Planning Your Visit
PLAN YOUR VISIT
The Andrew Johnson National Historic Site is comprised of four units:
The Visitor Center
The Visitor Center is the contact station for visitor information, brochures, and directions. The Visitor Center also houses the site's orientation film, museum, Andrew Johnson's original Tailor Shop, and Eastern National bookstore.
Early Home
An early Andrew Johnson home is open on the first level and basement. Inside the home is information pertaining to Andrew Johnson's early life and his entrance into the political world. There is a family photo album and timeline of national events as they related to Andrew Johnson's life.
The Homestead
Andrew Johnson owned this home for twenty-four years, both before and after his presidency. During the Civil War, soldiers occupied the house and left it in a state of disrepair. The family renovated the home following their return home from Washington, and it is now filled with much of the original family memorabilia. Guided tours are available daily. More...
The Cemetery
Andrew Johnson and his family are buried at the crest of Monument Hill. The cemetery continues today as a burial ground for the nation's veterans.
Getting Around
There is no public transportation at the site.
National Park Service signs are posted along major routes to direct you to the Visitor Center. If you need assistance with navigation once you arrive, ask the Visitor Center employee for maps to direct you to each area of the site, or to routes in and out of town.
If you need additional assistance before you arrive, please feel free to call the Visitor Center at 423-638-3551.
Accessibility
Visitor Center
The Visitor Center, Museum, Memorial Building, and restrooms are accessible. The site orientation film can be shown in closed captioning upon request. An on-site braille brochure is available at the Visitor Center.
Early Home
An elevator is available for access to the first floor of the Early Home.
Homestead
The Homestead is not accessible. In some cases, the kitchen and the first floor may be viewable to those with assistance. A photo tour notebook is available at the Visitor Center and Homestead, and a video tour of the Homestead is available upon request at the Visitor Center.
Cemetery and Administrative Offices
The Cemetery and the first floor of the Administrative Offices are accessible.
Alcohol Policy
No alcoholic beverages are permitted on site.
Nearby Attractions
Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association
For more information about the East Tennessee area, visit www.netta.com. This site contains a Visitor's Guide, CVB/Tourism Agencies, Map and Regional Information, Events, and a Photo Gallery.
Things To Know Before You Come
Tours
Guided tours are available for the Homestead. Tour times are 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30. Visitors may acquire tickets from the Visitor Center until 15 minutes before the time of the tour. Tickets are not available after this 15 minute cut off. This limit has been initiated to enable the guide and the visitors to reach the Homestead safely, and for the guide to ready the Homestead for the tour.
Tours of the Homestead require standing, walking, and negotiating three flights of stairs. There are no public facilities at the Homestead. In the summer and winter, visitors should be advised that over half the rooms have outside porch entrances and that they should dress accordingly. Temperatures fluctuate and can be extreme during the summer and winter months.
Parking
Parking is available at the Visitor Center, the Homestead, the Administrative Offices, and at the President's gravesite on the crest of Monument Hill.
Operating Hours & Seasons
The Andrew Johnson National Historic Site is open from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. The National Cemetery will remain open on these days from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The National Cemetery will also remain open until 7:00 p.m. on Memorial Day.
Pets
Pets, with the exception of those trained to assist disabled persons, are not allowed in park structures such as the Visitor Center, Early Home, Museum, or Homestead.
Pets on leashes are allowed on the Homestead grounds, as well as on roadways and sidewalks of the National Cemetery
Fees & Reservations
Fees:
There are no fees charged at the park. Donations are accepted.
Reservations:
Reservations are required for the Homestead tour only. Tours are given daily at 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30 on a first-come, first-served basis. Tours are limited to 12.
Make your reservation at the Visitor Center desk no later than 15 minutes prior to the time of the tour.
Schools or groups with numbers larger than 12 should call the Visitor Center at 423-638-3551 to make arrangements with staff.
Directions
Getting There:
Plane
The closest airport is the Tri-Cities Regional Airport, 43 miles northeast of Greeneville. From the airport, take I-81 South to exit 36 and follow the signs to Greeneville.
Car
From I-81S take exit 36 to Rt. 172 south to Greeneville. Follow the signs to the Visitor Center.
From I-81N take exit 23 to Rt. 11E north to Greeneville. Follow the signs to the Visitor Center.
The Andrew Johnson Visitor Center is located on the corner of College and Depot Streets in historic downtown Greeneville, TN.
Public Transportation
There is no public transportation available to the site.
NEWS
The bicentennial of Andrew Johnson's birth will be December 29, 2008. The community-wide celebration will take place throughout the entire calendar year of 2008.
Planned events include:
Presentation begins at 2:00 p.m.
For more information call 423-636-7348 or write gcollins@tusculum.edu or Museums of Tusculum College, Box 5026, Greeneville, TN 37743
For more information visit http://www.battleofbluesprings.com/
For more information contact 423-639-3711.
Program begins at 12:00 noon.
Contact: Carlos Whaley, Co-Chair, 423-620-7483, or email cwhaleysr@msn.com to schedule the presentation for your group.
Return to this page throughout the 2008 Bicentennial year for updates on activities.
Events that have already taken place include:
The Journal of East Tennessee History LeRoy Fitch: The Civil War Career of a Union River Gunboat Commander7:00 pm, Niswonger Commons - Chalmers Conference Center - Tusculum College.
News Releases
Andrew Johnson
News Release
March 4, 2008
Lizzie Watts 423-639-3711
"Passport to Your National Parks" Photo Contest Winners Announced
Greeneville TN; The winners for the Eastern National Passport Photo program have been announced, and the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site has placed first for the Southeast Region of the National Park Service.
Eastern National and the National Park Service (NPS) first introduced the Passport Program in 1986. The Passport To Your National Parks® book is a 104-page booklet designed to be a travel companion for park visitors. The pocket-sized guide contains full-color maps and photographs, a national park list, and interesting facts about America's national parks. The Passport Explorer Edition introduced in 2006 has 170 pages and features a sturdy weatherproof portfolio with a durable inside binder and lots of pockets for national park collectibles and personal items. National park visitors can collect annual commemorative stamps and rubber-stamp ink cancellations inside both Passport books.
Each year, Eastern National holds a contest for NPS employees and Volunteers-in-Parks to select ten images (one national and ten regional) for the collectible Passport commemorative stamp set. The stamps are distributed on a single perforated sheet and can be detached and placed in designated sections of the Passport books.
The prize-winning photograph for the Andrew Johnson NHS was taken by Museum Technician Kendra Hinkle, an employee of the site. The subject of the photograph is the monument over the gravesite of President Andrew Johnson, taken on an October morning when a rainbow arched overhead in the sky. The honor of placing first coincides with the Bicentennial of Andrew Johnson's birth. The interpretive text reads:
Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Greeneville, Tennessee, will celebrate the bicentennial of the 17th President's birth throughout 2008. Andrew Johnson is known for his belief in the Constitution, the Union, and the common man. His eagle-topped obelisk reads, "His Faith in the People Never Wavered."
The 2008 stamp set will be available by March 7, 2008, and can be purchased online at www.eParks.com; by calling (877) NAT-PARK (877-628-7275; or by visiting the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site and other participating National Parks. The Passport to your National Parks book ®, the Passport Explorer Edition and commemorative stamp sets from previous years (1986 through 2007) are also available.
The Andrew Johnson National Historic Site Visitor Center is located on the corner of College and Depot Streets, and is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
END
Andrew Johnson In Depth
News from the Parks
Colorado Section of Vast Bike Network is 1,000 Miles
January 5, 2009 - 12:43pm
More than 1,000 miles of the 50,000-mile bikeway being spliced together throughout North American lies in Colorado. The Colorado portion is part of the Great Parks section, which includes 2,518 miles from Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, to Mesa Verde National Park outside of Durango.
January 5, 2009 - 12:43pm
More than 1,000 miles of the 50,000-mile bikeway being spliced together throughout North American lies in Colorado. The Colorado portion is part of the Great Parks section, which includes 2,518 miles from Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, to Mesa Verde National Park outside of Durango.
Ranchers Oppose Yellowstone Bison Relocation
January 5, 2009 - 12:32pm
Ranchers are voicing concern about plans to relocate some Yellowstone Park bison to Indian reservations in Montana and Wyoming. The ranchers are worried about the animals' history of carrying brucellosis, a disease that causes domestic cows to miscarry.
January 5, 2009 - 12:32pm
Ranchers are voicing concern about plans to relocate some Yellowstone Park bison to Indian reservations in Montana and Wyoming. The ranchers are worried about the animals' history of carrying brucellosis, a disease that causes domestic cows to miscarry.
A Trip to Yosemite National Park via YARTS is a Must for Valley Residents
January 5, 2009 - 12:31pm
The YARTS bus sped up Highway 140 from Merced into the foothills. It passed Mariposa and stopped at the entrance to Yosemite National Park. A sign read, “Chains required.” The driver parked, and deftly fitted the chains over the tires. A horde of enthused travelers lined up outside the bus, but there were no more seats. Instead of turning them away, the kindly driver allowed them to board the bus and stand in the aisle for the remaining 13 miles of the trip.
January 5, 2009 - 12:31pm
The YARTS bus sped up Highway 140 from Merced into the foothills. It passed Mariposa and stopped at the entrance to Yosemite National Park. A sign read, “Chains required.” The driver parked, and deftly fitted the chains over the tires. A horde of enthused travelers lined up outside the bus, but there were no more seats. Instead of turning them away, the kindly driver allowed them to board the bus and stand in the aisle for the remaining 13 miles of the trip.
Nene Killed on the Road in Haleakala National Park
January 5, 2009 - 12:21pm
An adult nene was killed on the road at Haleakala National Park on Dec. 28. Motorists traveling to the park are asked to drive slowly and cautiously. Visitors reported the dead nene to Visitor Use Assistant Tony Manion at 7:30 a.m. Park Ranger Chad Riggin retrieved the dead nene from the road near mile marker 16.
January 5, 2009 - 12:21pm
An adult nene was killed on the road at Haleakala National Park on Dec. 28. Motorists traveling to the park are asked to drive slowly and cautiously. Visitors reported the dead nene to Visitor Use Assistant Tony Manion at 7:30 a.m. Park Ranger Chad Riggin retrieved the dead nene from the road near mile marker 16.
Life's a Beach: U.S. Virgin Islands are Calling You
January 5, 2009 - 12:19pm
Don't just sit there. Pick a destination and plan a vacation, maybe to someplace a little exotic, where national parks come with tropical beaches, and boats rather than big RVs are a common mode of transportation. You can enjoy all that without fretting over currency exchange rates or making sure that your passport is up to date if you head to a little paradise called the U.S. Virgin Islands.
January 5, 2009 - 12:19pm
Don't just sit there. Pick a destination and plan a vacation, maybe to someplace a little exotic, where national parks come with tropical beaches, and boats rather than big RVs are a common mode of transportation. You can enjoy all that without fretting over currency exchange rates or making sure that your passport is up to date if you head to a little paradise called the U.S. Virgin Islands.
