Unvieling Ceremony Scheduled At At Oaks and Nichols Funeral Home on March 4th at 4 pm

February 27, 2026

Columbia, TN – The City of Columbia invites community members to attend a special unveiling ceremony for a historical marker commemorating the former site of a residence once owned and occupied by President James K. Polk and his wife, Sarah Childress Polk.

The home once stood in what is now a parking lot for the Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. James and Sarah Polk initially rented the modest house for one year before purchasing it in 1825. The residence served as their primary home until 1845, when James K. Polk was elected as the 11th President of the United States and the couple relocated to the White House.

During their years in Columbia, the Polks graciously entertained distinguished guests, including former Presidents Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren. After leaving the White House, the Polks sold the home in 1847 and later settled in Nashville. The house subsequently changed ownership several times before being demolished in 1961. While the original structure is no longer standing, the site remains historically significant.

This location is separate from the President James K. Polk Home & Museum in Columbia, which was Polk’s ancestral home. The marker being unveiled recognizes a different property that the Polks owned and lived in during their married life.

The unveiling ceremony will honor the historical importance of this site and President Polk’s enduring connection to Columbia.

What: Polk Residence Historical Marker Unveiling
When: March 4, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Where: Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home Parking Lot, 320 W 7th Street, Columbia, TN
Who: Local officials and members of the community