The Hermitage/Fathers' Day

Nothing says fun like tromping across the rolling lands outside of Nashville in 90 degree heat and 75% humidity, so that's how we spent Father's Day. We arrived at The Hermitage, Andrew Jackon's 1000 acre plantation outside of Nashville to see an impressive visitor center masking the rest of the grounds just over the hill. Enjoying the brief respite of the air-conditioned visitor center and a small selection of Jackson artifacts, including several of his swords, we exited the building and across the beautiful green hillsides leading to the main house. Costumed interpreters were present in each room of the house to explain the significance of each room, its almost all original wallpapers and furnishings, and life at the plantation. For instance, even up until the point of his death, Jackson would read several newspapers at a time, highlighting commentary in the margins he disagreed with for eventual rebuttal.

Leaving the mansion, visitors are invited to stroll the grounds, including the family cemetery where Jackson is buried, his wife''s gardens, the springhouse that covered the freshwater supply for the residents, and the partially reconstructed original log home Jackson first lived in on the property that gave rise to the myth that Jackson STILL lived in a frontier cabin, even well after he became one of the wealthiest politicians in the state. Original slave quarters were also on the tour, as were sample plots of cotton and corn.

Returning to the cool of the museum, we saw more artifacts, including Jackon's ring, watch fob, and cane seen depicted in one of the more famous paintings of him.

Overall, this was much more impressive than our first presidential experience on the trip - the Clinton Library. And as a bonus, not a dinosaur in sight!