Slavery at The Hermitage by Heritage Mom

source: https://heritagemom.com/2022/07/05/slavery-at-the-hermitage/

Andrew Jackson was known as "The People's President," but of course, it depends on which people you're talking about.⁣⁣ Last week, we spent time learning about slavery at The Hermitage outside of Nashville, TN. It's one of our nation's oldest and largest historic site museums, and we took a two-hour tour that focused on the lives of the enslaved people who lived there.⁣⁣

Let's take a look at just a few of the highlights from Andrew Jackson's life:

Before becoming our nation's 7th leader, he engineered one of America's most stunning military victories at the Battle of New Orleans.⁣⁣

He also handed a devastating blow with the Indian Removal Act which led to the loss of ancestral land and many, many lives (the Trail of Tears) through the forced removal of Indigenous Peoples.⁣⁣

He was the first president with a nickname ("Old Hickory") and he sought to advance the rights of the common man against a corrupt aristocracy.⁣⁣

He also became a wealthy planter with hundreds of enslaved people so they would work for free to make and keep him rich.⁣⁣

But won't visiting a presidential plantation perpetuate an unbalanced message of heroism?

"Over the years, we've enjoyed exploring the complexities of American history while visiting the former homes and plantations of past presidents and other prominent families throughout history. Some of my friends have questioned the wisdom of our road trips to places like George Washington's Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.

I think there's a fear that by visiting these estates where some of our country's leaders held humans captive against their will, I'll be perpetuating the message of heroism without facing the realities of how these men and their families lived.

But that can't be further from the truth. I don't shy away from human complexities with my children, and there's no better place to explore the nature of man than on the porch of a slave cabin resting on the property of some of our country's most esteemed leaders."

Amber O'Neal Johnston,

What else did Andrew Jackson do?

His father died before he was born, and he lost his mother and both brothers in the Revolutionary War. ⁣⁣

He also cared for multiple children within his home as an adoptive father and guardian, including his wife's nephews and multiple Creek children (the irony!)⁣⁣

He had a strong sense of chivalry and responsibility, and he also had a horrible temper that led to multiple duels and severe beatings of enslaved people that he wanted to make an example of. ⁣⁣

Question:⁣

How do we explain Andrew Jackson's inconsistencies to our children?⁣⁣

⁣⁣ Answer:⁣⁣ We don't have to.⁣ Our kids get it. ⁣They understand that people can do good things and great evil simultaneously. ⁣⁣

The historic interpreter was concerned about my kids because of the sensitive information involved when discussing slavery at The Hermitage.⁣⁣ I assured her that it would be okay, but I spared her my true thoughts: "Girl, my kids could lead this tour if you want to go sit in the shade for a bit." 🙂

Kids are AMAZING. They have the full capacity to form their own opinions when given balanced information, and they typically will not demonize or deify historic figures if the adults in their lives don't overspeak. ⁣

Give them the truth, and let them be!

Want to learn more?

I talk about teaching hard history in a healthy way in my book, A PLACE TO BELONG. If you grab a copy, be sure to leave reviews online so others will find it too!). I also have a robust booklist that covers Black history during the same time period: 1800's Black History Books

You can find me talking about things like this and more on Instagram @heritagemomblog. See you there!

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