The Hermitage Unveils a $132 Million Plan for Its Next Century

Our neighbor down Old Hickory Boulevard is planning for the long haul. Andrew Jackson's Hermitage has announced a $132 million plan to remake the visitor experience across its 1,120-acre historic site, WSMV reports.

The concept, by the architecture firm Perkins&Will, puts the landscape first. It calls for a new tree-lined approach and re-routed walking paths meant to protect the historic views and tie visitors more closely to the land.

At the center of the plan is a new visitor and education center to replace the current building. That building opened in 1989, and the Hermitage says it can no longer meet the site's needs. The Hermitage cares for about 800,000 objects, but space limits mean only a fraction of them can be shown.

Most of the money is expected to come from private donations, along with some public support and grants. A state appropriation set aside for the Hermitage is paying for an initial $6 million project.

"We have an immense responsibility to preserve this place while making sure the story we tell reflects the full history of the people who lived, worked and were enslaved here," Andrew Jackson Foundation president and CEO Jason Zajac said. Gov. Bill Lee thanked the General Assembly for its partnership in the investment.

For Old Hickory, which traces its name to Jackson, the plan is worth watching. The Hermitage is a major draw for visitors to this end of the county.

Source: WSMV 4.