Visiting the Ancestral Home of President James Knox Polk, Columbia TN

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James Knox Polk (1795-1849) is the largely forgotten 11th President of the United States. His 1816 home in Columbia, Tennessee is Polk’s only surviving residence and preserved for public touring. What artifacts remain from Polk’s life are displayed here. Furnishings were salvaged from his tenure in the White House and demolished Nashville residence Polk Place. Born in Pineville, North Carolina, Polk came to Columbia to practice law as well as running the family plantation. He became close friends to and mentored by former President Andrew Jackson. Polk turned career politician serving in Congress for years rising to Speaker of the House then served a term as Tennessee governor. Polk became president almost by default. He captured the Democratic nomination as a compromise candidate who would defeat Whig candidate Henry Clay. According to the visitor center video and the tour guide’s talk, critical opinion is divided concerning Polk’s legacy. He has been labeled a great president making good on his promises. His greatest achievement is considered doubling the country’s size with the annexation of Texas, Oregon Territory and Mexican succession. Revisionists point out a ruthless Democrat. He muscled England into giving up the Oregon Territory. It is now known the Mexican-American War was premeditated as Polk planned to provoke war with Mexico prior to his being elected president. That deliberate act resulted in Mexico being forced to surrender territory thus credence the U.S. stole the land. Polk used his position for personal gain. He was an unrepentant slave owner with two plantations who bought and sold slaves while serving in the Oval Office. Polk used his power to suppress any anti-slavery debate. The guide stated Polk’s slaves were beaten and mistreated worse than “normal” by his overseers. He is blamed for helping sow the seeds leading to the Civil War. What a great guy. A proud Democrat who learned well from the father of the Democratic party, Andrew Jackson. The museum displays a few personal items. The bible he was sworn into office with. Campaign ribbons. Wife Sarah’s jewelry, shoes and fan. Needlepoint suspenders worn by Polk and ivory and brass sealing stamp he used. Original Daguerrotype of Polk and his Cabinet. Gifts to the Polks. Visitors are taken to the house which was built in 1816 by Polk’s father. The structure containing the museum was constructed in 1818 for his sister’s family. Original hardwood floors. You are guided room to room given anecdotes. Polk’s chair and desk came from his law office. The books all belonged to Polk and Sarah. Her writing desk was a gift from Dolly Madison. Kitchen is a separate building. You are shown the room where the house slaves were kept locked up at night and the window one young black man jumped out of to escape. The house is not visually appealing or architecturally interesting. Atmosphere is cold and austere as Polk’s personality was described. James Knox Polk died at a relatively young age during a cholera epidemic in Nashville. He was originally entombed in front of Polk Place. After that home was demolished, the remains of Polk and Sarah were moved to a tomb on the grounds of the state capitol.