Veterans Day in Franklin, Tennessee

Cyndy and I were heading into Franklin just to explore this darling town. Neither of us realized that it was Veterans Day. How fortuitous to be there for such a special, hometown event.

This emotional parade featured local JROTC units, marching bands from the area's high schools, and students from the Franklin Special School District, alongside community organizations, and local veterans. It was truly exceptional.




















“Wars may be fought with weapons,
but they are won by men.”
-George S. Patton Jr


“Honoring the sacrifices many have made for our country
in the name of freedom and democracy
is the very foundation of Veterans Day.”
— Charles B. Rangel
Okay, if I lived here, I would join A+ Senior Twirlers, a performance group consisting of members over the age of 50. It's my childhood dream. Wow.

A delicious lunch was savored in this 1876 building at Gray's on Main.
A respite occurred at the Coffee House, housed in a charming, restored historic Victorian-era home. It was the idyllic place to recount the events of the day.
Our last stop was at Carnton House, a historic plantation home built in 1826 by Randal McGavock. The property, comprising 1,420 acres, played an important role during and immediately after the Civil War Battle of Franklin. Carnton was situated less than one mile from the location of the 1864 battle's Union Army eastern flank, and it became the principal temporary field hospital for tending the wounded. More than 1,750 Confederate soldiers lost their lives at Franklin, and on Carnton's back porch four deceased Confederate generals' bodies were laid out for a few hours after the battle.
To the northwest of the house on a 2-acre section of the property is the McGavock Confederate Cemetery, the largest privately owned military cemetery in the United States. Donated by the McGavock family as a permanent burial ground for the soldiers killed in the Battle of Franklin, the cemetery is organized by state resulting in thirteen sections separated by a 14-foot pathway.

The nearly 1,500 Confederate soldiers buried here were first buried at the battleground, but were reinterred in 1866. While 780 of the soldiers have been identified, 558 are still unknown. What a somber conclusion to our day remembering those who have served.
“Let danger never turn you aside
from the pursuit of honor
or the service to your country …
Know that death is inevitable
and the fame of virtue is immortal.”
-Robert E. Lee

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Andrew Jackson's HERMITAGE

Our final friend connect (we think) is with our dear friend, Cyndy, who we knew from Tahoe. She relocated to Franklin, Tennessee, several years ago and we were eager to experience the wonderful life she created there. Wow!

In keeping with our quest to learn more about our country during America's 250th, Cyndy took us to Andrew Jackson's Hermitage. She suggested that we experience one of the nation's most authentically preserved presidential homes in an unforgettable way... By taking the VIP tour. "This 90-minute walking tour covers approximately half a mile from start to finish, offering an elevated, in-depth look at the home of America's 7th president—designed for those who want more than the standard visit." Our tour allowed us the convenience of having the same guide (awesome Tom) with us throughout, which created a much more engaging experience with plenty of opportunities for us to ask questions, dive deeper into the stories of The Hermitage, and take lots of photos.
I have to admit that I knew nothing of Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, before my time here. Through our over two hour long tour, we learned so much about "The People's President" who emerged from humble beginnings to become a military hero and a key figure in shaping 19th-century America. Known for his populist appeal, he left a complex legacy, with achievements including the Battle of New Orleans and the establishment of the modern Democratic Party. There is far too much to include here, so I recommend a further explore of this complex, and interesting, man.


Family was deeply important to Andrew Jackson. Being orphaned as a teenager impacted his relationships. Andrew Jackson met Rachel Donelson Robards (who was still married to someone else at the time) at her mother’s boarding house in 1788. Upon marrying, Jackson found himself amongst a large, close-knit family of brothers, sisters, in-laws, nieces and nephews. Many of them provided integral support to Jackson throughout his life.

Though they had no biological children, they adopted one of Rachel’s nephews (a twin) shortly after birth, in 1808, and raised him as their own. Named Andrew Jackson, Jr., he grew up at The Hermitage but remained close to his biological family. Oh the stories we heard!

His home, The Hermitage, was Andrew Jackson's home from 1804 until his death in 1845.
The original Hermitage Mansion was a brick, Federal-style house completed in 1821 by skilled carpenters and masons from the local area. The enslaved manufactured the bricks onsite. During Jackson’s presidency in 1831, the mansion underwent a major renovation. Flanking one-story wings, a two-story front portico with 10 Doric columns, a small rear portico, and copper gutters were added.
The Dufour wallpaper is adapted from "Les aventures de Télémaque, fils d'Ulysse" (English: The adventures of Telemachus, son of Ulysses) by Francois Fenelon in 1699. The novel takes place within the context of Homer's The Odyssey. Fancy!





The east wing housed a library and a farm office. A large dining room and pantry comprised the west wing. A detached kitchen and a smokehouse were also added behind the 13-room, 8,000-square foot mansion. The remodeling gave the house a Classical form.

President Andrew Jackson died, in this room, of heart failure, dropsy (edema), and chronic tuberculosis on June 8, 1845, at the age of 78.



In 1831, Jackson hired architect David Morrison to remodel The Hermitage Mansion and build a tomb for both Rachel and him. The Greek architectural style reflected the design selected for the mansion.

Work began on this limestone tomb with its frame and copper roof in late 1831 and was finished in the summer of 1832. During its construction, Jackson’s letters home constantly called for information on the progress of the tomb’s construction. In September 1832, Jackson set a small area to the south where other family members are buried in an adjoining plot.

Interestingly, Alfred Jackson's grave is located in the Andrew Jackson Family Cemetery, too. Alfred (c. 1812–1901) was born into slavery at The Hermitage. He spent his entire life on the property, working as a servant, wagoner, and later as a tenant farmer and one of the very first tour guides/caretakers for the Ladies’ Hermitage Association.
Having lived at the estate longer than anyone else on record, he requested to be buried near the Jackson family plot. His headstone famously reads "Uncle Alfred, Faithful Servant of Andrew Jackson"—reflecting late 19th-century naming conventions.
This was Alfred's original 1843 eastern red cedar log cabin and where our tour ended.
And this is where our day ended. The three of us dined, discussed the day, and then Steve departed. For the next two nights, he'll be on his own while Cyndy and I have long overdue 'girl time'. What fun.

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