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taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> United States >> Presidential Houses in the United States >> James Polk House, Columbia, TN (November 2009) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

James Polk House, Columbia, TN (November 2009)

James K. Polk (1795 – 1849) was the 11th President of the United States (1845–1849). He was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina and later lived in and represented the state of Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as Speaker of the House (1835–1839) and Governor of Tennessee (1839–1841) before becoming the first "Dark Horse President." In the 1844 Democratic Convention, he was nominated on the 9th ballot. James Polk was a populist and a supporter of Andrew Jackson. Jackson, who was his mentor, got the knickname, “Old Hickory.” Polk, later, got the knickname, “Young Hickory.” While James Polk was a one-tern President and is not that well known today, he was one of the most effective Presidents. He is the only U.S. President who fulfulled all of his campaign promises including: the annexation of Texas, the establishment of an Independent Treasury, the settlement of the Oregon territory question and, most important to him, the lowering of tariffs. He also directed and was victorious in the Mexican American War. In the settling it, he almost doubled the size of the United States expanding its territory to the Pacific Ocean. Polk was a hands-on President who liked to administrate. In the process, though, he worked himself so hard, that he was worn out at the end of his term, and he died in of cholera 1849 at age 53, three months after he left office. The country that he left was of much stronger and greater size than it was when he took office.
James Polk House in Columbia, TN cover page.
James Polk House in Columbia, TN cover page.		 Map of Tennessee showing Columbia.
Map of Tennessee showing Columbia.		 Oil painting of James K. Polk by Minor K. Kellogg, painted around 1840, when Polk was about 45.
Oil painting of James K. Polk by Minor K. Kellogg, painted around 1840, when Polk was about 45.		 1849 daguerreotype taken by Matthew Brady of a worn out and much older-looking Polk. It was taken shortly before Polk's death.
1849 daguerreotype taken by Matthew Brady of a worn out and much older-looking Polk. It was taken shortly before Polk's death.
Daguerreotype of Sarah and James Polk taken around the same time.
Daguerreotype of Sarah and James Polk taken around the same time.		 Sign indicating that the James Polk house belonged to his parents. It was built by his father, Samuel, around 1816.
Sign indicating that the James Polk house belonged to his parents. It was built by his father, Samuel, around 1816.		 Façade of the the Federal style house. It is the only remaining residence of James K. Polk, except for the White House.
Façade of the the Federal style house. It is the only remaining residence of James K. Polk, except for the White House.		 The plaque on the door state that it was James Polk's ancestral home from 1816 until 1845.
The plaque on the door state that it was James Polk's ancestral home from 1816 until 1845.
The front door of the James Polk house.
The front door of the James Polk house.		 There is a museum next door to the house. A commemorative postage stamp of James Polk. He is an underrated president.
There is a museum next door to the house. A commemorative postage stamp of James Polk. He is an underrated president.		 Statue of Andrew Jackson who known as Old Hickory, was the mentor of James Polk. He was known as Young Hickory.
Statue of Andrew Jackson who known as "Old Hickory," was the mentor of James Polk. He was known as "Young Hickory."		 James Polk is called the first Dark Horse President. In the 1844 Democratic Convention, he was nominated on the 9th ballot.
James Polk is called the first "Dark Horse President." In the 1844 Democratic Convention, he was nominated on the 9th ballot.
A political cartoon showing James Polk fighting it out with Henry Clay, his Whig opponent.
A political cartoon showing James Polk fighting it out with Henry Clay, his Whig opponent.		 A portrait of a dashing James Polk on his horse.
A portrait of a dashing James Polk on his horse.		 Campaign picture of James Polk and his Vice Presidential running mate, George M. Dallas.
Campaign picture of James Polk and his Vice Presidential running mate, George M. Dallas.		 James Polk is said to be the only president who kept all of his campaign promises.
James Polk is said to be the only president who kept all of his campaign promises.
An exhibit in the museum listing the events and many accomplishment that took place during his administration.
An exhibit in the museum listing the events and many accomplishment that took place during his administration.		 A daguerreotype of James Polk and his cabinet. It is the earliest photograph of the interior of the White House.
A daguerreotype of James Polk and his cabinet. It is the earliest photograph of the interior of the White House.		 Political cartoon showing that James Polk's idea of mediation was using force.
Political cartoon showing that James Polk's idea of mediation was using force.		 When Mexico refused to negotiate regarding the purchase of New Mexico and California, it resulted in the Mexican American War.
When Mexico refused to negotiate regarding the purchase of New Mexico and California, it resulted in the Mexican American War.
Three months after he left the presidency, James Polk died of cholera. The presidency took a great toll on him.
Three months after he left the presidency, James Polk died of cholera. The presidency took a great toll on him.		 Front hallway of the house. James Polk lived here from the time that he graduated from college until he was married.
Front hallway of the house. James Polk lived here from the time that he graduated from college until he was married.		 This light has gone through many transformations, from a candle holder, to burning whale oil, and, now, it is electrified.
This light has gone through many transformations, from a candle holder, to burning whale oil, and, now, it is electrified.		 This mirror was originally in the hallway of the home where James Polk had planned to retire in Nashville.
This mirror was originally in the hallway of the home where James Polk had planned to retire in Nashville.
A grandfather clock in the front hallway of the house.
A grandfather clock in the front hallway of the house.		 Most of the furnishings in the house are original including some that were in the White House during his term.
Most of the furnishings in the house are original including some that were in the White House during his term.		 The salon with authentic period pieces that belonged to the Polk family.
The salon with authentic period pieces that belonged to the Polk family.		 This American eagle table has 30 stars for the 30 states in Polk's day. It is made of Egyptian marble.
This American eagle table has 30 stars for the 30 states in Polk's day. It is made of Egyptian marble.
View of other furnishing in the salon and of the fireplace. The house was heated by the fireplaces when Polk lived here.
View of other furnishing in the salon and of the fireplace. The house was heated by the fireplaces when Polk lived here.		 Portrait of Polk's wife Sarah, who lived on 42 years after her husband's death.
Portrait of Polk's wife Sarah, who lived on 42 years after her husband's death.		 Sarah's inaugural gown. She was an educated woman and surprised people by her interest in fashion and finery.
Sarah's inaugural gown. She was an educated woman and surprised people by her interest in fashion and finery.		 The mantel in the salon with decorative ceramic vases.
The mantel in the salon with decorative ceramic vases.
These French imported ceramic vases were purchased by Sarah in a store in New York called Stewarts, when she was First Lady.
These French imported ceramic vases were purchased by Sarah in a store in New York called "Stewarts," when she was First Lady.		 Portrait of James Polk at aged 50.
Portrait of James Polk at aged 50.		 Another portrait painted 3 years later at age 53, showing how the Presidency had aged him. He worked himself to exhaustion!
Another portrait painted 3 years later at age 53, showing how the Presidency had aged him. He worked himself to exhaustion!		 This curved red velvet couch was acquired by Sarah when she was in the White House, although it was not used there.
This curved red velvet couch was acquired by Sarah when she was in the White House, although it was not used there.
John Henry Belter's NY company perfected this curved wood technique at that time, the antithesis of heavier the Empire Style.
John Henry Belter's NY company perfected this curved wood technique at that time, the antithesis of heavier the Empire Style.		 An original piano that belonged to the Polk family.
An original piano that belonged to the Polk family.		 The dining room which has the original china from the White House.
The dining room which has the original china from the White House.		 The room is small by the standards of Andrew Jackson's home, since Columbia was a frontier town when the house was built.
The room is small by the standards of Andrew Jackson's home, since Columbia was a frontier town when the house was built.
An elegant formal chandelier hangs over the dining room table.
An elegant formal chandelier hangs over the dining room table.		 Portrait of James Polk's mother, Jane Polk, over the fireplace.
Portrait of James Polk's mother, Jane Polk, over the fireplace.		 Jane Polk lived into her 70's, and outlived her husband and 7 of her 10 children. The 1840's clock beneath her still works.
Jane Polk lived into her 70's, and outlived her husband and 7 of her 10 children. The 1840's clock beneath her still works.		 Sideboard, portrait and other furnishings in the dining room.
Sideboard, portrait and other furnishings in the dining room.
In this 2nd story office, the wallpaper is not original but is of that period. It is called block style paper.
In this 2nd story office, the wallpaper is not original but is of that period. It is called "block style" paper.		 The green trim is the original color that was used in this room. Originally the room was a bedroom.
The green trim is the original color that was used in this room. Originally the room was a bedroom.		 Reproduction of the painted window shades that were very popular in James Polk's time. They tend to fade in the sunlight.
Reproduction of the painted window shades that were very popular in James Polk's time. They tend to fade in the sunlight.		 Bedroom that was used by Sarah. The fabric on top of the bed was a doily that Sarah wore over her dress.
Bedroom that was used by Sarah. The fabric on top of the bed was a doily that Sarah wore over her dress.
The room contains some of her jewelry in a jewelry box and a traveling desk in the center of the room.
The room contains some of her jewelry in a jewelry box and a traveling desk in the center of the room.		 The traveliing desk was on a stand. It came in handy during the 12 to 14-day journeys to Washington, D.C.
The traveliing desk was on a stand. It came in handy during the 12 to 14-day journeys to Washington, D.C.		 This was originally a trunk room or a storeage room. These are the President's smoking jacket and one of Sarah's dresses.
This was originally a trunk room or a storeage room. These are the President's smoking jacket and one of Sarah's dresses.		 In this bedroom, is a portrait of Sarah painted 30 years after James' death, looking like she was still in mourning.
In this bedroom, is a portrait of Sarah painted 30 years after James' death, looking like she was still in mourning.
Sarah was in her mid-70's when this portrait was painted. She died in 1891 at age 87.
Sarah was in her mid-70's when this portrait was painted. She died in 1891 at age 87.		 This was James Polk's parents' bedroom.
This was James Polk's parents' bedroom.		 The furniture in this room belonged to Sarah and is from Sarah's widowed years.
The furniture in this room belonged to Sarah and is from Sarah's widowed years.		 Portrait of Sarah's sister hangs in the second floor hallway.
Portrait of Sarah's sister hangs in the second floor hallway.
Sarah's sister was married to this man, a Nashville doctor.
Sarah's sister was married to this man, a Nashville doctor.		 This is a portrait of Sarah mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Whitsitt Childress, who was from nearby Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
This is a portrait of Sarah mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Whitsitt Childress, who was from nearby Murfreesboro, Tennessee.		 Portrait of Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador. His conquests caused the fall of the Aztec Empire in Mexico.
Portrait of Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador. His conquests caused the fall of the Aztec Empire in Mexico.		 It was appropriate for Polk to hang it. During the U.S. Mexican War, his troops used the same path to Mexico City as Cortés did.
It was appropriate for Polk to hang it. During the U.S. Mexican War, his troops used the same path to Mexico City as Cortés did.
Behind the James Polk house is the kitchen, in a separate building.
Behind the James Polk house is the kitchen, in a separate building.		 It was common in the 19th century for the kitchen to be separated from the house for protection from fires.
It was common in the 19th century for the kitchen to be separated from the house for protection from fires.		 The kitchen's furnishings were typical for that time.
The kitchen's furnishings were typical for that time.		 Cooking utensils and pots in front of the fireplace in the kitchen.
Cooking utensils and pots in front of the fireplace in the kitchen.
Behind the James Polk house and the museum next door is this fountain.
Behind the James Polk house and the museum next door is this fountain.		 A rear view of the house with the fountain in the foreground.
A rear view of the house with the fountain in the foreground.		 The façade of the James Polk house at dusk. The visiting hours were over, so it was time to leave.
The façade of the James Polk house at dusk. The visiting hours were over, so it was time to leave.

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