The Hermitage, Andrew Jackson’s home located in Nashville, is is the third most visited presidential site in the United States. Each year, the 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark welcomes more than 230,000 visitors, most of whom travel from outside Tennessee. The Ladies' Hermitage Association (now the Andrew Jackson Foundation) was organized in 1889 to honor President Andrew Jackson by preserving the home, its furnishings, and the site. Thank goodness they did. President James K. Polk’s house in downtown Nashville was demolished in 1901.
I had just been to the Hermitage with the Bugg Hollow Plein Air Painting group to paint in Rachael’s Garden. The section I chose to paint included what I understood to be the President’s privy. My working title for the painting was Privydential. Due to a lack of records, it is not known if it was built during the president’s lifetime. It was suggested that I call it The Garden Privy at the Hermitage.
I have donated the painting to the Andrew Jackson Foundation to be placed in the auction at the Hermitage Gala to be held September 30, 2023.