To commemorate the 250th birthday of the People’s President, the Andrew Jackson Foundation will launch a 12-month series of programs on his birthday, Wednesday, March 15, with the premiere of the new film “Jackson” about the seventh president’s life.
The centerpiece of a weeklong series of events and programs will be the Presidential Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Jackson’s tomb at 11 a.m. March 15 at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage.
Ret. Gen. Keith Huber and Andrew Jackson VI will place the presidential wreath on Jackson’s grave accompanied by the Tennessee Army National Guard. Guests can attend the ceremony, listen to a patriotic music concert and experience a military flyover of the site.
The 250th birthday celebration will extend from March 11 to 18, beginning with a birthday cake contest and craft beer festival, and will conclude with a two-day War of 1812 military encampment at The Hermitage. Throughout the week, friends and families can engage with and learn about Jackson’s dynamic life, meet five of his preceding presidents, help decorate the hickory pole, watch horse-racing (one of Jackson’s favorite and lucrative passions), and experience the War of 1812 Campfire Tour.
“This is an important time to know the Andrew Jackson story, to understand why the past is prologue to today’s issues and to go beyond the shorthand you see in much of the contemporary discussion,” said Howard Kittell, CEO of Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage. “With the birthday week celebration, we’ve added new programming and features to bring that story to life.”
The full schedule of events for the week includes:
Program of Events:
Saturday, March 11
Birthday & Brew Festival ¦ 1–5 p.m.
Listen to live music, enjoy unlimited craft beer, taste a variety of birthday cakes and try food from some of Nashville’s favorite food trucks. During this celebration, a panel of celebrity judges including Wells Adams from ABC’s “The Bachelorette,” Danielle Maltby from ABC’s “The Bachelor,” owners of Five Daughters Bakery Isaac and Stephanie Meek, Steve Hayslip from NewsChannel 5, and former Titans receiver Chris Sanders will pick their favorite cake from local entries to serve as the official cake of Andrew Jackson’s 250th birthday. NewsChannel 5’s Rhori Johnston will emcee the competition. All tickets for this 21-and-over event come with a commemorative 250th Birthday tasting glass.
To find out more, visit http://thehermitage.com/event/birthday-brew-festival/.
Wednesday, March 15
Andrew Jackson’s 250th Birthday Celebration ¦ 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
As March 15 marks Jackson’s birth date, this event is packed with festive activities all day, perfect for the whole family. Start the day with the debut of the introductory film “Jackson” and tour the renovated theater. The day’s activities include a wreath-laying on Jackson’s tomb, a Tennessee National Guard concert, book signing by Judge Andrew Jackson VI, hickory pole racing, chocolate sampling and more.
To find out more, visit http://thehermitage.com/event/president-jacksons-250th-birthday-celebration/2017-03-15/.
Thursday, March 16
Jackson Education Day ¦ 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
This morning-to-afternoon event is specifically designed for K–12 audiences. Students and chaperones will be able to hear from Jackson and some of his presidential peers. They will also get to do hands-on activities like decorating wreaths to commemorate Jackson and making their own shakos, the tall helmets worn by soldiers during the War of 1812.
To find out more, visit http://thehermitage.com/event/jackson-education-day/2017-03-16/.
Thursday, March 16
An Evening With Five Presidents ¦ 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Come hear from presidents Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Monroe and Jackson about their experiences in office at The Hermitage’s newly renovated theater. Reception to follow.
To find out more, visit http://thehermitage.com/event/an-evening-with-five-presidents/.
Friday and Saturday, March 17–18
War of 1812 Military Encampment ¦ March 17, 8 a.m.–March 18, 5 p.m.
Join over 150 costumed interpreters as they recreate a military encampment from the War of 1812. Talk to men and women about the militia and experience a drilling practice.
To find out more, visit http://thehermitage.com/event/war-of-1812-military-encampment/.
Saturday, March 18
War of 1812 Campfire Tour ¦ 7–9 p.m.
Spend the evening on a lantern tour of the militia encampment created on The Hermitage grounds. Native American allies, militia soldiers and the general himself will guide you through this unique, one-night-only experience.
To find out more, visit http://thehermitage.com/event/war-of-1812-campfire-tour/.
About President Jackson’s Birthday
Every year on March 15, we pause to remember the birthday and accomplishments of Andrew Jackson – the orphaned son of Irish immigrants who grew up to become a Tennessee pioneer, one of America’s foremost military heroes and political leaders, and the seventh president of the United States. Andrew Jackson was born in South Carolina 250 years ago. While he spent his youth in the Carolinas, Tennessee was his adopted home. In 1804, Jackson purchased the farm near Nashville that he would name The Hermitage and call home for the rest of his life. He was buried there in 1845.
About The 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 27 historic buildings, including Jackson’s mansion and tomb, restored slave cabins, a church, and gardens. In recent years, new interpretive initiatives and educational programs such as archaeology and the history of slavery have enhanced the experience of 200,000 annual visitors. In 2015, The Hermitage launched Andrew Jackson: Born for a Storm, a state-of-the-art exhibit that delves into the life of Andrew Jackson, including his military and presidential careers. For more information, visit www.thehermitage.com.