NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Andrew Jackson Foundation, which owns and operates The Hermitage, Andrew Jackson’s historic home and presidential site, announced today its upcoming schedule of holiday events.
From ongoing lamplight tours that occur throughout November and December to the one-day Christmas festival, educational opportunities for young learners and performances of A Christmas Carol, there’s something for everyone and every interest. Check the website for individual event ticket options.
“The holiday season is one of the most magical times of the year at The Hermitage,” said Tiffany Demmon, Public Programs and Membership Manager. “Our robust lineup of programming offers something for the whole family that’s both fun and educational. It's a wonderful opportunity for families to make new holiday memories and traditions while learning about the traditions, decor, and celebrations of a 19th-century Christmas at this historic home.”
November 13 - December 26 — Christmas By Lamplight Tours: Experience the holiday at The Hermitage by exploring the mansion and surrounding grounds by lamplight with this special Christmas Tour. Discover early 19th-century holiday décor, hear stories from the Jackson family, including the loss of Rachel Jackson just days before Christmas, and learn the origins of longstanding American Christmas traditions. This tour takes place at 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from November 13 through December 19, and again on December 26.
December 5 — Jacksonian Christmas Festival at Tulip Grove: Celebrate the season at the Jacksonian Christmas Festival at Tulip Grove. Located just across Lebanon Pike from The Hermitage, Tulip Grove is not generally open to the public and is considered one of the best surviving examples of Greek Revival antebellum architecture in Tennessee. The Christmas Festival will include a visit from Santa Claus with photo opportunities, holiday crafts, live musical and dance performances, Christmas carolers, food trucks, vendor booths, and an 1800s-style hot chocolate tasting. Guests will also learn how both the Jackson family and the enslaved community observed the holidays through engaging historical interpretation. Blending history and holiday traditions, this event offers a truly unique opportunity to celebrate Christmas.
December 17 — Homeschool Day: Christmas at The White House: Students of all ages are invited to learn about American history through the lens of the holiday season. Join The Hermitage’s staff as they recreate Christmas at the White House in 1836, where people served their communities, enjoyed grand banquets and engaged in a one-of-a-kind snowball fight. Students will recreate the event by playing games, making ornaments, enjoying hot chocolate, and working on a community service project to benefit local family services organizations. Activities are designed for students ages 5-11 but are open to all.
December 18-19 — A Christmas Carol: A One-Man Performance with Dick Terhune: Experience Charles Dickens' timeless classic, A Christmas Carol, in an extraordinary one-man performance by acclaimed actor Dick Terhune. Through this performance, Terhune will bring more than 30 characters to life in an unforgettable theater production. Along with the performance, attendees can see the holiday decorations, enjoy hot chocolate and Christmas treats, and experience the sights and sounds of the season before the show begins.
About Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage: Home of the Seventh President is one of the largest, most well preserved and most visited presidential homes in the United States. Opened to the public in 1889, The Hermitage is one of America’s first presidential museums. Today, The Hermitage is a 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark with 8 historic buildings, including Jackson’s mansion and tomb, restored slave cabins, enslaved cemetery, a church and gardens. The site continues expanding its interpretive initiatives and educational programs with ongoing research, enhancing the experiences of more than 170,000 annual visitors. For more information, visit www.thehermitage.com.
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