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Road and Parking Lot Resurfacing
For the next couple of weeks, road and parking lot repair and resurfacing will be taking place at the park. Be aware that conditions will vary and driving/parking accessibility to some of the site units will be altered.
News
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Updated Museum Exhibit Case and Temporary Exhibit To recognize and commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site has created Civil War specific exhibits relating to Andrew Johnson and his family. Andrew Johnson served as Military Governor of Tennessee starting in 1862, and his family either served in the army or spent time as refugees as they struggled to join him in Nashville, TN. Learn more. See below for some highlighted past news events at Andrew Johnson NHS: 
Names left on the wall of the Andrew Johnson Homestead by Civil War Soldiers. NPS Photo But Words Shall Never Harm Me... A temporary exhibit at the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site highlighted the graffiti left on the walls of the Johnson Homestead during the Civil War. 
Eliza McCardle Johnson Eliza Johnson is credited with teaching her husband to read and write. He actually had the rudiments of an education, and she helped further it along. Andrew Johnson acknowledged his gratitude in some of his speeches:
And from Johnson's remarks at the Tennessee State Fair (1857):
Up and coming Junior Rangers start their history hike in the Visitor Center museum. NPS Photo Junior Ranger Day 2013 was a huge success with two "History Hikes" offered throughout the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site and the town of Greeneville. Participants learned about such varied topics as history, the Civil War, historic architecture, and the U.S. flag. 
Children learn about traditions surrounding the Easter Egg Roll at the White House. NPS Photo The Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in partnership with the Nathanael Greene Museum invited the young, and the young at heart, to participate in the annual "Easter Egg Roll" on Saturday, March 23rd at the Andrew Johnson Homestead on Main Street in Greeneville. More than 50 children participated in the event. Andrew Johnson was the first president to hold the Easter Egg Roll on the White House grounds. It was traditionally held at the Capitol, and it moved to the White House permanently during the Hayes administration. 
NPS Photo WBIR Satellite truck at the Andrew Johnson Homestead President's Day Events The Andrew Johnson National Historic Site celebrated President's Day in a number of special ways. On Sunday, February 17th, and again on Monday, February 18th. Park Guide Daniel Luther offered a Powerpoint program entitled "Tennessee's Presidents: Notable Achievements with Unintended Consequences". Tennessee's three presidents; Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, and Andrew Johnson were the focus of the program. The theme of the program was the ways in which Andrew Johnson's two predecessors pursued policies that led to the coming of the Civil War. The program was also presented on Saturday, February 16th, at Greeneville High School as part of the annual Appraisal Fair. During the Appraisal Fair, the Museum Technician presented a program on preservation of family documents and photographs as well. On Monday, February 18, WBIR broadcast a live President's Day program from the Andrew Johnson Homestead. 
Andrew Johnson and the Constitution NPS Photo The past temporary exhibit at the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site visitor center focused on political cartoons, particularly as they interpreted the impeachment of president Andrew Johnson. 
Presidential wreath laying NPS Photo Birthday Wreath-Laying. The annual wreath-laying at the President's grave was held on Saturday, December 29th at 1:30 p.m. The Andrew Johnson National Historic Site and National Cemetery, along with the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment and the Greene County Honor Guard, recognized the 203rd birthday of President Andrew Johnson. The cavalry, acting as representative for President Obama, laid a wreath on President Johnson's grave. The wreath-laying ceremonies have become a White House tradition that commemorates the birthday of all prior U.S. Presidents. 
Wreaths Across America ceremony NPS Photo Wreaths Across America. This impressive annual ceremony took place at the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery on December 15th. A wreath with a red bow was laid on each of the veteran grave-sites in the cemetery, as well as within the President's family plot. Seven ceremonial wreaths representing all branches of the military, as well as MIA/POW, were presented at the ceremony. A twenty-one gun salute and Echo Taps followed the presentation. The mission of Wreaths Across America. is to Honor, Remember, and Teach. 
The Andrew Johnson Homestead Parlor decorated for the holidays. NPS Photo Holiday Open House. The holiday open house at the Andrew Johnson Homestead was held November 30, 2012. Visitors were received by both Andrew Johnson and his younger daughter Mary Johnson Stover for tours of the house. Musical entertainment was presented by the Asbury UMC Community Children's chorus under the direction of Angela Woody. "This event is one of our favorite gifts to the community at this special time of year," says Lizzie Watts, Superintendent of the Andrew Johnson NHS.
School of the Soldier NPS Photo Constitution Week. The Andrew Johnson National Historic Site celebrated the 225th anniversary of the Constitution during Constitution Week September 17-23, 2012. Visitors "signed" the Constitution, took a challenging Constitutional quiz, and went home with a free pocket Constitution. School of the Soldier. On August 18, the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site and National Cemetery hosted a "School of the Soldier" event. Area Boy Scouts spent time with Civil War reenactors, volunteers, and park staff to learn about the life of a Civil War soldier. 
Park Guide Daniel Luther presents a Freedom Day program. NPS Photo Freedom Day.To celebrate "Freedom Day" on August 8, 2012, the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site presented a special exhibit and a Ranger program. Freedom Day recognizes the August 8, 1863 event whereby Military Governor Andrew Johnson freed his personal slaves. 
Presidential Wreath An NPS Photo 
Veteran's graves with wreaths An NPS Photo Wreaths Across America. The park hosted Wreaths Across America, a celebration of remembrance, in the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 11:45 a.m. During the event seven ceremonial wreaths representing each branch of military service, including POW/MIA, were carried through a Junior ROTC line and placed around the flagpole atop monument hill. A moment of silence followed, then Taps was played to conclude the solemn and impressive ceremony. 
Andrew Johnson Presidential Dollar U.S. Mint Archive: Andrew Johnson Presidential Dollar Coin Launch, February 2011 |
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Did You Know?
Martha Johnson Patterson, Andrew Johnson's daughter, said their slave Sam would boast that he was Johnson's servant. "But in truth," she continued, "Andrew Johnson belonged to Sam." According to family tradition, Andrew Johnson told Sam where he wished to be buried.