Evening star., 1903-11-28
OF THE HERMITAGE
The House in Which Andrew Jackson
Made His Homo.

From the New Orleans Times Democrat
The Hermitage the old home Of Gen. An
drew Jackson has. through the efforts of
the Ladies' Hermitage Association, been
almost restored to the condition 1t was in at
the time of the death Of General jackson.
In 1856 the state of Tennessee purchased
from Andrew Jackson jr., for $4s 900 the
Hermitage farm, which then consisted of
800 acres Of land; and 1t was intended to
offer 1t to the United States government for
a branch Of West Point Academy. but the
civil war prevented the consummation Of
these plans. In 1889 the state legislature Of
Tennessee conveyed t. the Ladies' Hermi-
tage Association. through board of trus-
tees, the house, tomb. all outhouses and
twenty-five acres of land to preserve
beautify and adorn, throughout all coming
years. in a manner most BETTING the memo
ry of the great man and commensurate with
the gratitude of his countrymen.'
The association has put forth untiring
efforts to raise the funds necessary to pur-
chase the furniture and relics that were In
the house at the time Of General Jackson s
death. 1t has inaugurated all kinds Of en-
terprises. lectures, balls, concerts. theatri-
calls, etc, anything that would net money
to its treasury. The work OF sustentation
is aided by the states appropriation Of $50
a month, which pays the curator and does
some little repair work. The association has
succeeded in putting the place In it's pres
ent good condition and in replacing those
pieces of relic furniture now to be seen In
the house. and 1t is it's cherished plan to
purchase all the relics and furniture and
rehabilitate the house as it was in Jack
sons life.
The original Hermitage was built in 1904
It was made of logs. and part of 1t is still
standing. Aaron Burr made his famous
visit to the Hermitage in 1905, and was
entertained In this log house. General Jack
living W bon bo
battle of New Orleans was fought, in 1916,
and returned to this humble home the CON
Quering hero and IDOL of the nation. The
present site was selected and built upon in
Lafayette was entertained there in 1925.
This house was burned in 1885 and rebuilt
in 1886 upon the same foundation as 1t
now stands Gen. Jackson died In 1S45.
at the age of seventy-eight years and was
buried by the side of his wife in the tomb
in the garden.
In 1909 Andrew Jackson and his wife
adopted the infant son Of Severn Donel.on,
brother of Mrs. Jackson. and named him
Andrew Jackson, 5r.. and he bore the name
and became the heir to all the estates. His
son. Col. Andrew Jackson, after serving
calamity as colonel Of artillery in the con-
federate army. returned to the Hermitage
and lived with his mother until the time
Of her death, and by her will inherited the
household furniture. mementos and relics
OF the old hero 1t was from Col Jackson
chased most of the relics.
=, The Hermitage is built in the old colonial
] style OF architecture. with large verandas
| IN front and rear. a wide hallway with
| double rooms on either side. and wings
| supplementing these. The rooms are large
and spacious. and are eleven in number
besides pantry, store room, kitchen. cellar
| etc. On entering the hall which Is large
and commodious. one notes at first glance
| the pictorial wall paper. which was order
ed by Gen. Jackson from Paris. France
when the house was rebuilt in 1886. II
came by way OF New Orleans up the Mis-
| sissippi and Cumberland rivers 1t rep
resents the legend of Telemachus, and is
that part of the story of the landing OF
| Ulysses on the Island of Calypso
| Although Col Jackson still has many
| valuable curios that belonged to the ''old
hero" the Ladies' Hermitage Association
has succeeded in acquiring either by pur-
chase or presentation, no less that 172 sep
| arate and distinct relics varying in size
and value from the celebrated Decatur sill
yer service that Gen. Jackson purchased
| from the widow of Commodore Decatur
down to the brass fender that has nc
value whatever, except that it was once
| the property Of the general.