Andrew Jackson’s Gold Box

Andrew Jackson’s Gold Box Returns to The Hermitage.

Andrew Jackson’s gold box was one of the President’s most prized possessions. In February 1819, the mayor and councilmen of New York City presented Andrew Jackson with the freedom of the city for his heroism at the Battle of New Orleans. The freedom papers were presented in a gold box inscribed: “Presented by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonality of the City of New-York, to Major General Andrew Jackson, with the freedom of the city, as Testimony of respect for his high military service.”

Jackson counted the box as one of his treasures and in his will he instructed that “should our happy country not be blessed with peace” Andrew Jackson Jr. should present the box to the patriot from New York judged “to have been the most valiant in defense of his country and our country’s rights.”

After the Mexican War, the box was presented to Brevet Brigadier General Ward B. Burnett (1810-1884). The box remained in Burnett’s possession and descended in his family until it was acquired for the Hermitage collection in 2013.

This priceless artifact will be on display on January 8th as part of Andrew Jackson: Born for a Storm!