Nashville is Not All Country Music

by Phil Rowe

Prologue --- Though our main reason for visiting Nashville was a wedding, we managed to see much of the area. It is scenic and most attractive.

Saturday morning we drove in to the downtown area to see the state capitol building. We arrived after 8:30 because our AAA guidebook indicated the place would be open after 8:00 for public tours. All doors appeared to be locked but we found a small ground level service door that was open, discovering upon entry that a security guard awaited us. He said that the building was not open on weekends, despite what our AAA booklet said. But with true southern hospitality he made an exception for us and proceeded to give us a personal guided tour. We went into several areas while he explained the features and answered my questions. He was quite well-informed. But mostly he was kind and friendly, making our visit very special.

We stopped for morning coffee at a MacDonalds fast-food place on our way out of town, enroute to tour the home of President Jackson, The Hermitage. The restaurant is the first of the type we've seen in art-deco style, complete with a gift shop and small museum (in early radio days theme).

The visit to the Hermitage was well worth the 10-mile side trip and the time. Even the 90-degree heat with exceedingly high humidity failed to deter our walking the grounds, waiting in line to see various features, or enjoying the formal gardens. The only part that disappointed us was the brevity inside the homestead, the main house. Tourists get an escorted tour through the hallways, but all display rooms are partitioned off with plate glass. We were impressed by the elegance of the house, but the ten minute tour was much too brief and hurried.

A large visitors' center greets arriving tourists. It features a museum, gift shop, cafe and theater. Tours begin with a short movie about Jackson, his career and the Hermitage. The whole place is managed by a private historical foundation. They appear to have done a fine job, for the restorations are very impressive, the grounds beautifully cared for and the entire operation professionally run. We were impressed and happy to have included the Hermitage on our Nashville itinerary.