No, you're not immagining things thinking this home was seen while on my recent road trip. It was seen a few years back while on a New England venture with my fellow leaf peeping sister-in-laws. Since it included the home of a past President, I thought I would include it in this segment of my second day road trip to the southern states of Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas.
A few years ago and more recently, I've had the opportunity to visit a couple of President's homes. In the above photo we were passing by the home of President and Mrs. George H. W. Bush of Kinnebunkport, ME while traveling to reach our lodging motel for the night. It was close enough to the road open and unobstructed to get a feel of it's classic gray weathered wood style. I recognized an extended protruding room from the house with windows that allowed for amazing ocean views as well as the grassy knoll where the President stood just a week or so before while being interviewed by the Early Show on CBS. It was enriching to see their home in such an open setting visible to the public.Another pleasant country drive on another occasion revealed another such pleasure.
Campaign banner.
President Hayes was of the first to use the Presidential seal.
Notice his reveals the eagle's head facing the arrows exhibiting that America was at war.
The front door of the President and Mrs. Rutherford B. Hayes
Not far from my daughter and son-in-law's home is the spacious home and museum of President Rutherford B. Hayes in Freemont, OH. A drive heading north in the country and after a time, a sprawling grassy and treed setting with stacked stone half walls, tall, black, impressive iron gates structured of the time bearing the familiar eagle with 13 arrows in one tine and an olive branch in the and shield of the American flag stand open to welcome visitors. The grounds contain walking trails for those who seek exercise, solitude and quiet contemplation.
A view of the home while strolling the walking trails on the property.
President Hayes was known to walk every day for excercise and fresh air.
Frontal view of the home.
Front portico.
A brooch made as a gift for President, Hayes by his wife with four diamonds.
Can you imagine walking in his shoes? A lot of weight of the world is on their shoulders.
President and Mrs. Hayes crystal.
A gown worn by Mrs. Hayes.
And another. Exquisite detailed work and fine fabric.
Mrs. Hayes and children standing in the conservatory.
President and Mrs. Hayes are burried on site.
My recent southern route lent this rewarding experience.
An idylic lifestyle.
Monument in bronze of young Abe with his parents and sister.
Inspiring words. This reads:
"I happen, temporarily, to occupy the White House. I am a living witness
that any of your children may come here as my father's child has.
-ALincoln
A monument to honor President, Abraham Lincoln
Our American flag.
Graced with peace.
On display at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Museum.
We also enjoyed this experience of a different nature.
Front view of the Hermitage.
I don't know why the ladder is there.
Guides were dressed in costume of the time.
Notice the front of the home is white.
Back view of the home.
The third day of our road trip carried us to a time and genre when we could get a glimpse of the life and style of a working plantation for which slavery was a given, wealth and the chosen romantic ways of the heart were the desired subjects and needs were met with abundant generosity. The home of President, Andrew and Rachel Jackson and lovingly called the Hermitage. The home is in the National Register of Historic Places #66000722 and a National Historic Landmark.
A postcard of the entry hall at the Hermitage. The mural was painted in France and depicts one of Mrs. Jackson's favorite mythologies in literature.
It's impressionistic to be here and get a sense of the time. I, realize my own lean toward romanticsm.
I choose the beauty of nature and desire to think upon things that are good and lovely instead of lifes daily woes.
The art works for instance, are amongst my favorites as well.
Asher Durand - Adirondack Mountains, NY oil on canvas.
I love the Hudson River Valley's school in technique. It's known for "majestic vistas with glorious light and detail of nature's spiritually nurturing forces".
Lying on the bedside table of Mrs. Jackson is a book of poetry by Robert Burns 1759-1796 Ayrshire/Scotland that President gave to her in loving fondness of her.
He commissioned William Frost in 1819 to design and create an English garden for her to enjoy on a daily basis. It's filled abundantly with many old fragrant varieties that you would recognize in your garden nursery today.
Join us on a stroll through Rachel Donelson Jackson's lovely garden.
Peony
Columbine.
Herbs.
All border bricks were burned in a kiln at the Hermitage. They are beveled at the top and are longer and thicker than regurlar bricks which could be the reason I have to redo mine every year.
A very old tree.
There were crepe mertles (seen in the background), lilac, magnolia, old rose, hickory, peony, iris, columbine, fragrant herbs etc. planted in abundance around the perimeter of the garden.
Beyond the fense in the pasture cows were grazing. These were black on both ends and white in the middle and their breed is known as Belted Galloway.
My photos are poor but they serve to journal my travel. More amazing photos can be viewed on Flickr. of folks who have traveled the same site and posted their own experience. I love those of rbglasson and lauren252. Some day I hope to upgrade my camera and better my photo eye.
While here you can breathe in a breath and just imagine the aromas in the air at that time. This was a working plantation farm. Animals were housed close by, the smoke house slowly curred ham and other meats & wafed hypnotically smoke from it's chimney, the smells of bread baked in the summer kitchen and signaling an approaching meal, fragrance from the undeniably heavenly spring florals in bloom and the herbs that emmitted their own scents when brushed against with the hem of a dress and a not so distant singing of the slaves lement as they worked the field for their master. President Jackson was a knowledgably wealthy man with investments and land. Some 1700 acres are here. He created a successful plantation of abundant growth.
He also was the only President to pay off the national debt.
Approaching the Jackson family plot.
Upon the death of Mrs. Jackson, the President requested she be burried in her most loved garden and had a gazebo type monument made and placed above her grave as a marker.
President Jackson is burried beside her.
One slave willingly remained with President Jackson for the duration of his life. His final request was to be burried close to the President and was. He also took on the name of Jackson.
~
As the fresh new shoots sprout toward the sky and sun, may you look at them with appreciation for their beauty and as a source for good health and well being.
~
We then headed on to our resting stop for the night. The Magnolia House B & B in Franklin, TN.
It's owned and run by a kind and lovely lady named Robbie.
It's a quaint craftsman type bungalow with reminiscent touches of Victoriana in decor.
Accommodations were clean, comfortable and so very willing to please our need.
No vacation goes perfectly every minute of the time spent while on it. We encountered a transmission situation with the car grabbing at the tire. Early that morning I and Janice who went with me for moral support traveled about 1 1/2 miles to Moody's tire and service center to have it checked out. It was a little more than they could handle and they suggested a transmission service shop.
After an hour and a half, Janice and I returned to a delicious and beautifully prepared and presented breakfast of eggs benedict on delicate floral china, fresh fruit cup in crystal, a very tasty butter brickle bread, juice and coffee. A very nice retired couple across from us at the table requested tea as their morning beverage and it was sweetly served from a ceramic tea pot enclosed in an adorable tea cozy. The couple engaged us in polite conversation. Being a little pre-occupied with our car situation Robbie sensed our concern and offered her church as a potential parking spot. The gentleman of the couple was listening and offered a little information. He suggested to not take the car to a transmission service shop which could be costly, but to go directly to a dealership instead. We deciced to give it a try. Walker Chevrelet was located a couple of miles away. They saw that we girls were from out of state and put us on top of the service list. While inspecting the car the dealership gave us access to their shuttle and kindly took us into Franklin for our wait.
Beautiful churches.
Preserved and well cared for, Franklin is a charming town unique with cute shops and beautiful homes of many styles.
Greek Revival
Victorian
Federal in nature. I loved the natural gas light flame burning a flame at the front door.
Lovely in southern charm.
This section reminds me of our own Urbana or possible the prominent old section of Springfield where industrialists and investors once lived. The area in particular where the Frank Lloyd Wright home known as the Westcott House is located.
Frank Lloyd Wright home - Westcott House
Springfield, OH
1830 Carter House
Center of Civil War Battle of Franklin
With that in mind, it's almost time to get ready for a lunch invitation of my own. Please visit my blog again when a jam packed southern road trip continues with determination to a town outside of Little Rock, AR, the home of P. Allen Smith known as the Garden Home Retreat overlooking the beautiful Arkansas river.
*On special note, my heart goes out to the folks and families who parrished in the tornado that occurred north of Little Rock yesterday.
The weather is uncertain this time of year. At the moment the skies are dark and building to a storm and building wind. Stay alert, be aware and think of your day with safety in mind.
Love,
I'm crediting my research to :
~
Society of the Four Arts
exhibiting Hudson River School paintings
Palm Beach Daily News - The Shiny Sheet, April 27, 2011
featuring
Asher Durand
Adirondack Mountains, NY
15 1/4 X 23 3/4 oil on canvas
1 comment:
I recognize familiar places and remember beautiful Franklin well.
I toured The Hermitage on a very hot July day, two months before my eldest daughter was born in 1964. At that time the highway ran right in front of the home. The house was visible from the highway. We drove up the drive to the house. The present visitor/information center was not in existence then. We were by there after a trip to the Carolina's a couple of years ago. We were too early for the tour and did not have time to wait. It was interesting to see how things have changed in the past 45 years since my last visit.
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