Inside the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site Visitor Center
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Visitor Center at Andrew Johnson National Historic Site is open daily from 9 AM to 4 PM, except when closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Though the Visitor Center is located in downtown Greeneville, Tennessee, there is a parking lot specifically for the building, so you do not have to park on the street. Once you are in Greeneville there are plenty of road signs pointing the way to the park—you can get there without a map or GPS as long as you can get to Greeneville.
AMENITIES
- Ranger-staffed information desk where you can ask questions, pick up a free park brochure, and inquire about Johnson Homestead House tours.
- Gift and bookstore
- Small exhibit area
- Park film
- Restrooms
PARK FILM
A 14-minute film on the life of Andrew Johnson shows on demand—just ask the Ranger to start it for you. While the film does discuss the early years of Johnson’s life, the main focus is on his term as president and his impeachment trial. I highly recommend watching the film before taking the Homestead tour so that you have a clue about what the tour guide is talking about. There is no objectionable material, so the film is suitable for all ages.
EXHIBIT AREA
Andrew Johnson personal items and memorabilia
A small exhibit area is comprised mainly of information panels that give a blow-by-blow account of Johnson’s term as president after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, including his impeachment hearings. The panels are put together in an easy to follow chronological order, and they are a perfect way to get up to speed on Johnson and his stint as president. At the end, you can cast your vote for or against Johnson’s removal from office. The information panels do not cover his personal life, as those topics are the focus of the other attractions in the park—his tailor shop, his first house in Greeneville, and his second house located on Main Street.
Guilty or Not Guilty?
There are a few artifacts housed in a glass display case. Items include tickets to the impeachment hearings, Johnson’s walking stick, and a stamping board he used in the White House.
Stamping board used by Johnson in the White House and other memorabilia
SCHEDULING YOUR TIME
I realize that most people do not want to read all of the information in a museum, but in this case, I highly recommend doing so unless you are well versed on the history of Andrew Johnson. You can read everything in twenty minutes. And as I mentioned earlier, be sure to watch the park film as well. While most of it covers the same materials as the exhibits, the film does talk about his childhood years and his initial foray into politics. All in all, plan to spend about a half hour at the Visitor Center.
Last updated on March 9, 2020
