The Nursery
This room, used until 1955 as the museum for relics and papers, was at one time during the residence of the Jacksons the overseer’s room, at another the nursery.
The cherry cradle was made at the Hermitage for Andrew Jackson, Jr., and was purchased by the Association from a member of the family. The quilt on the cradle was made by Mrs. W. L. Nichol, neighbor and friend of the Jacksons, for her daughter, Julia Nichol More. Coverlet, given by Mrs. Minos Fletcher, Jr., and Paul Shwab. The bed and the rug are types used in that period. The chair, which was given by Mrs. D. W. Cantrell, belonging to a member of the Jackson family. The chest of drawers and the washstand were part of the original Hermitage furnishings, and the china toilet set, of the Jackson period, was presented by Mrs. Edgar Foster. The clock and the unique china candlesticks were also part of the Hermitage furnishings, and the thermometer was General Jackson’s.
The silver cup was presented by Martin Van Buren to his godson, Andrew Jackson, III, on the occasion of his christening at the White House. The portrait over the mantel, which was at the White House and also hung in the Hermitage nursery, is of the twin children of Marcus Talmage, of New York, namesakes of Andrew and Rachel Jackson. Presented by the Talmages. The French doll of 1830 was given to The Hermitage by the Dixie-Dollers Club.
The wooden hat box, which belonged to Jackson’s mother, Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson, was given by Mrs. Clara Hudgins Cowgill. The print of General Jackson is by Currier and Ives. One of the pictures is of Mrs. Lucius Polk and her son, William. As Mary Eastin, she spent much time at the White House with the Jacksons during her young ladyhood and was married there. The other picture is of Mary Eastin and Madame Pageot (daughter of Jackson’s close friend, Maj. Wm. B. Lewis) who was also one of the Jacksons’ favorites and was married there. Both pictures, made from portraits owned by the family of Mrs. Lucius E. Burch, were presented by Mrs. Burch. The small oil painting by the ten-year-old daughter of Peter G. Washington was a gift to Jackson during his presidency.