Cemetery for People Enslaved by Andrew Jackson Found on His Plantation

A cemetery where enslaved people were laid to rest has been found at The Hermitage, the former plantation of Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States.

This discovery sheds light on the lives—and deaths—of at least 28 enslaved individuals who lived and labored on the Tennessee estate.

For decades, the final resting place of many of the enslaved people who lived on the plantation was unknown. Historical records indicated that between 1804 and the Civil War, dozens of enslaved people perished at The Hermitage, but their burial site had faded from collective memory. On Wednesday, the Andrew Jackson Foundation announced they believe they have found the slave cemetery at The Hermitage, where evidence is hidden near a creek, about 1,000 feet from the mansion.

Uncovering a Forgotten History

The discovery was initiated by a 1930s agricultural report referencing untended land filled with graves and trees—an area unsuitable for cultivation. Guided by this clue and aided by an anonymous donor, archaeologist James Greene began the search late last year.

According to Greene, by using ground-penetrating radar, they pinpointed 28 graves arranged in neat rows, heads oriented westward in a sacred tradition. Only a few stone markers remain visible above the soil, and researchers believe more graves, including those of children, may be hidden beneath dense tree roots.

For Tony Guzzi, chief of preservation and site operations, finding the cemetery after all this time was exciting, but also solemn.

“For me, this is going to be a reflective space. A contemplative space,” Guzzi said to The Associated Press.

Jackson was one of a dozen early U.S. presidents who owned slaves and identifying their graves has been a priority at other presidential sites.

In addition, historians seek to tell a more inclusive story about the people enslaved as visitors of The Hermitage can see cabins where some enslaved people lived and learn about their daily lives. But the newly identified cemetery brings an emotional gravity to these narratives.

“The existing cabins are a museum space, but it can be hard to get a sense of what slavery was like,” Guzzi said. “This is a tangible connection that makes it more real for people.”

Next Steps in Commemoration

Starting next week, the site will be part of a free tour, though visitors will remain outside the fenced cemetery for now. Officials aim to create an inclusive memorialization process by consulting historians and descendants of those enslaved at The Hermitage.

Jason Zajac, president and CEO of the Andrew Jackson Foundation, emphasized the need for collaboration, saying, “Going forward, our belief is that we need to have other voices help us consider what is appropriate in terms of memorialization or commemoration and anything like that.”

Andrew Jackson enslaved more than 150 people by the time of his death in 1845. They not only worked the fields but also ran the mansion and practiced skilled trades like blacksmithing and carpentry.

“Besides the Jacksons, there was a large community of enslaved people here,” Guzzi said. “You can’t tell the story of The Hermitage without telling their story.”

With this rediscovery, The Hermitage is taking steps to ensure that the lives and legacies of the enslaved are honored, offering visitors a deeper understanding of America’s complex past.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.