General

A Decade at a Glance: Preserving Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage first opened to the public in 1889 and now features more than 20 historic buildings, including Jackson’s mansion and tomb, restored slave cabins, a church, gardens and much more. Our team works endlessly to ensure the site’s 237,000 annual visitors see the mansion and grounds as President Andrew Jackson did when he called it home. Take a look at some of the preservation projects we have completed over the last decade and those we have slated for 2020.

2019

Painted the mansion roof, changing color from red to grey to better represent the zinc shingles that Jackson installed on the roof during remodeling after the 1834 fire.

  • Completed the fabrication and installation of new doors at the Hermitage Church, returning to a one-panel door configuration as opposed to two panels, making it more historically accurate.

  • Installed period-appropriate box locks on doors at the Hermitage Church.
  • Replaced deteriorated wood trim on the mansion’s east wing cornice and on east end of rear portico.
  • Prepped and repainted the mansion’s rear portico, including the gable, entablature, columns, east and west cornices, gutters on the main building, wings, kitchen, trim and roof.

  • Cleaned the sand painted portions of the front portico. (Cleaning made a significant improvement in the appearance of the sand paint and removed ten years’ worth of dirt, pollution and tree sap.)
  • Repaired and updated the mansion’s lightning protection system and installed surge arrestors on electrical service.

2018

  • Replaced the Hermitage Church’s roof; repointed the mortar joints; and repainted the interior and exterior of the building.

  • Cleaned vandal’s spray paint from Andrew and Rachel Jackson’s tomb.
  • Repaired and replaced two memorials at the Jackson family cemetery.

2017

  • Repointed the smokehouse mortar joints.

  • Installed a state-of-the-art automatic high-pressure water mist fire suppression system, which quickly extinguishes fires while sparing building from unnecessary water damage.

2015-2016

  • Installed new fire and burglar detection systems. Installed the mansion’s first camera system.
  • Repaired, reglazed and painted all the mansion’s wooden window sashes and painted the window jambs and casings.

  • Installed glass storm windows to insulate the house, eliminate harmful UV light and reduce overall natural light.

2014

  • Repaired and re-grained the mansion’s exterior doors.

2013-2014

  • Repaired the mansion’s foundation; upgraded site drainage; and replaced all of the brick pathways.

2012

  • Replaced the Hermitage Church windows.
  • Repaired Tulip Grove’s columns and porch.

  • Repaired the tomb.

2011-2012

  • Upgraded the mansion’s attic heating and exhaust system to control humidity and prevent condensation.
  • Repaired and painted the mansion’s interior plaster.

  • Repaired the Cabin-by-the-Spring and added a restroom and kitchen.

2010

  • Repaired the mechanical rooms serving the mansion and Andrew Jackson Center after the 2010 Nashville flood.

2009-2010

    • Repointed the smokehouse mortar joints and painted the smokehouse trim.
    • Underwent $350,000 restoration of Alfred’s Cabin, the First Hermitage farmhouse and kitchen, including log repair, new roof and all new daubing and chinking.

    • Completed $1.1 million restoration of the Hermitage mansion’s exterior.

As the years go by and a new decade begins, our mission to preserve Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage will remain a top priority. We have several preservation projects underway in 2020, including:

  • Prepping and repainting the mansion’s front façade brick wall.
  • Painting the smokehouse roof and trim.
  • Re-penciling the brick joints of the mansion’s east wing north wall.
  • Repointing severely deteriorated brick joints at Tulip Grove Mansion.

To preserve this 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark and protect its precious contents, we rely on the generosity of visitors, donors and grants.

Please continue to participate in this success and visit often. For more information about how you can support Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, click here.