After years of diligent searching and archaeological exploration, The Hermitage, the former estate of President Andrew Jackson located near Nashville, Tennessee, has unveiled what many believe to be the graves of enslaved people who lived and worked on the property. This significant discovery of 28 graves marks the culmination of efforts to locate and honor the lives of those who were enslaved at the site.
During a private tour of the 1,000-acre estate, Tony Guzzi, the Chief of Preservation and Site Operations at The Hermitage, shared insights about the area where these individuals toiled. Guzzi noted, "This is the field corridor, and this is where most of the slaves who worked as field hands lived." He elaborated on how at its peak, 170 enslaved people were known to reside on the property shortly after Jackson's death.
According to historical records, many of the enslaved on the estate lived there well until the conclusion of the Civil War. Guzzi pointed out, "We know from our records there were 26 deaths recorded." It has been revealed through years of exploration, historical documentation, and collective local memory, how deeply entrenched the narrative of slavery is within the fabric of The Hermitage.
The location of the cemetery, determined through archaeological scrutiny and expertise, sits within a 0.83-acre site of the estate. The area had been completely overrun with growth, making the search for the cemetery particularly arduous. The turning point came when archaeologists uncovered two strangely positioned pieces of limestone, which initially led to speculation they served as makeshift headstones for the deceased. Ground-penetration radar was then employed, providing compelling evidence of potential graves lurked beneath the surface.
Guzzi articulated the weight of this discovery for all involved. "This site here really connects you to the fact slavery was real, it was real at The Hermitage, and this is the place where those who died here were buried," he stated, capturing the emotional resonance entwined in the unearthing of this cemetery. This finding is monumental not merely for its historical significance but for the communal recognition of the harsh realities faced by enslaved people.
To refine their efforts on how best to honor those interred at the cemetery, the Andrew Jackson Foundation has constituted an advisory board formed, significantly, of descendants of enslaved people who were integral to the property’s history. State Senator Heidi Campbell weighed on this initiative, emphasizing the importance of confronting the past with honesty. She solemnly remarked, "This work is especially significant as backward efforts to censor honest history lessons and restrict diverse perspectives continue to grow. Attempts to whitewash our past do a disservice to Tennesseans who deserve to understand the complex nature of our history."
The site has already opened its doors to visitors, with December 11 marking the first day of public access. To add significance to the experience, the location where the graves lie has been secured with fencing to preserve its sanctity and respect those buried there. Beginning December 16, organized tours will incorporate visits to the cemetery, allowing attendees to participate significantly and personally in the acknowledgment of the previously obscured narrative of the enslaved people at The Hermitage.
This cemetery's excavation reestablishes, for many, the need to face uncomfortable truths about the nation's history, especially as discussions surrounding the teaching of slavery become increasingly contentious. The Hermitage's recent development symbolizes more than unearthing physical graves; it rekindles dialogues around acknowledgment, remembrance, and the importance of preserving history with integrity.
This initiative, reflecting both memorialization and education, provides a grounding point for visitors to gain insights from the lives lost to the oppressive structure of slavery. It stands as an invitation to explore the forgotten stories of the past tied to one of America’s foundational figures.
Despite the often-painful history associated with slavery, this discovery fosters hope as it aims to reposition the legacy of The Hermitage within the complicated narrative of American history. This endeavor seeks not just to highlight injustices but to finally pay respect to the lives behind those injustices, ensuring their stories can echo through time.
