The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1903-09-25
JacksOn's- Home at the Worlds Fair.

Since the people of Tennessee
have fully decided to reproduce the
Hermitage, the historic homestead
of Gen. Andrew Jackson, as the
states building and headquarters at
Universal Exposition at st Louis,
the interest which has always been
felt in the place has naturally
been greatly increased, and all
matter written about it read with
more or less interest. Even the
dimensions and capabilities of the
house itself are important. The
Hermitage building is admirably
suited for the purpose of a state
building, and if reproduced, as now
seems absolutely certain, will
furnish commodious, elegant and
interesting headquarters for all
visiting Tennesseans. 1t will at
tract attention even in the noble
company of state buildings, with
which it will be surrounded, and
will itself be a most admirable ex-
hibit from the old Volunteer state
The present building was erected
by Gen: Jackson in 1919, and for
that day was a grand and imposing
edifice, while even now it can COM
mand respect among modern
structures for its commodious
proportions, it's comfortable por-
ticoes, it's liberal space and for the
substantial material and construct
ion. 1t is brick building, every
brick having been nodded on the
place and used in the greatest
liberality in its thick walls. 1t has
always had a tin roof and every
window is hung with cords, which
is somewhat surprising when the
date of its construction is considered.
In 1885 the house was badly
damaged by fire, nearly destroyed,
in fact, but not absolutely. 1t was
rebuilt in 1886, and stands now
just as it did then, even the wall
paper being the same.
The Hermitage is located eleven
miles from this city and is nestled
down in a beautiful grove of state
| ly forest tress, that for forty-one
years OF his eventful life made
music that soothed the soul and
gladdened the heart of cold
Hickory" and for more than half a
century have chanted a requiem of
everlasting song over his last rest
ing place.
Every tree in the grove and every
flower in the garden is identified
with the old hero. The very
gravel on the walk and the stones
under foot are full of memories Of
him, and his long life in this, his
peaceful Hermitage.
The driveway of some 800 yards
from the iron gateway to the door
of the house is covered with an i'm
posing avenue of over arching
cedars, which have grown hoary
with age, and when viewed for the
first time inspires one with feeling
of respectful solemnity.
Gen. Jackson built this brick
house for his wife, ''for," said he,
81 do not expect to live long in it
myself" His health was broken
from his long and arduous cam
paigns, and he thought he saw
death but little way off. But it
was the wife who died, and Gen.
Jackson himself lived to pass twenty
six years beneath this new rooftree.
The old historic log house, built in
| = ho 1,IlIarnnCC in II ho
lived when the battle of New
Orleans was fought, still exists in
part at the Hermitage, located very
near the newer brick structure.
The style of architecture of the
building is the old, dignified colo
NAL, and of ample proportions, 1t
is pleasing style and one worthy
of imitation even in this day of
ornate architecture, and has much
to commend it, both for comfort
and convenience. The building is
fully 100 feet long on the frontage,
so of which form the main building,
which is two stories IN height, the
other forty comprising the single
story, but commodious wings. Six
large futed columns support a
double portico that extends the full
length of TIM main building. The
lower floor of this portico is of stone
tagging, the upper of cedar floor
ing.
On entering, one finds himself in
a large deliciously cool hallway, Is
feet wide and 40 long. At the rear
end of this hallway is winding
stairway, thoroughly colonial, and
at present carpeted with Gen. jack
sons own stair carpet and rods.
This hall is papered with a pic
torial representation, in four scenes,
from Fenelon's Telemaque, and
represents Ulysses landing on the
island of Calypso. This antique
wallpaper was ordered direct from
Paris for Gen. Jackson's house
when it was rebuilt in 1886. 1t
shows the marks of age and in
many places the depredations of
relic hunters, who have not refrain
ed, when unseen, from cutting from
the picture figures head, or tear,
ing off slip surreptitiously.
When the Hermitage was placed
in the possession of the Ladies' Her
mitage association by the state legis-
Io+uro =, 1000 +b;s ,-oll,o-o. nc,