A Potus Geek in Nashville
I'm in Nashville this weekend for a conference that I attend every year. The conference isn't always in Nashville (the location varies from year to year) but wherever it is, my habit is to immediately scope out all of the nearby 
potus_geeks attractions. In Nashville, I'm in potus_geeks heaven. This immediately became apparent when I checked in on Friday evening and learned that James K. Polk was at rest two blocks from my hotel room. My 14th floor room had a view of the Tennessee State Legislature and the trees beneath which the 11th President is now taking his rest. This city is also home of the Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson. I paid a visit there on Saturday afternoon and found a second President at rest. There is also a statue of Tennessee's other President, Andrew Johnson, located on the state house grounds. Finally, this weekend the Southern Festival of Books is taking place right out my window, across the street from my hotel. I stopped by and met Judge James L. Cotton Jr., the author of The Greatest Speech Ever: The Remarkable Story of Abraham Lincoln and his Gettysburg Address. He was a very interesting man, very passionate about his subject, and I now have a copy of the book autographed by the author as part of my potus_geeks library.
Behind the cut are some photos from my day.
1. This is the view from my hotel room window. The Tennessee State House is a block away. James K. Polk is at rest on the grounds to the right of the building. The tents are set up for the book festival.
2-4. On the east side of the state house grounds is this prominent statue of Andrew Jackson on horseback.
5-9. Also on the east side of the grounds, towards the back of the building, one finds the tomb of James K. Polk and first lady Sarah Childress Polk.
10-11. On the east side, closer to the front of the building is this statue of Tennessee's other native son, the 17th President, Andrew Johnson.
12. This is the book festival, under tents on a rainy day. The tall white building on the right is the hotel that I'm staying at.
13-15. That afternoon a group of five of us went to the Hemitage, the home of Andrew Jackson. Parts of the museum were closed, but we were able to watch a film about Jackson's life, tour parts of the museum as well as Jackson's mansion. Jackson's final resting place is on the Hermitage grounds, in the garden beside the mansion.
16. I was disappointed to find out that picture taking was not allowed inside the mansion. It is an impressive structure, especially considering its time. These Roman columns in front of the home are actually wooden, but resemble concrete pillars, even up close.
Today the plan is to drive to Columbia, Tennessee, less than an hour from here, and visit Polk House, home of James K. Polk and of his museum. Last time I was there (in 2007) they allowed picture taking, so hopefully I'll have some photos from there in tomorrow's post.
potus_geeks attractions. In Nashville, I'm in potus_geeks heaven. This immediately became apparent when I checked in on Friday evening and learned that James K. Polk was at rest two blocks from my hotel room. My 14th floor room had a view of the Tennessee State Legislature and the trees beneath which the 11th President is now taking his rest. This city is also home of the Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson. I paid a visit there on Saturday afternoon and found a second President at rest. There is also a statue of Tennessee's other President, Andrew Johnson, located on the state house grounds. Finally, this weekend the Southern Festival of Books is taking place right out my window, across the street from my hotel. I stopped by and met Judge James L. Cotton Jr., the author of The Greatest Speech Ever: The Remarkable Story of Abraham Lincoln and his Gettysburg Address. He was a very interesting man, very passionate about his subject, and I now have a copy of the book autographed by the author as part of my potus_geeks library. Behind the cut are some photos from my day.
1. This is the view from my hotel room window. The Tennessee State House is a block away. James K. Polk is at rest on the grounds to the right of the building. The tents are set up for the book festival.
2-4. On the east side of the state house grounds is this prominent statue of Andrew Jackson on horseback.
5-9. Also on the east side of the grounds, towards the back of the building, one finds the tomb of James K. Polk and first lady Sarah Childress Polk.
10-11. On the east side, closer to the front of the building is this statue of Tennessee's other native son, the 17th President, Andrew Johnson.
12. This is the book festival, under tents on a rainy day. The tall white building on the right is the hotel that I'm staying at.
13-15. That afternoon a group of five of us went to the Hemitage, the home of Andrew Jackson. Parts of the museum were closed, but we were able to watch a film about Jackson's life, tour parts of the museum as well as Jackson's mansion. Jackson's final resting place is on the Hermitage grounds, in the garden beside the mansion.
16. I was disappointed to find out that picture taking was not allowed inside the mansion. It is an impressive structure, especially considering its time. These Roman columns in front of the home are actually wooden, but resemble concrete pillars, even up close.
Today the plan is to drive to Columbia, Tennessee, less than an hour from here, and visit Polk House, home of James K. Polk and of his museum. Last time I was there (in 2007) they allowed picture taking, so hopefully I'll have some photos from there in tomorrow's post.