Welcome to another in a series of travelogue articles highlighting presidential museums, homes, and historic sites. In this article, we’ll give visitors an overview of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and the beautifully restored estate of our 15th President, James Buchanan…

President James Buchanan: An Overview

Fans of presidential trivia know that James Buchanan was the only unmarried president of the United States, but his life and presidency is a fascinating story. Elected to the presidency at the relatively old age of 65, Buchanan had previously served under three other administrations.

By the time of his election in 1856, tensions that eventually led to civil war were rising. His successor, President Lincoln, carried out many of the items on the Buchanan administration’s agenda. The most notable of these was a show of force against the Confederate states if Fort Sumter was attacked. Buchanan long fought to prevent war between the states, but was generally stymied by a divided Congress.

Buchanan’s niece, Harriet Lane, had lived with him since he was orphaned at age eleven. She assumed the duties of First Lady during his administration and was, in fact, the first person to receive that title. Buchanan himself, a staunch opponent of the war but a staunch supporter of the Union, retired to his Pennsylvania home after his presidency. He continued to promote his causes as an elder statesman until his death in 1868.

Visiting Lancaster and President Buchanan’s home

President Buchanan’s restored Wheatland estate can be visited just outside downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania, about 85 miles west of Philadelphia. Tours are available daily during the spring, summer, and fall, with limited hours in winter.

Visitors will experience not only the President’s House, but also the sprawling Wheatland Garden and Tanger Arboretum. The arboretum is a popular attraction housing a collection of more than 100 species of trees from around the world.

Tours last around an hour, longer if you stick to the garden and arboretum. The house itself is restored to how it looked when Buchanan lived here. It is a beautiful two-story period house, with many original furnishings and memorabilia of his life and presidency.

In the aptly named Presidents Shop, you can shop for items not only related to Buchanan, but also other presidents and the presidency in general. We add several unique items to our collection that are not found in other museum stores of this type.

Lancaster is a perfect stopover on the way to Gettysburg from Philadelphia. For presidential historians, this trip is ideal. Philadelphia, of course, is known for its historical attractions, as is Gettysburg. Don’t miss the opportunity to stop in Lancaster on the way. Wheatland is not only a must-see, but the historic downtown area is a perfect stop for lunch or dinner.