As we continue our study of Tennessee history, we are enjoying a quick family trip to some of the easternmost and earliest settlements in Tennessee. This evening, the WISH Team checked into the historic General Morgan Inn in Greeneville, TN.

www.generalmorganinn.com

Monday, November 14, 2011 –
 
Our first stop this morning was a visit to the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site. Andrew Johnson was our 17th President who assumed the Presidency when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. Andrew Johnson moved to Greeneville, TN from North Carolina when he was just a teenager. He opened a tailor shop around 1830 and used his tailor shop as a place to begin building his reputation as a skilled debater and politician.

Thankfully, Andrew Johnson’s tailor shop was preserved during the 1920’s when the State of Tennessee decided to build a brick structure over it exactly where it stood. Even the floor was added around the structure without disturbing the chimney.

Andrew Johnson’s descendants continued to live in Greeneville and worked hard to preserve and protect his legacy. Many of Johnson’s personal items are on display because his family recognized their value and protected them in order to pass them on to future generations.

Chloe enjoyed dressing up in clothing typical of the mid-1800s.
 

Johnson’s home during his early years in Greeneville is just across the street from his tailor shop. Johnson was not a man of great wealth at any time in his life; but especially early in his life, prior to his political career, Johnson’s simple house indicates an economical lifestyle.

The Greeneville area was known as an area of strong Union sympathy even during the period of secession during the Civil War. Andrew Johnson reflected this same feeling when he became the only U.S. Senator from a seceded state to remain in office. Johnson’s deep respect for the U.S. Constitution prevented him from supporting secession.

Greeneville is a beautiful small town with a lot of pride in it’s history.

Just a few blocks down Main Street from his Tailor Shop is the house and “grounds” (more like a large yard) that the Johnson family would call their home for several generations until the property was donated to the National Park Service for preservation.

All of the items used to furnish the home as well as all of the items on display are original to the Johnson family, including this top hat which was worn by Andrew Johnson himself.
 

This was a gift from France. It contained 40 pounds of chocolate candy.
 

“Andrew Johnson the old traitor”

During the Civil War, Greeneville was occupied by Confederate soldiers. Since Andrew Johnson was a U.S. Senator and then later military governor of Tennessee, the Johnson homestead was occupied by Confederate forces for the duration of the war and then vacant for sometime thereafter. After 1869, Johnson returned to his home in Greeneville to find the house in terrible disrepair and graffiti like this on the walls.

The NPS tour guide explains some of the repairs and renovations that Johnson’s oldest daughter oversaw in preparation for the family’s return from Washington, D.C. in 1869.
 

We enjoyed lunch at a cafe called The Tannery. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As you might have guessed, it was originally a leather tannery.
 

Look at those beautiful, happy, perfect children. They must have great parents.
 

Even though our driver had a tendency to get us lost, we were able to see some of the beautiful countryside along the way.
 

After seeing what is perhaps the smallest state park in existence, we visited Jonesborough, TN which is the oldest town in Tennessee and is recognized internationally as the storytelling capital of the world.

“This place is full of CANDY!”
 

“Cute and pink. Just like me.”
 

As quaint and gentle as Jonesborough appears to be, every small town is bound to harbor a few kooks.
 

This dog has a confused look for a good reason. Cole and Clark are barking at him. If you look closely, you can almost see what he’s thinking. “Uh, something is not quite right with those two.” Yes, big dog, you are correct.

Davy Crockett himself welcomed us with true pioneer hospitality.

“Ya’ll better watch it or I’ll do to you what I did to that bear when I was just a kid.” Yikes!

And then another “Yikes!”

 

Cole was bored so he decided to entertain us in our hotel room after an eventful day.

This was the view from our room at the General Morgan Inn.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011 –
 
Today was much less hectic than yesterday. Our plans were to see some mountains, see some beans, eat some beans, and go home.

We drove from Greeneville through the mountains to Hot Springs, NC. It was a beautiful drive.

The WISH Team enjoyed a brief “hike” along the Appalachian Trail.

What I said was “Look, Bush beans.” I’m not sure what they thought I said. Kids?!

This conversation went something like this:
 
Hostess: Ma’am, are those your children?
Anna: Yes. Is everything alright?
Hostess: The two younger ones pushing on the can are fine. And really cute. It’s the big one I’m worried about.
Anna: **Sighs** What now?
Hostess: Does he get out much?
Anna: Obviously not!