For several years, we have planned a long weekend trip to visit Stones River and the Hermitage, but something always came up... usually weather. We have actually been in Nashville and had other stuff come up too. Anyway, we were glad that we finally got to see the home and final resting site of Andrew Jackson!
We arrived right as the visitor center opened at 8:30 on a Sunday! We felt like we had the place to ourselves for the first hour or two! it was exciting walking around the grounds almost by ourselves!The house tour is packed with sites and information, but it is a relatively short tour. Photography is not allowed in the house, but you can find a ton of pictures online. I did pick up a lot of postcards in the gift shop, and a nice guidebook covering the home.
Beside the home is the garden that Rachel, Jackson's wife, started and loved so much. Only flowers from the Jackson's time period are planted here now. Andrew and Rachel are both buried there, along with several family members, and a slave named Alfred.Alfred lived on the property longer than anyone else. He actually became one of the first tour guides when the home was opened up for tours!
Though Jackson was all about the Union, he had descendants who fought for the South. In fact, continuing with a theme on this trip, we saw a sign about Bedford Forrest visiting the Hermitage during the Civil War.
After exploring the home and garden, we went on a great horse and buggy ride around the grounds. There was an additional charge for this, but we absolutely loved this, and it was the highlight of the visit. I did not catch the guide/driver's name, but he was really fun and informative. He talked a lot about slave life (including the "underground" life of the slaves on the property).before leaving, we went to the café on the property and had a very nice meal.
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