Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

Andrew Jackson named his home The Hermitage because it was his "place of rest".

When Andrew Jackson married Rachel, they lived in Nashville. They bought a farm and lived there from 1792 - 1796 in an area called Poplar Grove. Later, they moved to a 640-acre plantation called Hunter's Hill and lived there until 1804. All the while, Jackson practiced law, owned a general store, and worked on land speculation. Unfortunately, he had to sell Hunter's Hill to avoid bankruptcy because of one of his partnerships. However, they did purchase a smaller property from a neighbor named Nathaniel Hays. That land became The Hermitage and was a 425-acre farm in its heyday.

Jackson operated the general store, a tavern, and tracks for racing thoroughbred horses. He also established a new riverfront enterprise at Clover Bottom on the Stones River. He was the Grand Master of Tennessee from 1822 - 1823, and he served two terms as the 7th President of the United States from 1829 to 1837. Andrew Jackson, his wife Rachel, and other family members are laid to rest at the Hermitage, including his favorite slave named Alfred. The last of the family members to live here was Andrew Jackson's grandson, Andrew Jackson lll when they moved out in 1893.

The mansion had a chimney fire in 1834 and survived a tornado in 1998. Extensive fire damage occurred, but the home was rebuilt on the same foundation. The tornado did spare the home, but 1,000 of the 200-year-old trees probably planted by Jackson had fallen. The wood was used to make 200 limited edition Old Hickory Guitars. Tennessee purchased the Hermitage in 1856, intending to preserve the property as a shrine to Andrew Jackson. It is a National Historic Landmark and has a visitor's center, restaurant, and museum. Take a tour of the grounds, garden, graveyard, and mansion.