NASHVILLE, TENN.- Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage is preparing for a once-in-a-generation transformation.

The Andrew Jackson Foundation today announced plans for major improvements across the 1,120-acre historic site, including a new, approximately 70,000-square-foot Visitor and Education Center, expanded interpretation, restored historic spaces, new visitor amenities and a reimagined experience for the more than 170,000 people who visit The Hermitage each year.

At the center of the broader vision is a simple idea: “Held by the Land.”

The concept by renowned architect Perkins&Will places the historic landscape at the heart of the visitor experience. The proposed Visitor and Education Center will follow the natural contours of the property, with much of the building located below grade. A new, tree-lined approach and re-oriented walking paths will preserve important views while creating a stronger connection between visitors and the historic landscape.

The goal: bring people into the story before they ever reach the mansion and once on the property transport them into history restoring views as it was when it was Jackson’s home.

“The Hermitage is more than a presidential home. It is a place where some of the most consequential and complicated chapters of American history unfolded,” said Jason Zajac, president and CEO of the Andrew Jackson Foundation. “We have an immense responsibility to preserve this place while making sure the story we tell reflects the full history of the people who lived, worked and were enslaved here, as well as the nation shaped during Jackson’s lifetime and presidency.”

The new Visitor and Education Center will replace the existing facility, which opened in 1989 and can no longer accommodate the needs of the site. The Hermitage now cares for approximately 800,000 objects, but space limitations mean only a fraction can be displayed. The overall transformation is estimated to cost $132 million and would be raised by primarily private donations as well as some public support and grants.

Construction planning is already underway with the new Visitor Comfort Facility and outdoor amphitheater also designed by Perkins&Will. The climate-controlled facility will include seating, snacks, new restrooms, and staff support space, giving visitors a place to rest and recharge during their visit. Like the vision for the Visitor and Education Center, the Visitor Comfort Center is embedded into the land, authentically preserving views from the mansion.

This initial $6 million project was made possible through a state appropriation specifically designated for capital improvements at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage.

“The Hermitage is an important part of Tennessee’s history and helps tell the story of our state and our nation,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “I’m grateful for the General Assembly’s partnership to invest in this historic landmark and ensure its legacy is preserved for generations to come.”

“The Foundation is using the opportunity to rethink not just the building, but how visitors experience the history of The Hermitage and Jacksonian America”, added Zajac.

Design that Inspires

Perkins&Will was selected to lead architectural design for the new facilities and visitor experience after a competitive process that began with an RFQ issued in January. Six architectural firms responded, with three finalists ultimately presenting five concepts to a design committee.

The vision was unanimously approved by the Andrew Jackson Foundation Board of Trustees on Monday, September 21st.

“The new Visitor and Education Center will transport guests and raise the bar on the educational experience available at The Hermitage for generations to come,” said James A. Haltom, Regent of the Board of Trustees. “This vision allows us to tell a broader, fuller and more interconnected story of Jackson, the people who lived and worked at The Hermitage, and the rapidly changing nation in which they lived.”

Expanding and Enhancing Programing

To optimize the new 70,000-square-foot Visitor and Education Center, The Hermitage also began working with Gallagher & Associates on the museum and interpretive experience before selecting the building design.

The philosophy has been to determine what stories need to be told and how they should be experienced, then design the building around those exhibits and experiences and unlock the ability to showcase thousands of artifacts and utilize cutting edge technologies to engage and inform students and visitors.

“The Hermitage is one of Tennessee’s most significant historic destinations and part of what makes our state such a compelling place to visit,” said Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “For generations, it has welcomed visitors from across the country and around the world to experience American history where it happened. As our state’s tourism industry continues to grow and evolve, The Hermitage plays a unique role in broadening that experience, giving visitors another reason to stay longer, explore beyond downtown and connect with the history and culture that have shaped our state. This is an important step in ensuring this endures.”

The Foundation will share additional information on its timeline and future exhibits as the process progresses.