The Andrew Johnson Museum

The town of Greeneville, Tennessee contains many historic locations including the homestead of the 17th President of The United States   . . . 

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A Look at the Life of an American President

​The small-town vibes of Greeneville, Tennessee would not normally lead one to believe that it holds such a nationally important history; however, all throughout the downtown area there are a multitude of structures linked to The Seventeenth President of The United States of America. Along these streets the visitor can stroll down a historic path that helps to reconstruct the life and times of Andrew Johnson. 

I recommend you start at the visitor center to check out the museum and catch up with a history lesson depicting Johnson's fascinating life. Here you will also be given a map of the area to assist in exploring in the footsteps of a man on his way into the history books.

​​You are now ready to hit the town!

Born in a two-room shack in Raleigh, North Carolina, Andrew Johnson (1808-1875) endured a childhood of poverty before later establishing himself as the historic figure we now know. Working as servants, his parents were illiterate and could not provide a proper education for their children. At the age of ten, young Andrew took an apprenticeship with a tailor, and began to learn the trade that would lead him down a pathway to success. 

Replica of Childhood Home

In his teens, Johnson left North Carolina and stayed briefly in South Carolina. Eventually, he would be heading westward across the mountains to Tennessee, at times traveling on foot. It was in the town of Greeneville that he would settle down for the chance to begin that career as a tailor, this time in his very own shop. That cabin where Johnson would conduct business can now be found protectively housed inside the museum.

Original Greeneville Homestead

Tailor Shop

Many of these buildings in downtown Greeneville can be explored as you learn all about the life and times of an American president. The visitor center houses the old tailor shop where Andrew would make his living while beginning the path to politics. During his lifetime Johnson would play many roles in government. He served as a mayor, a senator, and a state representative before he would eventually become governor of Tennessee. ​

The Larger Homestead

Johnson would soon outgrow his original residence only to relocate a couple of blocks away. This much larger house is open for tours, and several rooms offer an example of the daily comforts that a person of his status may have enjoyed in that time period. During visiting hours, a member of the National Parks Service will be on duty to answer any questions you may have. 

On the bottom floor you will find the kitchen with adjoining rooms. These were the slave quarters. In the 1840s Andrew Johnson purchased a pair of young siblings, Sam and Dolly. By the end of the 1850s he had acquired another youth named Henry who would later become an important figure of his own.

By the end summer in 1863, Johnson had freed all his slaves as a new chapter in American history was beginning to unfold. Each agreed to stay and continue their work, this time with pay. Sam would eventually be granted the land which he had previously tended. In 1864 Henry accompanied Andrew Johnson to Washington D.C. Here he experienced a different kind of service while gaining a close and personal look at the inner workings of the nation's capital. 

Even throughout the formation of The Confederate States of America, Johnson continued to hold his seat in the senate as well as his close ties with the federal government, which would ultimately lead to Lincoln selecting him as a running mate in the 1864 election. Together they would be running under the title National Union Party in an effort to mend ties between political and geographic parties. This would be Johnson's ticket to The White House where he would become president after Lincoln's assassination. ​

President Johnson began the reconstruction phase after The Civil War on his own before congress would convene later that year. One of his first actions during this time was to give pardons to all who would renew their allegiance to The United States. This led to many people previously involved in government regaining their positions which would anger congress and ultimately lead to Johnson's impeachment. He was acquitted by one vote. There is an exhibit inside the museum that walks you through these events and then allows you to cast your vote to impeach or not. 

Exhibits in the Museum

After serving as President, Johnson returned to Greeneville, Tennessee. Andrew lived out the rest of his years in the home we just visited. In late July of 1875 he suffered a series of strokes while making a trip to Ohio. This untimely medical emergency ultimately led to his death a couple of days later at the age of 66. 

From simple beginnings to an impressive career in politics, Andrew Johnson seemed to be quite a busy person in life. It is now time to pay respects at the final resting place for an often overlooked figure in American history. The Andrew Johnson National Cemetery sits on a hilltop in downtown Greeneville, Tennessee. It is here that you will find him, in the very neighborhood where much of his life was centered. 

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If you like American History, check out my
guide to Washington D.C.