On a hazy December morning, we pulled into and parked in the designated parking area and walked through the front door of the James K. Polk Home and Museum in downtown Columbia, Tennessee. It was the beginning of an amazing day! My wife and I were excited to travel with family to Columbia, Tennessee for this excursion. Having traveled the previous day from Florida, we were searching for that special adventure for the next day. The Polk Home and Museum became that special adventure and rewarded us with one of the best historical travel experiences in the southern United States.
While my purpose for this article is to write about the Polk Home and Museum, the town of Columbia is spellbound with southern grace and charm encompassing a beautiful courthouse square, with amazing attractions, unique shops and restaurants. Read my article about this awesome special town
. But for now, let’s get to my blog about the James K. Polk Home and Museum in Columbia, Tennessee.
Contents
- BACKGROUND OF JAMES K. POLK
- THE PRESIDENT WHO SPENT MOST OF HIS DAY AT WORK
- THE LIFE OF JAMES AND SARAH POLK AFTER THE PRESIDENCY
- THE POLK HOME, MUSEUM, OTHER STRUCTURES & FEATURES
- NOW BACK TO OUR TOUR OF THE POLK HOME
- FAQ – THE PRESIDENT JAMES K. POLK HOME AND MUSEUM
- ARE YOU READY TO MAKE THE TRIP TO THE PRESIDENT JAMES K. POLK HOME AND MUSEUM?
BACKGROUND OF JAMES K. POLK
James K. Polk was born November 2nd, 1795 to Samuel and Jane Polk in Pineville, North Carolina. Samuel Polk, a land surveyor, looking for better life opportunities moved his wife and ten children from North Carolina to Maury County, Tennessee. James was ten years old when the family moved their belongings from North Carolina and settled in Tennessee.
James attended the University of North Carolina, graduating with high honors in 1818. In 1820, James K. Polk was admitted to the bar and started a law practice in Columbia, Tennessee. His very first case was defending his father who became involved in a fight in downtown Columbia. He was arrested for assault. Samuel Polk was only fined $1.00 while the other individual was fined much more.
Polk was a skilled attorney, but he had a stronger desire for politics. At age 28, Polk was elected to the Tennessee State Legislature. He was often referred to as “Napoleon of the Stump” because he was short and a very skilled speaker.
James K. Polk and Sarah Childress were married on January 1, 1824. Sarah, eight years younger than James, was well educated herself. Coming from a prominent family from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, she would later become the only first lady ever to be born from the state of Tennessee. James’ father owned a city block of real estate property in Columbia where the Polk Home sits.
In 1825, Polk became a first term congressman to the U.S. House of Representatives, and would serve until 1839. While there, James K. Polk perfected his own political savvy to become Speaker of the House in 1835. Polk, a friend and protégé of President Andrew Jackson no doubt was aided in this highest House position because of Jackson’s mentorship. It is reported that he was known as “Young Hickory” based on Andrew Jackson’s nickname “Old Hickory.” James K. Polk was the only President to serve as the Speaker of the House.
In 1839, James left Washington to set his sights on running for Governor of Tennessee. His easy going and well-liked wife served as his campaign manager. This was a boon for James politically. It is reported that Sarah’s personality often outperformed her husband’s. Polk won the first election for governor but lost the next two in 1841 and 1843. Many in the political world believed Polk would now be politically worthless.
No longer in political office, Polk entered the Presidential race leading to the 1844 election year with very dismal hope. However, Polk’s climb to the Presidency would begin at the Democratic presidential convention at Baltimore. After all the political wrangling, posturing, and maneuvering was done, the Democratic party convention ended in a deadlock without an established candidate for President. After former President Martin Van Buren and Democratic candidate Lewis Cass could not obtain the nomination after the casting of multiple ballots, the Democratic Party on the ninth ballot, turned to candidate James K. Polk, and nominated him for President of the United States.
The political campaign against Henry Clay, the Whig candidate was hard fought. While taking a needed rest in Columbia, Tennessee, a message arrived from Nashville, Tennessee informing Polk that he had defeated Clay and won the Presidency. James K. Polk on March 4, 1845 became the 11th President of the United States of America. He was the last of the Jacksonians to be in the White House. He served one term from 1845 to 1849. Polk was often referred to as the first dark horse President
THE PRESIDENT WHO SPENT MOST OF HIS DAY AT WORK
James K. Polk, was known to be a workaholic. He often boasted himself as the “hardest working man in the United States.” It was reported that he would work up to 12 hours a day. He only took twenty-seven days of vacation during his 4-year term in office. While he did the Presidential work, Sarah managed the social calendar for them. She defined the role of the first lady of the United States. She was a very sociable friendly person. Politicians often would bend her ear telling her things they wouldn’t dare say to James. James and Sarah made an excellent team. Dolly Madison was Sarah’s friend and mentor in Washington.
President Polk achievements in Office were significant and numerous. He fulfilled all five of his goals.
| Polk’s Five Goals |
|---|
| Reduced the tariff |
| Established an independent treasury |
| Settled the Oregon boundary |
| Annexed Texas |
| Acquired the California Territory |
President James K. Polk is credited with making the Executive branch of the United States more powerful than it had ever been. Considered the architect of the Manifest Destiny, he was responsible for the United States acquiring more than a million square miles, more than any other president past and present. That territory is now made up of the states of Arizona, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, most of New Mexico and portions of Wyoming, Montana and Colorado.
THE LIFE OF JAMES AND SARAH POLK AFTER THE PRESIDENCY
After one term in office, Polk left Washington. He promised to serve only one term and he kept his word. In 1849, James and Sarah moved to Polk Place, the house they built in Nashville, Tennessee. Having contracted cholera, President James K. Polk died at age 53 on June 15, 1849 about three months after leaving office. He was buried the next day on June 16, 1849. Having no children, his last will and testament was declared invalid.
Sarah mourned for her dear departed husband and never remarried. In 1891 she died at age 87, the longest widowhood of any first lady. The paintings of Sarah after James’ death depicted her dressed in black, indicative of one who was in mourning. She eventually would inherit the contents of Polk Place, but as a female, the U.S. legal system at that time did not allow a female to inherit real estate property. Polk Place was eventually demolished in 1901.
THE POLK HOME, MUSEUM, OTHER STRUCTURES & FEATURES
The Polk Home and Museum is located just a block from the historic and beautiful Maury County courthouse square, at the corner of West 7th and High Street in downtown Columbia, Tennessee. The site address is 301 W. 7th Street.
The Federal-style house was built and owned by James’s parents, Samuel and Jane Polk. It was completed in 1816. The house served as a home to James K. Polk for about six years until he married Sarah in 1824. Today, it is the only surviving residence of President Polk other than the White House. Sarah never lived in the Polk Home.
Next door to the Polk Home is the Sisters’ House, which now serves as a Visitor Center for the site. It was once home to the families of James K. Polk’s married sisters. Upon entering, to the right you will see a gift shop supplied with historical memorabilia and gifts.
In the back of the gift shop there is a small theatre. A brief movie about President Polk is played to provide historical content for your guided house tour. As you exit the theater and gift shop, to the left of the lobby is a curated exhibit museum, which details the Polk’s accomplishments and challenges. Some significant exhibits and artifacts include daguerreotypes of President Polk and the first lady; gifts and mementos from their days in the White House; campaign memorabilia from the Election of 1844; and first lady Sarah Polk’s Inaugural fan.
In the Polk Home our tour guide led us room to room, explaining with passion and eloquence the challenges and opportunities of the Polk time period. Little known tidbits about their life were shared by our tour guide.
NOW BACK TO OUR TOUR OF THE POLK HOME
The Polk Home contains a diverse collection of the Polk’s belongings and furniture. The collection, meticulously displayed in each room, awesomely portrays the life of the 11th President of the United States and the First Lady. Several original items of furniture from Polk Place in Nashville were brought to the Polk Home. These include a hall tree and table, grandfather clock, and a hall light fixture.
The Polk Home is reminiscent of the 1840’s timeframe. Much of the furniture was acquired while they resided at the White House. The wallpaper and window drapes are historic reproductions.
The Living Room. The deep red features of the living room highlighted Sarah’s favorite color which was deep red. It was noted that during their time at the White House Sarah assisted in the design of the Red Room. The tall windows in each room had a purpose to accommodate better lighting and airflow.
The gifted marble-topped table. Our tour guide pointed out the unique marble-topped table sitting in the middle of the living room. This table was a gift to President Polk from the consulate of Tunisia. The table’s inlay was made from the ruins of Carthage. Thirty stars circling an eagle represented the thirty States of the U.S. when Polk left the Presidency. The tour guide asked if we saw anything wrong or dubious about the bald eagle. After a few seconds of silence, the tour guide explained the differences and that it was not a bald eagle.
Two set of portraits of Polk painted by Artist George Healy in the lobby side by side illustrate how much Polk aged while in Office.
The first portrait of President Polk in 1846 when he was 49 years old.
The second portrait in 1849 shows a drastic change in the appearance of President Polk.
The Dining Room was immaculate. It was decorated for Christmas.
President Polk’s personal Study. The tour guide explained that the green paint on the walls in Polk’s study was expensive and very dangerous to make, even lethal since some of the paint’s ingredients contained arsenic. His right handed writing chair is in his study.
The Museum. In the museum, visitors are able to see a timeline of Polk’s life and career. There are many relics from his time in the White House.
The Gardens. The landscaped grounds include an herb garden, boxwood garden, and a white azalea garden. Since we visited in the winter, the gardens were not in bloom. You will see a cast iron fountain, decorative urns, and some plantings transplanted from the grounds of Polk Place, the Polk’s home, that went through demolition in 1901.
The Kitchen. The detached kitchen was reconstructed in 1946 on the original foundation. The kitchen, built separate from the main house, was for the purpose to limit destruction of the main house should a fire from the kitchen occur
The Polk Presidential Hall is located to the west of the detached Kitchen.
FAQ – THE PRESIDENT JAMES K. POLK HOME AND MUSEUM
| What is the physical address of the James K. Polk Home and Museum? | 301 W. 7th Street, Columbia, TN 38401 |
| What is the mailing address of the James K. Polk Home and Museum? | President James K. Polk Home & Museum P.O. Box 741 Columbia, TN 38402 |
| What is the phone number for the James K. Polk Home and Museum? | 931-505-8019 |
| Does the James K. Polk Home and Museum have free parking? | Yes. Designated free parking is provided. |
| Are there certain holidays that the James K. Polk Home and Museum are closed on? | They are open Year around, except for New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays. |
| Are tour reservations required for the James K. Polk Home and Museum? | No. No reservations are needed. Just walk-in. |
| What are the hours of operation for the James K. Polk Home and Museum? | Museum Hours April–October Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m.–5 p.m. November–March Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m.–5 p.m. |
| What is the admission price for the Polk Home and Museum? | Ages 6-18 is $8 / Ages 19-59 is $12 / Seniors 60 plus is $10 / Children under 6 is free. |
| Does the Polk Home and Museum accept large groups for tours? | Yes., however they encouraged large groups to call ahead to schedule and accomodate a tour. |
| What is the admission price for the Polk Presidential Hall only | $5 for adults and seniors and $3 for ages 6-18. |
| Is the historic James K. Polk Home gardens available to rent for private weddings and events? | Yes. The historic Polk Home gardens are available for private weddings and events. Reach out to them for rental packages. |
| What is the website for the James K. Polk Home and Museum? | https://jameskpolk.com |
| What is the e-mail address for the James K. Polk Home and Museum? | info@jameskpolk.com |
| Can I become a member of the James K. Polk Memorial Association? | Yes. Reach out to them for membership prices and benefits. |
| How can I find out more about enrolling my children for the Polk Academy Summer Camps? | Reach out to James K. Polk Home and Museum on the camps offered by the Polk Academy Summer Camps. |
| Does the James K. Polk Home and Museum offer any education resources for Educators? | Yes! They offer “Field Trips Your Way”, Lesson Plans and Printable Resources, Distance Learning Program and Homeschool Resources. Reach out to them for more information. |
ARE YOU READY TO MAKE THE TRIP TO THE PRESIDENT JAMES K. POLK HOME AND MUSEUM?
The James K. Polk Home and Museum is an amazing low-cost getaway in a beautiful southern town setting of Columbia, Tennessee. You will be provided awesome historical knowledge and super tidbits of information about a President not as well-known or well-liked as George Washington, the “Father of our country,” or Abraham Lincoln, “Honest Abe.” Polk was the only President in history that enlarged the physical geography of the United States from the East Coast to the West Coast more so than any other President ever. He is the only President ever to serve as the Speaker of the House.
Pack a bag to Columbia where you can stop by and enjoy this awesome historical educational tour of the Polk Home and Museum!