Hermitage in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

The Garden Privy

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 14, 2015

1. The Garden Privy Marker

Inscription. This small brick privy or necessary is something of a mystery. No documents or illustrations record the presence of such a building when the Jackson family lived on the property. Archaelogical evidence suggests that an older building may have stood here during Andrew Jackson's lifetime. Mansion residents would have made use of chamber pots kept in the bedrooms, making this structure more of a status symbol or garden embellishment than something necessary to everyday life. The structure you see now was probably built or renovated in the 1890's as a restroom for Hermitage visitors.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #07 Andrew Jackson series list.

Location. 36° 12.917′ N, 86° 36.733′ W. Marker is in Hermitage, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It can be reached from Rachels Lane. Marker is at the northeast corner of the Hermitage Garden, just north of Jackson's gravesite. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hermitage TN 37076, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in Greater Nashville.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Hermitage Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Alfred’s Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Andrew Jackson

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(within shouting distance of this marker); “A Being so Gentle And Yet So Virtuous” (within shouting distance of this marker); The Work Yard (within shouting distance of this marker); Explore The Hermitage Grounds (within shouting distance of this marker); The Jackson Family Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); A Landscape Of Inequality (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hermitage.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 14, 2015

2. The Garden Privy Marker

Marker is at the right base of the building.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 494 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.