Tales from the Trail - THE TRAIL OF THE LONESOME PINE

Yorktown Day - The 241st Anniversary of the Victory of Yorktown

laurel housden — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 20:30:15 +0000

The historic town of Yorktown Virginia celebrates Yorktown Day annually on October 19th with wreath laying ceremonies, a parade, and an inspirational ceremony with several noteworthy speakers at the foot of the Victory Monument . Yorktown Day commemorates the surrender of Lord Cornwallis’ British and German troops at Yorktown, Virginia, to General George Washington’s Allied American and French troops on October 19, 1781.

The History of Yorktown Day - Taken from the Official Program:

On October 19, 1947, the Comte de Grasse Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated the 25th ceremony of sponsorship of the Yorktown Day activities. The ceremony spurred the interest of other groups to form a committee to plan and carry out Yorktown Day programs. On August 19, 1949, the committee formed the Yorktown Day Association. Among its activities was the placement of memorial wreaths at the Monument to Alliance and Victory by various societies, which set the tradition upon which future Yorktown Days were based. Since that time, the Yorktown Day Association members have planned patriotic exercise every year to commemorate the victory at Yorktown, which virtually assured American indepience.

This event has been high on my bucket list and I’m just so thrilled to have attended it. Enjoy!

Presidents Heads | Williamsburg, Virginia

laurel housden — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 23:41:35 +0000

These 43 former U.S. Presidents were once a part of Presidents Park in Williamsburg, Virginia. In 2010, the park was sold and the new owners wanted these 20 foot busts destroyed. Howard Hankins, who helped constructed the park, could not imagine them all destroyed so he had all of the busts moved to his farm- where they have sat for over 10 years now.

The farm is located on private property and the only way to visit the Presidents Heads is to arrange a tour with John Plashal, a local photographer. We visited the heads in November of 2019 and had a wonderful time. We had plenty of time to walk among the soaring heads and take plenty of pictures. John offers a very informative tour and explains the story of the heads and lots of fun trivia about the former presidents.

Here is a great article from Atlas Abscura all about the Presidents Heads. If you want to schedule a tour of the Presidents Heads, contact John Plashal Photography. He offers day tours as well as night tours with light painting workshops. Very cool!

The abandoned busts of 32 U.S. Presidents located on a private field in Williamsburg Virginia. We visited in 2019 and had an amazing day!

Alafia River Rendezvous - Homeland Florida

laurel housden — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 18:46:47 +0000

The Florida Frontiersmen are hosts of the 49th annual Alafia River Rendezvous. With over one thousand children and adults that portray pre-1840’s camp life, it has become one of the largest such gatherings in the southeast. It is located on the Florida Frontiersmen Property in Homeland, Florida, and is open to the public for only two days a year. The event helps provide scholarships to local high school students, as well as other educational opportunities for the general public. The Alafia River Rendezvous is held in January.

The camp goes “primitive” for the week with only pre-1840’s objects allowed, and throughout the week there are daily activities such as basket weaving, shooting contests, and musical performances. Many vendors or sutlers also participate and many offer one-of-a-kind items that are unique to the time period. There is even a daily school that participating children can attend while absent from their modern counterparts. The camp is so large it is broken down into areas and streets, with a Governer and sheriffs to keep "the peace.” (so you better hide your cellphone!)“ The last two days of the rendezvous are set aside for the public to experience this special slice of pre-1840’s America. There is so much to see including camp life, blacksmithing, trade demonstrations, and so many interpreters that are only too willing to share their stories.

I was lucky to attend the Press Day and get a premium tour of the entire site without it being open to the public. I was able to see firsthand the hundreds of living history interpreters that come near and far to participate. We were even treated to a special lunch of rabbit and other delicacies that would have been popular back in the day. I wish to thank Ron Clark and Casey Fletcher of the Florida Frontiersmen for their hospitality and I look forward to visiting again next year. Next year the Alafia River Rendezvous will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary!

I have more photographs available to view at: 2020 Alafia River Rendezvous

I created this short movie of my tour at the Alafia River Rendezvous. It was a beautiful but windy day!

Highlights from the Florida Frontiersmen 2020 Press Day tour at the Alafia River Rendezvous in Homeland Florida.

4 days in Colonial Williamsburg

laurel housden — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 16:18:35 +0000

My review of my four day stay in Colonial Williamsburg that was featured on the Official Colonial Williamsburg Facebook Page.

President James K. Polk Home and Museum | Napoleon of the Stump

laurel housden — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 18:46:36 +0000

President James K. Polk Home and Museum, located in Columbia, Tennessee

I wouldn’t blame you at all if the name “James Knox Polk” didn’t jog much in your memory. Our eleventh president has been largely ignored both by textbooks and pop culture. He had no tragic assassination story, nor was his personality particularly fiery or over the top. Many would assume his single term in office was as uneventful as it was short, another chief executive who failed to quell the tensions that would soon erupt into the Civil War. However, when the life and labor of this obscure politicians are actually examined, what’s discovered is a determined and workmanlike ability that made James K. Polk’s presidency one of the most successful, and important, in the history of our country. And no one takes greater pride in explaining this hidden legacy than the people at the President James K. Polk Home and Museum.

The house itself is located in Columbia, Tennessee, a small town that Polk’s family actually helped to found in 1808. Completed in 1816, Polk would only live there for a few years before moving on and pursuing his political career. However, it now stands as Polk’s last remaining residence (besides the White House, of course), which has greatly contributed to its memorialization as a hub for all things James K. Polk. Before you even enter the actual homestead, take a trip next door to the Sisters’ House, which acts as a visitor center for the site (though it was once home to the families of Polk’s married sisters). Upon entering, you are greeted with a surprisingly well-stocked gift shop, which leads right into a mini-theatre. There, you can watch a short, educational movie on Polk to give you historical context for the house tour. The center also features a wonderfully curated museum, which documents the unexpected rise of “Young Hickory” through America’s blossoming Second Party System. You’ll definitely leave the exhibit with a thorough appreciation of Polk’s accomplishments, ready to discover the secrets awaiting you within his actual home. But what really is there to appreciate about President James K. Polk?

Museum inside the Visitor Center As shown, James K. Polk had many accomplishments Original daguerreotype of James Polk and his wife, Sarah Visitor Center and Gift Shop Gift Shop is well stocked View from Gift Shop into lobby and museum entrance View of Visitor Center from corner

Polk was born in 1795 to a moderately well-off farming family from North Carolina. The family moved out to the Tennessee frontier in 1806, where his father would have much influence as a land surveyor. However, James’ sickly childhood meant it would be difficult for him to follow in his father’s footsteps, and he instead took a more intellectual path. He would excel at the University of North Carolina, and by age twenty-three he was learning law from important politician Felix Grundy. Though quiet in nature, he always displayed dignity and respect, which, combined with a youthful charm, proved to be the perfect demeanor for his Tennessee electorate. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1825, where he would go on to serve seven terms as a Jacksonian Democrat. His political skills were greatly refined during this period, and his success as a loyal ally of Andrew Jackson led to his selection as Speaker of the House in 1835, the only president to ever hold the title. However, no success story is without its failures. He left the House in 1839 to run for governor of Tennessee, which he won, only to lose the subsequent races of 1841 and 1843. Stripped of elected office, Polk entered the election year of 1844 with little hope of any national political power.

However, 1844 turned out to be a strange year for the Democratic Party, with more experienced candidates like former President Martin Van Buren and political veteran Lewis Cass proving too controversial to gain necessary support at the Democratic convention. After many failed ballots, James K. Polk, who had been hoping for the vice-presidential position, was put forward as a safe compromise candidate, and he quickly won the nomination. Polk put together an ambitious set of campaign promises, which involved establishing an independent treasury, lowering the national tariff, and acquiring the territories of Oregon and California from Britain and Mexico, respectively. In a close and contested election against Whig Party leader Henry Clay, Polk came out on top with the tightest popular vote margin at the time. Though the road to the presidency had been hard and, at times, impossible, Polk was determined to fulfill the promises he made. One by one, he checked off every major campaign promise, a feat that remains unmatched by any other president to this day. By the end of his first term, Polk had cleaned up the nation’s financial situation, waged and won a war against Mexico, and expanded America’s territory by more than one-third, from sea to shining sea. Keeping his last major promise to not seek a second term, Polk retired from public life in March of 1849, only to die three months later from cholera at the age of fifty-three. Honest, hard-working, and dutiful to the end, Polk made sure to leave his country better, and certainly bigger, than before.

Below are pictures of Polk’s charming town of Columbia, Tennessee.

Though this life overview is intriguing in and of itself, a tour of James K. Polk’s homestead promises countless more stories from his unlikely career. Being his only major dedicated museum, the ancestral home contains a diverse assortment of the president’s belongings and furniture, all displayed as if Polk was going to walk in tomorrow. As you venture from room to room, the guide shares little-known tidbits spanning his entire life, going beyond just the politics. One major topic of the tour is Polk’s wife, Sarah Childress, whose immense wealth, intelligence, and beauty made her a powerful force in and out of the White House. Living to the age of eighty-seven, Sarah had the longest retirement and widowhood of any first lady, a longevity that no doubt contributed to the large amount of interesting tales centered around her. There are definitely more surprises than one would initially expect within the house of this little-known president, and even after the house tour is finished, there are more Polk-themed buildings to visit. In the homestead’s backyard lies a detached kitchen, which was reconstructed in 1946 on the grounds of its original foundation. The structure, fully furnished with kitchen items of the time, gives great insight into how food would have been prepared in the early nineteenth century. Located next to the homestead is also the Polk Presidential Hall, which, though originally constructed as a church, was recently converted into a museum gallery. Containing a wide array of artifacts, the exhibits within go beyond just James K. Polk, spreading awareness to other historically and culturally significant topics of his time. Combining a tour of the main house with visits to the visitor center, kitchen, and Polk Presidential Hall provides an enriching experience that will leave you deeply educated on the life and world of a man who deserves much more credit than he gets.

Aidan in front of the Polk Home Plaques located next to the front entrance Foyer of the Polk Home Living Room Two paintings made during James K. Polk's Presidency - notice how he aged Dining Room Sarah Polk's original harpsichord The Polk Home from the back Detached kitchen in the back Interior of the kitchen with furnishings of the time The Polk Presidential Hall The museum houses a variety of different exhibits An original letter that helped found the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD Original daguerreotype of Polk's Cabinet in 1846 - the first ever taken inside the White House

So, take a trip to Colombia, Tennessee, to unearth the stories of our unrightfully overlooked eleventh president. Though not nearly as famous as his Tennessean predecessor Andrew Jackson, he followed candidly in his footsteps, working tirelessly to improve the country for future generations. The character of his frontier home perfectly parallels his unique life: though humble and unassuming, a treasure trove of wonder and interest awaits for anyone who cares to examine it. Nothing less than a historic gem, the James K. Polk Home and Museum is a must for anyone looking to be surprised by the tales of our past.

Thanks for reading!

Useful links:

President James K. Polk Home & Museum is located at 301 W. 7th Street in downtown Columbia, TN
Visit Columbia Tennessee - Official Website
The Inn at Bigby Creek - The three of us stayed for an evening here while visiting the Polk Museum and can throughly recommend it!

Visiting President Jimmy Carter on President's Day

laurel housden — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 19:52:21 +0000

What better way to celebrate President’s Day than to visit a former President and First Lady of the United States! President and Mrs. Carter were on hand at the historic Plains High School to answer questions previously provided by students from across the state of Georgia. He has done this program for the last several years to celebrate President’s Day. Aidan and I were so excited to be attending this event and getting a chance to meet a former President! We also have the utmost respect for President Jimmy Carter and the peacemaker that he is.

Historic Plains High School is the President’s former high school and also the official Visitors Center of the Jimmy Carter National Parks in Plains, Georgia. The program was scheduled to start at 11 a.m. and the doors opened at 9 a.m. All visitors have to go through the secret service line. There were no guarantees that there would be seating in the auditorium where Mr. Carter would be speaking, so we decided to leave early to guarantee a spot in the room where it happens.

Waiting in line to go through the Secret Service. When we arrived at 9 a.m. there was maybe about 20 other people with us. We thought that maybe we didn’t need to get here so early!

The drive to Plains, Georgia is 3 1/2 hours so we left Gainesville, Florida at about 5:30 a.m. and arrived right on time at 9 a.m. When we arrived there were only about 5 cars in front of us as we drove up the drive to park. We had to wait in line to go through the secret service checkpoint and then were led inside the building - to wait in another line before entering the auditorium. We were excited when we realized that we were going to be able to be seated inside the auditorium. By the time the doors to the auditorium opened for seating - there was a big line of people that wrapped around the corner - and many of those people were not going to be seated inside the auditorium. There was an overflow room on the second floor to hear Mr. Carter speak.

Inside the Historic Plains High-school waiting to enter the auditorium where President and Mrs. Carter will be answering questions from students from across the state of Georgia.

The room was already halfway filled with special guests and the proud parents of the Georgia students who were chosen to ask Mr. and Mrs. Carter questions as part of the program. The program started promptly at 11 a.m. with the park ranger asking everyone to rise as President and Mrs. Carter entered the auditorium and made their way to the stage - where there was a table and chairs for them to sit and address the questions of the students.

We finally made it inside the auditorium. As you can see, it’s not a very large space - only about 200 guests can be seated.

President and Mrs. Carter answer questions from a variety of students from across the state of Georgia.

The program lasted about an hour as about 10 kids addressed the President and Mrs. Carter and asked a variety of questions from, What Makes a Great Leader, to what are your proudest accomplishments of your presidency. You can watch a rebroadcast of the event here.

After the program, Mr. Carter stayed to sign books. Each person was limited to only two so as to keep the line going. As Aidan made his way to the stage to get his book, Faith, signed - I was lucky to be able to be at the right place to record the event. Totally worth the drive.

On President's Day 2019 we attended a very special program with President Jimmy Carter at the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains George. The President kindly signed books at the end of the program.

After the program, Aidan and I headed to the historic district of Plains, Georgia which is only 2 blocks from the Visitors Center. We had lunch at the Buffalo Cafe. It’s a lovely little restaurant that offers a variety of sandwiches and very good cheeseburgers! Here’s a tip - there are a few tables in the front of the cafe where you place your order - but there is a whole dining room filled with seating in the back patio - we had no idea! We did get a nice seat in the front though. After lunch we strolled along to see the other stores. Aidan really enjoyed the Memorabilia store that has tons of political memorabilia dating as far back as the Lincoln administration. There are stickers, buttons, books, and a few very silly novelty items. Next door is a lovely shop that sells the best peanut butter icecream!

The Buffalo Cafe was even recommended by the park rangers at the Plains High School as the place to go for lunch. I admit - it was a very yummy bacon cheeseburger - cheese fries not so much me - but Aidan loved them.

Located next to the Buffalo Cafe is the Plains Trading Post. Aidan loved all the political memorabilia inside. You have to hurry and visit because the owners told us they are retiring and are looking to sell their store - it includes a place to live too - just upstairs!

Don’t get me started!

Inside the Plains Trading Posts. They say that they have presidential pins dating all the way to Lincoln’s admin. Everything orginal!

I came so close…….

Plains Historic District.

Litterly within a peanut’s throw is the Plains Depot. This is the site of Jimmy Carter’s 1976 presidential campaign headquarters. The main reason it was chosen was it was the only building with a bathroom on the first floor! Inside there are educational exhibits about the campaign.

Plains Depot the site of Jimmy Carter’s 1976 presidential campaign headquarters.

Inside the Plains Depot is a very informative exhibit on Jimmy Carter’s 1976 presidential campaign

Across those railroad tracks is Billy Carter’s Service Station. This was the site of Billy Carter’s business from 1972-1984 and this was also the place where the press hung out during the campaign. Inside is a little exhibit featuring more Carter memorabilia - and a very nice bathroom if you are in need!

Located just across the tracks from the historic Plains business district is Billy Carter’s Service Station museum.

Billy Carter’s Service Station was the place where all the press hung out during the presidential campaign.

Its worth a visit inside Billy Carter’s Service Station museum.

There is much more to see in Plains, Georgia including a visit to Jimmy Carter’s boyhood farm. Aidan and I are planning on coming back at the end of April to attend President Carter’s Sunday School service at his church - Maranatha Baptist Church. We will be staying at the Historic Plains Inn and will be visiting all the other places we missed on this trip.

Wall is located just across from the Plains Depot

Useful Inks:

Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains Georgia
Maranatha Baptist Church - Check their schedule to see when President Carter will be teaching
Plains, Georgia Welcome Site - a great resource of local information
Carter Center - The Carter Center is a nongovernmental organization that helps improve life by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy and human rights; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care.
The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

Presidential Valentines

laurel housden — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 15:55:06 +0000

I thought once the kids got out of elementary school that the days of passing out Valentines Day cards was over. Not so - Aidan created this set of Presidential Valentines Day Cards for extra credit in his 11th grade AP American History Class. This was a no brainer for the future Presidential Historian - boy did he have a lot of fun creating them - maybe too much fun! Let's see if you can guess who each President is by leaving a comment below. (Tip - one of these politicians was NOT a president but a presidential candidate)

We will be posting the answers later today - so come back to see how many you got right! In the meantime - download these Valentines Day cards - they print on 8 1/2 x 11 and enjoy!

#1 There’s no compromise when it comes to our love

#2 Your eyes Polk at my heartstrings and your smiles Pierce my soul

#3 I’d go to war with Mexico for you

#4 Tippercanoe and Tyler too, Could not surpass my love for you

#5 I may be a Know Nothing, but I do know that you’re my everything

Leave your comments below - make sure to include the card number with your answers and come back later today for the answer key. Happy Valentines Day!

St. Augustine celebrates Founders Day

laurel housden — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 19:52:02 +0000

Founder’s Day celebrates the landing of spaniard Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles and the founding of St. Augustine on September 8, 1565. The reenactment by the Historic Florida Militia’s Men of Menendez takes place at the Mission Nombre de Dios (the actual place that the landing happened) the Saturday closest to the 8th of September every year.

Menendez and his entourage approach and land at Mission grounds.

Canon fire and musket salutes greet Menendez’s entourage from the adjoining Fountain of Youth Archeological Park.

Mendendez and his men come ashore and are greeted by Father Lopez. Menendez proclaims the land in the name of God (Nombre de Dios).

After the veneration of the Cross, the entourage proceed to celebrate Mass at a rustic alter made of wood. Followed by a Grand Processional from Mission grounds to the Fountain of Youth to reenact the First Thanksgiving.

Celebrating the very first Mass in what would be called the United States

The reenactment did not take very long - about 45 minutes. We arrived 15 minutes before the event and got the very last parking spot. There are a LOT of people that come to Founder’s Day and stay for Mass. If you plan on going next year, arrive early to get a parking spot. Even though it is September, is is still very hot and humid in Florida.

The grounds of Mission of Nombre de Dios are spectacular. Shrines and statues are surrounded by lush greenery and trees. It is here that the Great Cross was erected in 1965 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first parish Catholic Mass. The chapel, which is dedicated to Our Lady of La Leche, is a shrine which houses a detailed carved statue of Mary nursing the baby Jesus.

Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche

The Great Cross was erected in 1965 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first parish Catholic Mass.

Inside the shrine

Bridge from the grounds leads to the Catholic Church and the Mission Nombre De Dios Museum

Aidan and I really enjoyed the Mission Nombre De Dios Museum. We were very lucky to have a private tour of the many artifacts by docent, John. The museum focuses on the founding of St. Augustine. There is a wonderful diorama of the Mendendez Landing of 1565 and my favorite, the original casket in which Menendez was buried in 1574.

Original casket that Menendez was buried in 1574 - his mortal remains were transferred to a crypt in Spain in 1924

Diorama of the landing of Menendez

John, our wonderful museum tour guide

View from the museum

Unfortunately, the events of the day did not stay with the posted schedule. While Mass was being held, Aidan and I did our museum tour. We thought we had plenty of time to head over to The Fountain of Youth Archeological Park for the reenactment of the processional to the grounds from the mission and the very First Thanksgiving. When we arrived at 12:50 for a supposed 1 pm. start - the reenactment had already been done. Apparently the schedule changed and they were much earlier. Even though we were disappointed, we did walk around the park and have a sip of water from the famous Fountain of Youth.

Entrance to the Fountain of Youth

Menendez Settlement Field

St Augustin Watchtower

I feel 10 years younger!

History of Founder’s Day by Florida Historic Coast

On September 8, 1565, more than 450 years ago, Admiral Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés stepped ashore from Matanzas Bay on behalf of Spain and founded St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest continuously occupied European city in the continental United States. Each year, the city of St. Augustine marks this momentous occasion with Founder’s Day events, historical re-enactments, a mass, procession, meals and more.

Menéndez was joined by soldiers and sailors and more than 100 civilians. Married men and women, artisans, tradesmen and children made up the settlement at the Timucuan village of Seloy. Kneeling and kissing the cross carried by Father Lopez, Menéndez and his officers swore allegiance to God and King and proclaimed this place as “St. Augustine.”

The Real First Thanksgiving

The landing party celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving and, afterward, Menéndez laid out a meal to which he invited as guests the native Timucuan Indians who occupied the site. The Thanksgiving at St. Augustine was celebrated 56 years before the Puritan-Pilgrim Thanksgiving at Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts, which makes this the first Thanksgiving in the continental U.S between Europeans and native peoples.

Founder’s Day is celebrated in St. Augustine each year on the Saturday closest to Sept. 8. The celebration starts in the morning at the Mission Nombre de Dios with a re-enactment of the landing of Pedro Menendez and his crew and a Catholic Mass of thanks and celebration. After the Mass, re-enactors travel from the Mission to the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, the original location of Menendez’ first settlement of St. Augustine.

Important Links:

Andrew Johnson National Historic Site | The Constitution President

Aidan Housden — Tue, 31 Jul 2018 16:45:02 +0000

A bronze statue of President Andrew Johnson on the corner of College and Depot Street

Out of all the chief executives that have served the United States, 17th President Andrew Johnson has gone down as one of the worst. His attempts at unifying the country after the havoc of civil war only increasingly earned him disapproval from a Congress that would eventually have him impeached. However, there’s more to this man than just a lackluster presidency, and the modest town of Greeneville, Tennessee showcases this legacy brilliantly.

The Andrew Johnson NPS Visitor Center. Johnson's tailor shop is located just behind the large arched windows.

A view of the tailor shop from inside the Visitor Center.

After entering the tiny town, the first stop on the Johnson tour is the NPS Visitor Center. This building not only features a museum that encompasses Johnson’s entire life, but also includes a gift shop and Andrew Johnson’s original tailor shop. It’s literally inside of the Visitor Center! There’s also a short movie that explains Johnson’s rise to and fall from the presidency, after which you get to vote on whether Johnson should have been removed from office. Make sure you obtain the free tickets to the Homestead tour, which you will need later. I also suggest getting the Junior Ranger bag, which includes activities to do along the way. Once you have a general understanding of Andrew Johnson, you can begin traveling to the other buildings at the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site.

Entrance to the Visitor Center Presidential Peace Medals Entrance to the Tailor Shop Exhibit The Original Tailor Shop Sign

The park is structured like a story, beginning with a model of Johnson’s birthplace and ending with his resting place. This allows visitors to achieve a complete picture of how such a humbly born boy trudged by sheer force of will to the highest office in the land. The start of this journey is in the Andrew Johnson Birthplace Replica. Though not the same log cabin that Johnson lived in as a child, the building does offer interesting insight into his earliest life stages. Andrew Johnson was born in a similar cabin on December 29, 1808 in Raleigh, North Carolina. With his father dying when Johnson was three, his mother apprenticed him to a tailor, where he would learn his iconic trade. Legal trouble eventually caused him to flee from the apprenticeship, and he would bring his family to Greeneville in 1826. With a grasp of Johnson’s childhood under your belt, the next place to head is Johnson’s Early Home.

Andrew Johnson Birthplace Replica.

View of the NPS Visitor Center and Andrew Johnson's Early Home as seen from Johnson's Birthplace Replica.

Andrew Johnson's Early Home is located right across the street from his tailor shop, which was the center of political dialogue in Greeneville.

The Early Home, right across the street from both the Birthplace Replica and Visitor Center, is another Johnson gem. It’s structured as a mini-museum, focusing on Johnson’s entrance into politics and his core political and moral beliefs. However, it also includes a large timeline of Andrew Johnson’s life, and details his family members down to his great-granddaughter. The exhibit as a whole really helps you to understand Johnson both as a politician and a person. Johnson moved into the house in the 1830s, already an established businessman with a wife, Eliza, and two children. His reading and writing abilities were sharpened with help from Eliza, and his excellent tailoring and friendly attitude gained him popularity. It was at this point when Johnson would enter politics, first becoming town alderman, and soon after becoming Mayor of Greeneville and State Representative. Staying true to his roots, Johnson sought to protect the working class from an oppressive national government, and believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution. He was against slavery, believing it only kept power in the hands of the slaveholding aristocracy, and voted several times in favor of emancipationist interests. Having established himself as a solid Democrat in favor of the working class, his popularity in Eastern Tennessee only increased, and Johnson became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives in 1843. He would serve five terms in the House, and in 1851 he would buy a new brick house on Main Street. When you finish looking around in Johnson’s Early Home, you can walk a couple of blocks to the main attraction: The Andrew Johnson Homestead.

Below are pictures from the inside of Johnson's Early Home.

Though the time on your ticket dictates when you go to the Homestead, there are several sites to see on your way there. These include the Greene County Courthouse, a large statue of Johnson, and several miscellaneous historical signs. Just make sure you’re on the Homestead porch five minutes before the tour begins.

Andrew Johnson mural located on Main Street.

Greene County Courthouse features several statues and monuments.

A vintage historical sign located in front of the Greene County Courthouse.

Andrew Johnson Homestead - the view is facing Main Street.

The tour guide that I got at the Homestead was extremely knowledgeable, having been doing tours for around ten years. She’ll be able to answer any question you might have. The home and its interior are 85% original to when Johnson and his family lived there, and there are a lot of pieces inside. The guide goes room by room, explaining who lived there and what their story was. There were some extremely interesting tales, though I will warn you, there is a lot of death by tuberculosis. After the tour is done, you’re free to roam around the estate, exploring its vast green acreage. Johnson actually lived in the house during two separate periods: firstly from when he bought it in 1851 to the start of the Civil War, and secondly from after his presidency to his death in 1875. He won two terms as Governor of Tennessee from 1853 to 1857, after which he was elected to the U.S. Senate. As tensions over slavery began causing states to secede, Johnson sided with the United States, believing the South had no right to leave the almighty Union. When the question of secession came to Tennessee, it voted in favor, and Johnson fled Greeneville as the only member of a seceded state to remain in the Senate. His continued unionism would have him placed as Military Governor of Tennessee by Abraham Lincoln in 1862, where Johnson sought to eliminate Confederate influence. He did well in this position, and a pleased Lincoln placed him on the Union Party ticket as vice-president. When the pair won the election in 1864 and the rebels surrendered a few months later, things seemed to be going well for Lincoln. However, an assassin’s bullet on April 14, 1865, would be his demise, and a stunned Johnson would take his place as head of the country. Radical Republicans in Congress thought Johnson would be easier to agree with than Lincoln had been, but clear differences in policy quickly emerged. Johnson’s desire to give local governments more control directly contradicted a Republican Congress wishing to micromanage every aspect of the defeated South. A series of Johnson vetoes and Republican veto overrides soon followed, as Republicans won enough Congressional seats in the 1866 midterms to completely shut out Johnson. The confrontation came to a head in 1868, when Johnson fired the Republican Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, which violated the recently created Tenure of Office Act. Though the Articles of Impeachment presented a weak argument, Radical Republicans were so eager to get rid of him that he was formally impeached by the House of Representatives soon after. The Senate had enough Republicans to remove Johnson, but seven of them sided with the Democrat, and he escaped removal by a single vote. Johnson, completely devoid of any political support, would finish his term and return to his home in Greeneville in 1869. After finishing your tour of the Homestead, the last stop on the Johnson tour is the Andrew Johnson Family Cemetery.

Side View of the Andrew Johnson Homestead.

Andrew Johnson owned this home for twenty-four years and lived here both before and after his presidency. It is situated on its original two acre lot.

Below are some items from inside the Johnson Homestead. Click on each picture to learn a bit more.

Portrait of Andrew Johnson Toys from Johnson's Time Pictures of Johnson's Slaves Graffiti in the Homestead

This pecan tree is the only remaining witness tree from when Andrew Johnson lived in the estate.

The cemetery sits on the top of Monument Hill, which gives visitors a great view of Johnson’s beloved town. The gated area actually features many Johnson descendants, including his great-granddaughter, Margaret Patterson Bartlett, his last direct descendant. However, the highlight of the cemetery is evidently Johnson’s burial spot, marked by a tall, ornate obelisk. After Johnson left the presidency, he was still determined to have a political impact, and became the only ex-president to be elected to the Senate in 1874. Tragically, he died only months after taking his seat in the Senate after suffering a stroke on July 31, 1875, 143 years ago today. He had requested that he be buried wrapped in an American flag with a copy of the Constitution under his head.

The formidable monument marking Andrew Johnson's resting place.

The impressive view one gets when gazing at the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Andrew Johnson’s presidency was certainly rough at best. His attempts to usher in the Southern states and protect the rights of ex-Confederates were seen as traitorous by many Republicans. However, he had a firm and respectable set of beliefs that certainly should not be ignored. He believed that the working man should have a voice in government. He believed that the Constitution was the essential document of the country, and that it must be applied to everyone equally. But most of all, he considered the preservation of the Union of utmost importance, and risked his life on several occasions to keep it from dissolving. His decades of public service should not be thrown out solely due to an imperfect presidency, and his legacy will always be preserved at the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Greeneville. I encourage everyone reading to venture to the mountains of Eastern Tennessee to form your own opinion of a man who is often glossed over by history books. For no matter how hard you try to tell them different, the people of Greeneville will always revere their local hero.

Cemetery Sign from the Visitor Center Informative Sign in Front of the Cemetery Andrew and Eliza Johnson’s Gravestone Inscription Gated Entrance to the Johnson Cemetery

2018 Revolutionary War Weekend at Mount Vernon

laurel housden — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 18:20:31 +0000

I so looked forward to attending the 2018 Revolutionary War Weekend at George Washington's Mount Vernon. I had never seen a Revolutionary War Reenactment - and certainly none at this level. I was very impressed with the amount of participation in both the Crown and Allied Forces encampments.

Mount Vernon is a huge estate and the perfect setting for a Revolutionary War themed event. When I arrived through the main visitors center, I was given a detailed brochure with a schedule of all the events for the day, as well as a map to the various sutlers and encampments. And, of course, the battle area!

As I made my way from the Visitors Center towards the encampments, I took this first picture - I was so excited to see these Redcoats.

I made it just in time to see the Drilling Demonstrations and General George Washington chatting to a few dozen guests in the bowling green - with the beautiful Mt. Vernon in the background.

I am amazed at the detail of the uniforms of these dedicated interpreters. I saw Redcoats, Hessians, and Highlanders along with a few more units in the Crown Forces Group.

General George Washington was answering questions and sharing stories of the war to a group of very interested youngsters and their families. We were all a wee bit starstruck - including myself, who was able to grab a selfie with the man himself.

The battle included cannon fire, musket shots, and a group of both Crown and Allied Light Dragoons - who were having way too much fun. One Dragoon even fell off his horse! Both groups of Dragoons were from the HIAFoundation based in Virginia.

After the battle I wandered through the Crown Forces Encampment. I have to say that their lunch was prepared with lots of love and it was a nice spread - salami, cheese, pickles, and fruit. I felt like I was at a Wine & Cheese Festival. Again, I was so impressed with the detail and the beauty of these uniforms and accessories. All of the reenactors were so very nice and hospitable and were open to answering any questions. I especially enjoyed the family atmosphere - many of the units had their children participate with them.

The Allied Forces Camp as located behind Mt. Vernon along the Potomac River. As with the Crown Forces encampment, there was a very nice spread of cheeses, ham, and fruit that these units were enjoying. I meandered from tent to tent introducing myself to all the interpreters and learning more about camp life. I met lots of youngsters with the parents and was very impressed with the detail that went into even the children’s costumes/uniforms. Everyone seemed to be in great spirits and really enjoying the atmosphere of the day - with Mt. Vernon looming in the background.

One of the highlights of the day was meeting the Fife and Drums musicians. They came from several different units. I am particularly partial to military musicians. It still gives me chills to hear the distant sound of a fife and drum on the battleground.

General Washington made another appearance, but this time with the Marquis de Lafayette. They shared stories from the war and insight into their very special relationship. I was very moved by these stories and at the end of their discussion, a little boy gave Lafayette a tiny yellow flower as a token of his love and respect for the war hero.

Before the last battle of the day, the Allied Troops convened onto the Bowling Green in front of Mt. Vernon for their formation and Troop Inspection. It was truly a spectacular sight to see - all these troops from various parts of the country gathering for their inspection. General Washington took his time walking in front of these men and women and inspecting each and everyone one of them. At the end, he gave a rousing speech and sent the troops into battle with high spirits.

In conclusion, I was so very moved by the experience of being around so many dedicated interpreters. I really felt a connection with these Rev War souls and so appreciated their hard work. The countless hours they put into portraying the time period - drilling in the field, cooking authentic dishes, informing people about camp life - really make you feel like you’ve travelled back in time. I really feel like a left with a much more better understanding of how it must of been like during one of America’s most trying times.

Below is a 90 second video highlighting the events of the day.

To view and purchase all the images from the day, go to the Gallery Page on this website.

Highlights from the 2018 Revolutionary War Weekend at George Washington's Mount Vernon, May 5-6.

How Hamilton & Turn inspired our Revolution road-trip

laurel housden — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 17:44:26 +0000

In the summer of 2016, our family embarked on a massive two week Revolutionary War themed road trip from Gainesville, Florida to Boston. It all started with a Monopoly Game.

Like most American history nerds, my 14 yo son Aidan and I could not get enough of Hamilton: An American Musical. We decided to make a custom Hamilton themed Monopoly board for Lin-Manuel Miranda and the cast and crew of the New York Cast. The fun part was recreating the Property Cards. We spent hours researching possible properties that would make sense and in doing this we discovered that many of the places mentioned in the musical where places that could be visited today. Like, A Winter's Ball - which actually happened at the Ford Mansion in Morristown, N.J. (a National Park Service), Washington's Headquarters or The Room Where it Happened - Thomas Jefferson's home in New York City - the house is no longer - but there is a plaque that honors it on the hotel that replaced it. As you can see from the video below - this in itself was a labor of love. It took a couple months to complete but it was so worth it. After all, it inspired a life changing road trip. We sent the Monopoly Board in June of 2016 to New York and actually received a tweet from Lin in January that he thinks its AWESOME! Here is a video of the game:

Created by the Housden Family for the Cast and Crew of Hamilton: An American Musical. We want to give this game to them, so if you know an easy way to do so, please let us know. This game is NOT for sale.

At the same time we were researching items for the Monopoly Game, we discovered AMC’s historical drama entitled: Turn: Washington’s Spies. It is based on the book written by Alexander Rose about the real Culper Spy Ring and how they helped General Washington get intelligence that helped the Patriots win the war! Turn was filmed on-location in lovely Virginia - with Colonial Williamsburg stepping in as Philadelphia in the show. I'm in love with this place - more on that in a different post!

The pieces started to fall together and we thought it would be so great to combine places of interest from Hamilton and Turn: Washington's Spies for the ultimate Revolution Road trip. After a couple of weeks and a lot of Google Mapping - I created our two week itinerary. The dates were based on making sure we were in Setauket, Long Island for their annual Culper Spy Day! I was impressed to find out that a few of the places we visited were also featured in Hamilton's America: A Documentary Film that was aired on PBS.

Below is a screen capture of the trip I made using Google Maps. I could not have done this without it.

Day 1 - Saturday, July 16th: DRIVING Gainesville to Colonial Williamsburg - 11 hours
Day 2: Sunday, July 17th: Colonial Williamsburg
Day 3: Monday, July 18th: - Virginia Shirley Plantation (the Plantation is featured in Turn: Washington's Spies) and Yorktown Battlefield
Day 4: Tuesday, July 19th Virginia : Washington's Ferry Farm & Mt. Vernon
Day 5: Wednesday, July 20th:- Pennsylvania & New Jersey - Valley Forge, Washington Crossing Historic Park, Morristown National Historical Park, Hamilton/Schuyler House
Day 6: Thursday, July 21st: New York City: Hamilton Grange, Fraunces Tavern, Federal Hall, Trinity Church
Day 7: Friday, July 22nd: New York City: Museum of American Finance "The Room Where It Happened", Weehaukin Dueling Grounds, New York Historical Society
Day 8: Saturday, July 23rd - Setauket, New York: Culper Spy Day
Day 9: Sunday, July 24th - Plymouth, Mass: Pilgrim Museum, National Monument to the Forefathers
Day 10: Monday, July 25th - Boston: Freedom Trail, Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum
Day 11: Tuesday, July 26th - Lexington & Concord
Day 12: Wednesday, July 27th - Philadelphia: National Constitution Center, Independence Hall, Liberty Bell
Day 13: Thursday, July 28th - Annapolis, Maryland: State House- Washington Resigns
Day 14: Friday, July 29th -Start driving home - stop at Tuckahoe Plantation,Virginia (Turn: Washington's Spies used the house in filming)

Sharing this journey with my son, discovering together about our early American history was truly an incredible experience and by far the best family vacation I could ask for. I have to mention my sweet British husband, Stuart, he tagged along on this adventure and was just as interested and euthusastic about this trip as us. So much so - we went back to Virginia during the Christmas break.

I have to thank our National Parks Service for keeping these important historical places open and available to all of us to visit. They truly do an important service by maintaining our history. Without them - our history would be long forgotten! Do visit them!! Make it fun for your kids by making a game out of all the parks you can visit - they can even collect pins from each park. Aidan loved collecting pins from all the NPS parks on our trip. He has a lanyard filled with them. We now collect National Parks coins.

I’m going to share each day of our trip as a separate blog post. I'll share our pictures and thoughts about what we experienced and some tips to make your trip easy. I hope that families think about visiting these places with their children this summer. Please leave your comments below and I will do my best to answer.

We did make a beautiful book of our trip I created on Blurb but it is way too expensive to sell. I would love to publish it but have no idea a cost effective way to do it. Maybe someone can contact me with some suggestions - or if there are any book companies that are interested - feel free to contact!