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Andrew JohnsonNational Historic Site - Tennessee |
Andrew Johnson National Historic Site is located in Greeneville, Tennessee. It was established to honor Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, who became president after Lincoln was assassinated. The site includes two of Johnson's homes, his tailor shop, and his grave site within the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery.
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maps
Official Visitor Map of Andrew Johnson National Historic Site (NHS) Tennessee. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Recreation Map of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NP) in North Carolina and Tennessee. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Map of the U.S. National Park System. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Map of the U.S. National Park System with DOI's Unified Regions. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Map of the U.S. National Heritage Areas. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
brochures
Official Brochure of Andrew Johnson National Historic Site (NHS) in Tennessee. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
https://www.nps.gov/anjo/index.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Johnson_National_Historic_Site
Andrew Johnson National Historic Site is located in Greeneville, Tennessee. It was established to honor Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, who became president after Lincoln was assassinated. The site includes two of Johnson's homes, his tailor shop, and his grave site within the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery.
Andrew Johnson's complex presidency (1865-69) illustrates the Constitution at work following the Civil War. As the President and Congress disagreed on Reconstruction methods, the Constitution served as their guide on balance of powers, vetoes, and impeachment. In the end, it evolved as a living document with pivotal amendments on freedom, citizenship, and voting rights - topics still vital today.
GPS The GPS setting for Andrew Johnson NHS may be listed as 121 Monument Ave, which is the park HQ in the National Cemetery. To arrive at the Visitor Center, use 101 North College Street, Greeneville, TN. Plane The closest airport is the Tri-Cities Regional Airport, 43 miles NE of Greeneville. From the airport, take I-81 South to exit 36 and follow the signs to Greeneville. Car From I-81S take exit 36 to Rt. 172 south to Greeneville. From I-81N take exit 23 to Rt. 11E north to Greeneville.
Andrew Johnson NHS Visitor Center
Begin your visit to the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site at the Visitor Center. Here you will receive orientation to the other parts of the park, in addition to general information, brochures, and directions. The Visitor Center houses the site's 13 1/2 minute film "Defender of the Constitution," the Presidential museum, Andrew Johnson's original Tailor Shop, and the Eastern National bookstore.
GPS The GPS setting for Andrew Johnson NHS may be listed as 121 Monument Avenue, which is the park HQ building in the National Cemetery. Use 101 North College Street, Greeneville, TN for the visitor Center. Plane The closest airport is the Tri-Cities Regional Airport, 43 miles NE of Greeneville. From the airport, take I-81 South to exit 36 and follow the signs to Greeneville. Car From I-81S take exit 36 to Rt. 172 south to Greeneville. From I-81N take exit 23 to Rt. 11E north to Greeneville.
Andrew Johnson Homestead
Andrew Johnson Homestead with snow
Home of the 17th President from 1851-1875
Early Home
Andrew Johnson's Early Home
The Johnson family home from the 1830s - 1851
Andrew Johnson Monument
Andrew Johnson Monument
Gravestone of President and Mrs. Andrew Johnson
Visitor Center
The entrance sidewalk to the Visitor Center with the Memorial Building in view
The entrance to the Visitor Center
The Lodge - Park Headquarters
A view of the lodge in snow
The old caretaker's Lodge in the National Cemetery now serves as Park Headquarters
Andrew Johnson Museum
A view of the museum with center case and wall exhibits
The Museum tells the story of a controversial presidency
The National Cemtery
A view of Monument Hill studded with veteran headstones
The commanding view of Monument Hill with veteran headstones
Why Was Andrew Johnson Impeached?
Whether post-war Reconstruction of the Union would be lenient towards the former Confederacy, as favored by President Johnson, or harsh, as promoted by the Republican-controlled Congress, boiled over into a clash of wills that resulted in the first impeachment of an American president.
Photo of President Andrew Johnson
National Parks and National Cemeteries
Currently, the National Park Service manages 14 national cemeteries. These cemeteries represent a continuum of use dating to a period before the establishment of the historical parks of which they are an integral part and are administered to preserve the historic character, uniqueness, and solemn nature of both the cemeteries and the historical parks of which they are a part.
Setting sun lights up graves and decorations
Death and Dying
The somber aftermath of Civil War battles introduced Americans--North and South--to death on an unprecedented scale and of an unnatural kind, often ending in an unmarked grave far from home. Neither individuals, nor institutions, nor governments were prepared to deal with death on such a massive scale, for never before or since have we killed so many of our own. The Civil War revolutionized the American military's approach to caring for the dead, leading to our modern cult
Photo of freshly buried marked and unmarked graves near Petersburg, Va.
Reconstruction
During Reconstruction, the Federal government pursued a program of political, social, and economic restructuring across the South-including an attempt to accord legal equality and political power to former slaves. Reconstruction became a struggle over the meaning of freedom, with former slaves, former slaveholders and Northerners adopting divergent definitions. Faced with increasing opposition by white Southerners and some Northerners, however, the government abandoned effor
Picture depictsing former slaves and free blacks voting following the passage of the 15th amendment
The Border States
The existence of divided populations in Border States had a profound impact on Union and Confederate strategy-both political and military. Each side undertook military and political measures--including brutal guerilla warfare-- in their attempts to control areas of divided loyalty and hostile moral and political views held by local civilians.
Painting showing removal of Missouri civilians from their homes by Union troops
The War and Westward Expansion
With Federal resources focused on waging the war farther east, both native tribes and the Confederacy attempted to claim or reclaim lands west of the Mississippi. The Federal government responded with measures (Homestead Act, transcontinental railroad) and military campaigns designed to encourage settlement, solidify Union control of the trans-Mississippi West, and further marginalize the physical and cultural presence of tribes native to the West.
Painting Westward the Course of Empire Takes its Way showing settlers moving into the American west
The Civil War in American Memory
America's cultural memories of the Civil War are inseparably intertwined with that most "peculiar institution" of American history - racial slavery. But in the struggle over Civil War memory which began as soon as the war was over and continues to this day, rival cultural memories of reconciliation and white supremacy have often prevailed. Therein lies the challenge as the National Park Service - a public agency - seeks to "provide understanding" of the Civil War era's lasting impact upon the development of our nation.
Elderly Union and Confederate veterans shake hands at the fiftieth anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg
Mary Clemmer Ames and “Ten Years in Washington”
Mary Clemmer Ames' book Ten Years in Washington, was first published in 1874. The book is an engaging account of the notable buildings and agencies centered in the nation’s capital, and the people whose activities breathed life into them. Read excerpts from her book which include First Lady Julia Grant, First Lady Lucretia Garfield among others.
Mary Clemmer Ames portrait
Andrew Johnson National Cemetery Cultural Landscape
The Andrew Johnson National Cemetery was administered by the War Department until 1942, when it was designated a National Monument and transferred to the NPS. The cultural landscape includes historic features from the two periods of significance associated first with the use of the land by the Johnson family as a burial ground and the establishment and later the development of the National Cemetery by the War Department.
North gate of Andrew Johnson National Cemetery (Andrew Johnson National Cemetery: CLI, NPS, 2009)
Andrew Johnson's Inauguration
Andrew Johnson Inauguration
Group of men in a room inaugurating Andrew Johnson
Series: African American History at Gettysburg
Abraham Brian, Basil Biggs, James Warfield, and Mag Palm are just a few of the many individuals that were affected by the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg, and each has their own story to tell. We have collected their stories in one place so that you can learn more about their various trials during this tumultuous time in American history.
A black and white photograph of a black family posing with a white man and his horse in a dirt road.
Ranger Roll Call, 1950-1959
In the 1950s, women in uniform continue to work as guides, historians, and archeologists. Few women had permanent positions. A handful of women began to get seasonal ranger-naturalists positions at large national parks for the first time in two decades.
Ann Livesay in her NPS uniform standing in front of a low wall at the edge of the Grand Canyon.
Project Profile: Landscape Stewardship Corps Pre-Apprenticeship Program
In collaboration with the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation, the Historic Preservation Training Center is launching the Traditional Trades Advancement Program-Landscape Stewardship Corps, a nationwide internship program aimed at inspiring youth. The program focuses on providing hands-on experiences and training in cultural landscape preservation, preparing the next generation to become stewards of the National Park Service.
Two people working with seeds
Guide to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) Southeast Region Collection
This finding aid describes the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) Southest Region Collection, part of the NPS History Collection.
Meet the Curator - Kendra Hinkle
Kendra Hinkle is the Museum Specialist/Cultural Resource Manager at Andrew Johnson National Historic Site.
Kendra Hinkle, white woman with brown hair and glasses
Guide to the Ernest A. Connally Papers
This finding aid describes the Ernest A. Connally Papers, part of the NPS History Collection.
Ernest Connally posing with a book
Guide to the Vera B. Craig Papers
This finding aid describes the Vera B. Craig Papers, part of the NPS History Collection.
Vera Craig holding a book and standing in front of a shelf of muesum objects
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson
National Historic Site
Tennessee
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Andrew Johnson Tailor Shop and Early Home
The White House, north side, ca. 1865
ALL IMAGES — NPS UNLESS OTHERWISE CREDITED
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
On August 8, 1871, Sam Johnson (right), as officer of
the day, led a parade down Main Street in Greeneville,
Tennessee. According to the Knoxville Chronicle, a brass
band played from a four-horse wagon, followed by
people in wagons, buggies, and carriages, mounted on
horseback, and on foot. At the Sabbath School, children
joined the parade. They carried an American flag. The
entire group continued for several miles to Tusculum
College, where Andrew Johnson, former president of
the United States (left), delivered an address.
Andrew Johnson Homestead
In 1842 Andrew Johnson purchased and enslaved Sam.
On August 8, 1863, while serving as military governor
of Tennessee, he freed Sam and his family, and his
other enslaved people. He became a supporter of the
13th Amendment to the US Constitution, which prohibited slavery. He encouraged Tennessee legislators
to add the provision to the revised state constitution.
Yet, when he succeeded to the presidency after Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, Andrew Johnson opposed
Congress’ plan to give unconditional voting rights and
citizenship to formerly enslaved men. His conflicting,
prejudicial beliefs and politics remain a source of controversy and debate today.
Sam Johnson
FROM POVERTY TO PRESIDENT
Andrew Johnson was born into poverty in 1808. Apprenticed
to a tailor after his father’s death, he ran away in 1824. He
traveled the South, honing his tailoring and public speaking
skills. Urged to run for political office to give a voice to the
“common man,” he was elected a city alderman in
Greeneville, Tennessee, in 1829.
President Andrew Johnson
ANDREW JOHNSON—BRADY-HANDY COLLECTION /
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS; US CONSTITUTION—NATIONAL
ARCHIVES
Grand National Union party
banner, 1864
Johnson’s 40 years in politics included serving as mayor of
Greeneville (1834, 1837), Tennessee state representative
(1835–37, 1839–41) and state senator (1841–43), US representative for Tennessee (1843–53), governor of Tennessee (1853–
57), and US senator (1857–62, 1875). President Abraham
Lincoln appointed him military governor of Tennessee in
1862. The National Union Party nominated him as Lincoln’s
running mate in 1864. After Lincoln’s assassination Johnson
became the 17th president. He completed his term in 1869.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
PRO-UNION SOUTHERN DEMOCRAT
A decade before Andrew Johnson joined in 1839, the Democratic Party formed around ideals of limited federal government, states’ rights, and a farm-based culture and economy
(agrarianism). By the 1850s the party also advocated westward expansion, including removal of Native Americans from
their ancestral lands and the extension of slavery. By 1860 it
had become the party of slavery. The Republican Party
formed in opposition.
Andrew Johnson, painted by
Samuel Shaver, ca. 1860
Although a Southern Democrat who maintained he was for
“a white man’s government,” Andrew Johnson was strongly
pro-Union. He railed against secession on the Senate floor,
calling his peers to swear by ”all that is sacred and holy, that
the Constitution shall be saved, and the Union preserved.” He
became the only Southern senator to remain in Congress
even after his state seceded. This stance earned him celebrity
in Northern—mostly Republican—states and led to his roles in
Lincoln’s administration.
Sam and Dolly Johnson
Presidency and Impeachment
Andrew Johnson purchased Sam (age 12) in November
1842, and Sam’s half-sister Dolly (age 19) two months
later. Will Johnson, Dolly’s enslaved son, would comment
in 1937, “…we were mighty well off then, but any man
would rather be free than be a slave.” On August 8, 1863,
Johnson freed his enslaved people, who chose to work
for the family as paid servants.
President Johnson differed with Congress on how to
interpret the US Constitution and maintain limits on federal authority during Reconstruction. Johnson based his
lenient amnesty plan for restoring the Southern states on
Lincoln’s wartime Ten Percent plan, but it allowed former
Confederate leaders to return to power. Congress drafted
several plans for Reconstruction with strict readmission
requirements for the former Confederate states and
extensive legislation to aid the formerly enslaved.
After the Civil War, Sam lobbied for the education of
emancipated youth in Greeneville. Johnson confided to
Sam that he wished to be buried atop Signal Hill (now
Andrew Johnson National Cemetery). Dolly opened a
bakery in the former president’s old tailor shop.
Dolly Johnson and the president's grandson, Andrew
Johnson Stover, ca. 1863
The political battle came to a head when Johnson fired
Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, a cabinet member
appointed under Lincoln. The House impeached Johnson
for violating the Tenure