Hello everyone, and welcome to the penultimate post of our 2021 Virginia Trip!
Here we’ll spend a bit of time getting reacquainted with Nashville, and that includes Andrew Jackson’s “Hermitage” plantation, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the grounds of the Tennessee State Capitol! As I have covered these things before in my blog, I’ll try not to delve too deeply into the nitty-gritty again, and instead provide links to my previous posts that covered them.
Andrew Jackson’s “The Hermitage”
Capitol, Ryman, and Hall of Fame
But let’s go ahead and see what we’re able to!
Andrew Jackson’s “The Hermitage”
Back at The Hermitage, we managed to catch an interesting event…
Since President Jackson (sorry, “General”, he preferred to be called that way) died on June 6th, 1845, the home was draped in black mourning cloth from the top balcony. As this was still the week of observance for that occasion, the tourguides had black armbands on their arms to signify that occasion. In addition, the curtains of his bedroom windows inside the mansion were closed, and a black cloth hung over the mirror (it was a bad omen if you were next to look into a mirror that has witnessed death, or as the Victorian Era held).
If you remember from my last time here, I mentioned that the pillars are actually made of wood, and painted to look like stone.
They give carriage rides now!? Since when!?
This field was near where I chased those turkeys from last time. That’s a lot of corn!
I think they did some restoration work on the tomb since we were here last! The top of the cupola is less rusted now, and the stone looks a lot cleaner!
Country Music Hall of Fame
Now that I notice it, those windows look like piano keys! I wonder why I didn’t notice it last time?
We were all very excited to view the exhibits again, especially since we were on a short time frame last time. It was a great place to bring back memories, and also learn about new ones! Mom loved touring the exhibits with us, especially as this was her first time.
It’s still surreal to remember that this car is plated in gold, covered in the sheen of crushed diamonds and seashells, and has a backseat TV, record-player, and refrigerator… Presley certainly had “opulent” tastes.
Being Texans, we’re proud George Strait fans!
Tennessee State Capitol
Before we walked around the Capitol, we visited a historical marker that happened to be right next to our hotel! And this is one we actually missed last time!
This marker was the site of the now-demolished “Polk Place”, the last home of President James K. Polk and his wife Sarah!
Though Polk died at the home only a month after moving in, Sarah lived here as a widow for 42 years, before passing away. Initially buried here, the two were relocated to the State Capitol Grounds a mere two blocks away.
The Tennessee State Capitol was finished in 1859, and is one of the few state capitol buildings in the U.S. without a dome.
Tennessee’s Replica of the Liberty Bell, which we saw on our last trip. Though much of the grounds were torn up and surrounded by scaffolding, we were able to take a picture.
This equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson is nearly identical to the ones located in Lafayette Park in Washington D.C., and the one in Jackson Square in New Orleans, where he won that famous battle in the War of 1812.
Having visited his museum in Columbia, visiting Polk’s tomb again has much more significance now…
There have been some motions in recent times to move his tomb to Columbia to be interred at that museum, in order to somewhat honor his stipulation in the will that he be buried at Polk Place. The movement has been met with often fierce opposition, and as of now, the tomb will remain here.
Tennessee’s Musical Monument commemorates the different types of music that flourished throughout it’s history, including Blues, Gospel, Bluegrass, Classical, Rock & Roll, and Jazz.
Thinking I was in Ancient Rome for a moment, we explored this War Memorial, dedicated to Tennessee’s lost sons.
With an impressive statue in the middle, and the names of thousands of soldiers honored on the walls around, it was a very nice memorial to accidentally stumble across.
Dang… is it already the end of the post?
I suppose it is, because by the time the final post is published, I will already be back home in Texas! I’ll be sure to offer you a brief recap of our revisit of Ryman Auditorium, before offering a post-mortem of this entire trip, and reflecting on the lessons that we have learned from it…
Thank you all for tuning in to the end… its’ your support that make me so grateful to be able to share our experiences with you.
I’ll see you next time. 🙂
Mark's Historical Roadtrips! 