NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 8, 2021) – Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage will celebrate Jackson's 254th birthday Monday, March 15 with a slate of special speakers, a presidential wreath-laying ceremony, the return of The Duel, an address from the Hermitage mansion balcony and a ceremony dedicating a marker in partnership with the Lafayette Trails. Participating in the events will be Tennessee’s Gov., The Honorable Bill Lee; Major General Jeffrey H. Holmes, the Adjutant General of Tennessee; and Andrew Jackson VI, the great-great-great grandson of Jackson and his wife Rachel. Half-price admission will be available that day for grounds passes and General's Tour tickets.
“Andrew Jackson’s birthday is one of the most popular events for visitors of The Hermitage. This year, we are honored to have the governor in attendance, as well as Andrew Jackson VI. It will be a special day to visit the site and join in the activities taking place,” said Howard J. Kittell, President and CEO of the Andrew Jackson Foundation. “We are also excited to partner with the Lafayette Trails on the dedication of a trail marker at our site. This marker will commemorate the visit Marquis de Lafayette made to The Hermitage in May 1825, when he met the rising political star Andrew Jackson at his home.”
Lafayette, the French general who played a significant role in the American Revolution, made a return trip to the United States for a farewell tour in 1824 and 1825. He traveled from New England to New Orleans, making more than 370 stops. Part of the Lafayette Trail’s mission is to document, map and mark Lafayette’s footsteps during his U.S. tour. Markers and events are planned throughout the original 24 states. The marker at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage will be the only marker in the state of Tennessee.
The schedule of events includes:
- Children’s activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. adjacent to the Education Building.
- An address from the balcony of the Hermitage mansion at 10:30 a.m. and at 12:30 p.m.
- The presidential wreath-laying ceremony with Gov. Lee, Andrew Jackson VI and the Tennessee National Guard at 11 a.m. at Jackson’s Tomb in the garden.
- The Lafayette Trail marker dedication at 1:30 p.m. outside the Andrew Jackson Center.
- The Duel, the award-winning interactive presentation that answers questions about historic duels and includes a dueling presentation by historic interpreters, will take place throughout the day on the grounds of The Hermitage.
The grounds pass allows visitors access to 1,120 acres of history and tranquility--perfect for learning more about Jackson and the site while remaining safely distanced. Included is the audio tour, historic garden, field quarters, historical markers, wildlife, hiking trail, historic buildings (not including the Hermitage mansion) and more. The General's Tour includes a tour of the Hermitage mansion, as well as everything else as the grounds pass.
Both specialty tours, In Their Footsteps: Lives of the Hermitage Enslaved Tour and the VIP Tour, are also available for purchase that day.
Visitors are encouraged to purchase their tickets for the birthday celebration in advance.
For more information, visit thehermitage.com or follow Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage on Facebook, Instagram (@7thpresident) and Twitter (@7thpresident).
ABOUT ANDREW JACKSON’S HERMITAGE
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage: Home of the People’s President is one of the largest, most well-preserved and most visited presidential homes in the United States. Opened to the public in 1889, The Hermitage is one of America’s first presidential museums. Today, The Hermitage is a 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark with more than 20 historic buildings, including Jackson’s mansion and tomb, restored slave cabins, a church and gardens. In recent years, new interpretive initiatives and educational programs such as the history of slavery have enhanced the experience of more than 230,000 annual visitors. For more information, visit www.thehermitage.com.
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