GREENEVILLE – Tusculum University will celebrate Women’s History Month with a special presentation about ladies who played an important role in the life of the nation’s 17th president and the site that honors his memory.
Ashley Burns
The Thomas J. Garland Library and Tusculum’s sociology program are sponsoring the presentation “Women’s History at Andrew Johnson National Historic Site.” Ashley Burns, the site’s education technician, will deliver the talk Monday, March 18, at 6 p.m. in the library.
“Women are often the keepers, protectors and stewards of history,” she said. “This program highlights the stories of five women who shaped the history of Andrew Johnson National Historic Site and influenced Andrew Johnson’s life. Their names are Eliza, Martha, Mary, Dolly and Margaret.”
These ladies are Eliza Johnson, the former first lady; Martha Johnson Patterson, one of the president’s daughters; Mary Johnson Stover, another daughter; Dolly Johnson, a slave of the president; and Margaret Johnson Patterson Bartlett, a great-granddaughter of Andrew Johnson.
Kathy Hipps, the library’s director, said Tusculum is pleased to host this special program.
“Presidents generate considerable interest from the public because of their fascinating lives and the many distinctive moments of their time in office,” Hipps said. “But it is also nice to learn about the many people connected to them that are not in the limelight as much but can have a tremendous impact on them and the way they are remembered. We are grateful to Ashley for presenting this excellent topic and educating all of us about these influential women.”
For additional information about the university, please visit www.tusculum.edu. People can learn more about the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site at https://www.nps.gov/anjo/index.htm.