The President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library is the official
presidential library. First elected a Greeneville alderman in 1829 and
mayor in 1834, Johnson quickly progressed up the political ladder to
state legislator and senator. In Washington, he served for 10 years in
the House of Representatives. After 2 terms as Governor of Tennessee,
Johnson was elected to the US Senate in 1857. President Abraham Lincoln
choose Johnson as his running mate in 1864. Johnson became the 17th
President of the United States upon the assassination of Lincoln on
April 15, 1865. He tried to implement Lincoln's plan for reconciliation
with the southern states but was unsuccessful. Upon completion of his
term in 1869 he returned to Greeneville. In 1874 Tennessee once again
elected him to the US Senate, where he died in office July 31, 1875.
The President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library collection includes original Johnson family papers, books and artifacts, as well as Johnson papers on microfilm from other libraries across the country. The collection is located in the oldest academic building on the campus of Tusculum College, where Johnson served as a Trustee from 1844 to 1875. According to college records, Johnson gave $20 toward the $4,000 total construction cost of the building. The building also houses the college's original library and archives and Museum Studies program.
HOURS: Mon-Fri 9-5.
ADMISSION: Free.
DIRECTIONS: Located 68 miles northeast of Knoxville. Exit I-81 at US 11E toward Greeneville. Beyond Greeneville, turn right onto Route 107 and right onto Gilland St. The Museum and Library is on the left.