998. There was original trees that had been there for well over 100 years that were just torn from the ground. It was a devastating loss.

Directions:
Take I-40 heading East and get off at Exit 221. It is 12 minutes East of Downtown Nashville. There will be signs directing you once you get off the exit. It is only a few miles from the interstate.

Fees
Adults $10
Seniors $9
Students (13-18) $9
Children (6-12) $5
Under 6 Free

Other Information:
The Hermitage is open 9-5 daily. It is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day and the 3rd week in January.

Contact Information:

The Hermitage
4580 Rachel's Lane
Hermitage, TN 37076

phone (615) 889-2941
fax (615) 889-9909

Email: hermitage@mindspring.com

Website: http://www.thehermitage.com/





Recommended: Yes

Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime