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 summer events.
The historic site’s robust programming offers a range of family-friendly, educational, and recreational opportunities that allow people of all ages to engage with the history of the property, along with other relevant historical and cultural events.
“We wanted to create a summer lineup with something for everyone, from families and history enthusiasts to first-time visitors,” said Tiffany Demmon, Public Programs and Membership Manager. “Whether you're learning about Sojourner Truth or P.T. Barnum, celebrating baseball, exploring presidential campaign strategy, or experiencing our In Their Footsteps Tour, we hope these programs offer compelling new ways to connect with the land and its history.”
Highlights of The Hermitage’s summer activities are below, many of which include free admission for children age 13 and younger.
- Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m. — Stars, Stripes, and Strikes will be a full day of celebrating American cultures and traditions across the grounds. Guests can enjoy watching a vintage baseball tournament from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and a live concert that starts at noon. There will be other forms of entertainment, including crafts, games, face painting, an American history trivia booth, a pie-eating contest, and more. This event is also one of the last days to see the Path of Glory display of 1,776 flags installed on the front lawn of The Hermitage. The event is included with the cost of general admission. For $10, tickets can be upgraded to include the cost of the Betsy Ross Living History Program.
- Saturday, July 11, 5 p.m. — Sewing a New Nation: Betsy Ross and the Birth of the American Flag: Historical interpreter Kim Hanley will bring to life the woman often credited with sewing the first American “stars and stripes” flags. Beyond this fame, Betsy was an upholsterer, businesswoman, Quaker, and mother. Hanley’s performance will explore the challenges that Ross faced, along with how she and other women played a crucial but underrecognized role in supporting the Revolutionary cause. Purchase tickets and find more information here.
- Saturday, July 25, 6 p.m. — From Screen to Stage: An Evening with P.T. Barnum: This special Living History event blends modern film and historical context for an unforgettable evening of learning. This two-part event will kick off with a screening of director Michael Gracey’s 2017 film The Greatest Showman, which stars Hugh Jackman as famous entertainer and businessman P.T. Barnum. The movie will be introduced with a brief explanation of the historical context, and popcorn will be served during the film. Afterward, actor Niell Hartley will provide an in-person portrayal of P.T. Barnum, engaging the audience with further information about his life, career, controversies, and cultural impact, and creating a more interactive experience with the topic. Purchase tickets and find more information here.
- Tuesday, August 4, 7 p.m. — Contested Votes: Andrew Jackson and the Birth of Modern Campaigns with Historian Dan Feller: Ahead of the upcoming elections, join Dan Feller, a leading authority on Jackson and 19th‑century American elections, for a timely lecture on the enduring importance of elections, political participation, and the ways campaigns can shape a democracy. A historian and former editor of The Papers of Andrew Jackson at the University of Tennessee, Feller will explore the fiery presidential campaigns of 1824, 1828, and 1832, including the controversial “corrupt bargain” and the rise of popular campaigning that reshaped American political life. The event will also feature historical trivia, a mock election, and era-inspired treats. Purchase tickets and find more information here.
- Tuesday, August 18, 7 p.m. — Speaking Truth to Power: A Sojourner Truth Living History Experience: Daisy Century will lead this Living History Performance with a portrayal that brings Sojourner Truth to life. Truth was born into slavery before becoming a courageous advocate for abolition and women’s rights. On the anniversary that the 19th Amendment was ratified in Tennessee and American women gained the right to vote, participants at this event will learn about Truth’s activism for equality, including her famous question, “Ain’t I A Woman?” Visitors will also be able to access the Saving Old Hickory’s Hermitage exhibition, highlighting the women of the Ladies’ Hermitage Association who preserved the historic site. Purchase tickets and find more information here.
This summer also marks the relaunch of the In Their Footsteps: Slavery at The Hermitage Tour. The 60-minute guided walking tour, which is roughly one mile long, explores the personal lives, labor, resistance, and triumphs of the enslaved community whose work shaped every aspect of The Hermitage. The tour concludes with a visit to the enslaved cemetery, where there will be a wreath-laying ceremony that includes a brief tribute, a moment of silence, and the sharing of stories of enslaved people believed to be buried in the cemetery. Tickets for the In Their Footsteps: Slavery at The Hermitage tour are $49.95 per person, which also includes access to the mansion and the grounds. It will be available on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on The Hermitage’s website.
About Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage: Home of the People’s 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 thehermitage.com.
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