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Media Contact: Jason Nelson Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage: Home of the People’s President (615) 889-2941, ext. 223 [email protected]

The Hermitage Marks Battle of New Orleans Anniversary Jan. 8 With Free Admission

HERMITAGE, Tenn. (Jan. 6, 2017) – In recognition of the 202nd anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans, Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage will host a day of free events on Sunday, Jan. 8.

As part of the day’s events there will be a ceremonial wreath laying at Andrew Jackson’s tomb at 2 p.m. at The Hermitage. U.S. Representative Phil Roe will be the keynote speaker. Congressman Roe is the current occupant of the Andrew Jackson seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Linda Tripp, President of the Tennessee Chapter of the United States Daughters of 1812 also will make comments. The Master of Ceremonies for the wreath-laying will be Vice Regent of the Andrew Jackson Foundation and CedarStone Bank President Bob McDonald. The Tennessee National Guard will provide the color guard and some of the music for the annual ceremony.

“The Battle of New Orleans was once celebrated much like how we celebrate July 4th. We open our doors to the public for free every year on Jan. 8 to remind everyone why.” said Howard Kittell, CEO of Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage.

The January 8th event commemorates General Andrew Jackson’s decisive victory over the mighty British army at the Battle of New Orleans, the last major battle of the War of 1812. Jackson’s stunning victory with 5,530 American troops against a seasoned British force of nearly 10,100 secured New Orleans and the Mississippi Valley from British control, allowed for westward settlement and economic development on the lands west of the Allegheny Mountains, revitalized American’s faith in their country’s future, and made Jackson a national hero. The victory also raised the status of the fledgling United States in the eyes of European powers who had seen the county as not much more than a temporary experiment in self-government. The victory eventually led to Jackson becoming the 7th president of the United States.

The annual Hermitage commemoration of the Jackson-led U.S. victory over British troops is a tradition dating back to the 1890s.

In addition to touring The Hermitage, visitors can also visit the Andrew Jackson: Born for a Storm exhibit, which covers 4,200 square feet and includes significant Jackson artifacts from The Hermitage collection, such as Andrew Jackson’s presidential carriage and a gold presentation box given to Jackson for his victory in the Battle of New Orleans. A special section is dedicated to Jackson’s historic victory in the battle, and visitors can relive the war story through interactive maps and graphics detailing his ragtag army’s defeat of a highly trained and experienced British force. A major piece of the exhibit covers the Age of Jackson, including his campaigns for president and policies that defined his administration, such as his battles with Congress, war against the banks and Native American removal.

Jan. 8 Schedule

General Jackson’s Militia Men Hear about soldiers’ lives during the War of 1812 and what it was like to join Jackson’s forces at New Orleans. Noon–4 p.m.

Kids’ Crafts and Activities Stop by the Education building to warm up with 19th-century games and craft activities for kids. Noon–4 p.m.

Book Signings Stop by the Gift Shop to meet authors of two new books. Anne Byrn, “American Cake” Dave Dietrich and Debbie Brown, “Sleep Tight Nashville” 2–4 p.m.

Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Jackson’s Tomb Join us for the annual wreath-laying ceremony at the tomb of General Andrew Jackson, featuring the Tennessee National Guard and keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn. Roe holds the Andrew Jackson seat in Congress. 2 p.m.

Complimentary Hot Cocoa Receive a cup of free hot cocoa at the conclusion of the wreath-laying ceremony while supplies last. 3 p.m.

About the Battle of New Orleans On the foggy morning of Jan. 8, 1815, at a place that has come to be known as Chalmette Battlefield just downriver from New Orleans, General Andrew Jackson led a ragtag army of Americans to a stunning victory over the highly trained British forces at the Battle of New Orleans. It was the final major battle in the War of 1812. The battle lasted less than 30 minutes, and the result changed America and stunned the world. By the time the smoke had cleared, the British had sustained 2,000 killed, wounded, missing or captured. Jackson’s own losses were only 71. It was the most lopsided defeat ever suffered by a British army. The battle changed how both Americans and Europeans thought about the United States’ experiment in self-government, branded Andrew Jackson as an American military hero, and served as the springboard for Jackson’s eventual election to the U.S. presidency in 1828. Each year on Jan. 8, The Hermitage commemorates the anniversary of this American victory with public programs for children and adults and offers free admission to the public. About The Hermitage Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage: Home of the People’s President is one of the largest, most well- preserved and most visited presidential homes in the United States. Opened to the public in 1889, The Hermitage is one of America’s first presidential museums. Today, The Hermitage is a 1,120- acre National Historic Landmark with 27 historic buildings, including Jackson’s mansion and tomb, restored slave cabins, a church, and gardens. In recent years, new interpretive initiatives and educational programs such as archaeology and the history of slavery have enhanced the experience of more than 180,000 annual visitors. In 2015, The Hermitage launched Andrew Jackson: Born for a Storm, a state-of-the-art exhibit that delves into the life of Andrew Jackson, including his military and presidential careers. For more information, visit www.thehermitage.com. ###