Andrew Jackson and his Legacy

Born 250 years ago this month, Andrew Jackson remains one of Tennessee's best known and most polarizing political figures. The former United States president is celebrated for his popularity with common folk and his military skills, but reviled for his uneven temperament and his troubling relations with Native Americans.

To commemorate his birthday, the Tennessee State Library & Archives will soon be launching a new online exhibit highlighting documents from Jackson's life and career. And on April 1, the two Library & Archives staff members who curated the exhibit will host a free workshop to discuss the exhibit.

The workshop, titled "Andrew Jackson and his Legacy," will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. on that day in the auditorium of the Library & Archives building, which is located at 403 Seventh Avenue North in downtown Nashville.

Assistant State Archivist Wayne Moore and Archivist Zachary Keith will talk about the collections of Jackson's papers available at the Library & Archives, which include a version of the only known photograph of Jackson, personal letters, original maps from the War of 1812, political cartoons, campaign broadsides, engravings and lithographs. The Library & Archives also has papers from some of Jackson's chief associates, including John Overton, John Coffee, James Winchester, William Carroll and William B. Lewis.

During their presentation, Moore and Keith will discuss topics ranging from Jackson's family life with his wife Rachel and their adopted children to Jackson's duels with rivals to his management of his plantation to his military and political exploits.

Although the event is free and open to the public, reservations are required because of seating limitations in the Library & Archives auditorium. To register for the event, please use this online link:

The Library & Archives building is located directly west of the Tennessee State Capitol building. Free parking is available around the building on Saturdays.