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

The Architectural Evolution Of The Hermitage

A Matter of Style and Substance

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 25, 2010

1. The Architectural Evolution of the Hermitage Marker

Inscription. Like its landscape, so too have the homes of the Hermitage been touched by time and circumstance. Andrew and Rachel Jackson's first Hermitage home was a substantial and well-furnished two-story log farmhouse, where they lived from 1804 until well after Jackson's rise to national fame at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. After his victory, the First Hermitage reflected neither Jackson's status as a national hero, nor the fashions of the time. In 1819, he began construction of a Federal-style brick home, a style nearing the end of its popularity, but a great step up from the log farmhouse. In 1831, during Jackson's first term as President, he enlarged the mansion by adding library and dining room wings. The home you visit today is the third version of Jackson's brick mansion. When fire significantly damaged the Hermitage mansion in 1834, Jackson remodeled the house for the third and final time. Remodeling was finally finished in 1837, just as Jackson completed his second term as President and retired to The Hermitage. Home to stay.

For all the changes to The Hermitage over the years, two constants remain. History lived here. So did families. Welcome.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1804.

Location. 36° 12.878′ N, 86°

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36.761′ W. Marker is in Hermitage, Tennessee, in Davidson County. Marker can be reached from Rachels Lane, 0.3 miles east of Hermitage Road. Marker is located outside of The Hermitage gated Flower Garden along the walking path toward the mansion. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4580 Rachels Lane, Hermitage TN 37076, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Hermitage Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); The Jackson Family Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Explore The Hermitage Grounds (within shouting distance of this marker); Andrew Jackson (within shouting distance of this marker); “A Being so Gentle And Yet So Virtuous” (within shouting distance of this marker); A Landscape Of Inequality (within shouting distance of this marker); The Garden Privy (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Hermitage Mansion (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hermitage.

Also see . . . The Hermitage, The Home of President Andrew Jackson. (Submitted on February 9, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

The Architectural Evolution of the Hermitage image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 25, 2010

2. The Architectural Evolution of the Hermitage

The brick residence, completed in 1821, was the only version of the mansion ever occupied by Andrew Jackson's beloved Rachel. Although not part of the original version, Jackson also added a small entry portico in the late 1820's.

The Architectural Evolution of the Hermitage/Greek revival style image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 25, 2010

3. The Architectural Evolution of the Hermitage/Greek revival style

This image comes from a Nashville map that featured illustrations of some of the city's prominent buildings and is the only known contemporary image of the second version of the Hermitage mansion. Nashville architect David Morrison added a front porch in the "Palladian" style that strictly followed details and proportions of classical building, particularly Roman architecture. At the same time, Morrison also designed Rachel Jackson's tomb.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 25, 2010

4. The Architectural Evolution of the Hermitage/Greek revival style

Rather than re-creating Morrison's design, builders Joseph Reiff and William Hume followed the newly fashionable Greek revival style that used details and designs from classical architecture. Although called "Greek Revival" the basic architecture was American and adapted to each region of the country.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 25, 2010

5. The Architectural Evolution of the Hermitage/Greek revival style

Jackson's builders relied heavily on the pattern books of New England architect Asher Benjamin, who was largely responsible for much of the popularity of the Greek Revival style. The builders took the mansion's front door design directly from Benjamin's The Architect or Practical House Carpenter published in 1830. Andrew Jackson owned a copy of this book.

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, November 12, 2022

6. The Architectural Evolution Of The Hermitage Marker

Wide view of The Architectural Evolution Of The Hermitage Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 14, 2015

7. Wide view of The Architectural Evolution Of The Hermitage Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 695 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on July 12, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 8, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 6. submitted on January 23, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 7. submitted on July 12, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.