The Big Three
The Three Presidential Mansions and Museums that attract the most visitors each year are, Mount Vernon, Monticello, and Andrew Jackson’s The Hermitage. During the past year, I have been fortunate enough to visit each of them. They all have their strengths and weaknesses, so I will give you my take in case you would like to visit.
Yesterday I was at the Hermitage in Nashville Tennessee. It was a hot August day for sure, and my tour began at 9:45. As a stroke of good luck, I arrived between two large groups of visitors and got a solo guided tour of the mansion.
When I was in school, I could write a book report on Andrew Jackson without bothering to read a book. I had read every encyclopedia that I could get my hands on. I remember a song called The Battle of New Orleans that named Jackson as its Hero. The battle of New Orleans cemented Jackson’s place as an American hero.
Difficult to get a full shot of the front of the mansion due to the trees in front. These trees were not there at the time Jackson was living there.
The tour of the Hermitage is handled by 4-5 guides as you walk through the mansion. It is important to note that all photography is banned inside the home. There is one section that you can see a few rooms and take photos. The guides are professional and answered all of the questions I had about Jackson and the Hermitage which amounted to many.
It is important to mention that of the three mansions, The Hermitage is around 80% authentic items inside the home. Jackson died in 1845, and the mansion was inherited by his adopted son, Andrew Jackson Junior. The son was not the businessman that his father was and the estate was eventually purchased by the State of Tennessee.
So many of the items you see are actually his. I was surprised to see a pair of his shoes, the guide laughed when I exclaimed that his feet were tiny. He wore a size 7-1/2, but actually stood over 6 feet tall.
The next of the big 3 is Monticello. Thomas Jefferson’s mansion with its recognizable dome, the first on a private house in the USA. I enjoyed the tour of Monticello very much. It is named Monticello because it sits on a small mountain and in Italian it literally means little mountain. You buy a ticket at the parking area, and ride a bus to the summit. It is decorated as it would appear in Jefferson’s days there. Not all of the items in the home are original, as after Jefferson died the mansion was sold quickly.
Jefferson’s Monticello. This is the side that is the most recognizable, but it is not the side a visitor would come to upon arrival.
There is an actor that portrays Jefferson that does a short skit, and after the tour completes you are free to wander around the outside of the mansion. There are recreations of log cabins, and kitchens on the property, and you may walk to Jefferson’s Tomb before you exit back to the entryway by bus. There are joggers on the road, but I think it wise to ride the bus to the summit.
Finally, the last of the three is Washington’s Mount Vernon. Positioned on a high bank of the Potomac River, it has the most beautiful view of scenery. It has a large lawn in front of it, and there is an oval walkway around lined by trees.
Coming up on Mount Vernon
I had a low expectation of Mount Vernon. I am not sure why, but I hear more recommendations to visit Monticello than I do for Mount Vernon. The tour Inside the mansion was rushed. There were throngs of visitors on the weekend that I visited, and the guides were really rushing us to get through. Photography is permitted inside, and I have many shots of the interior. There is a working village of sorts at Mount Vernon where you can see seamstresses working on clothes, a spinning wheel making yarn and thread and a blacksmith shop making period ironworks.
This was taken, as you exit the tour, and the kitchen, and sheds are coming up next.
All three men are buried on the Estates. For me standing a Washington’s Tomb was a surreal experience. I cannot explain it other than to say the only other place I have experienced that feeling is at the Sistine Chapel. You get the feeling that he is there.
Both Mount Vernon, and Monticello are in Virginia, with the Hermitage located in Tennessee. I recommend visits to all three when you are in the nearby areas. If I had to plan a vacation to see just one, I would pick Mount Vernon. The film that is shown in the Museum and Visitor Center is moving. To see what a man Washington was inspiring.
I welcome comments or photos of your experience at each.
Thank you for reading.
-AO