President James Buchanan's Wheatland

President James Buchanan's Wheatland is a historic institution located at 1120 Marietta Avenue in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Originally built in 1828 for lawyer and bank president William Jenkins, Wheatland is a beautiful mansion in the Federal Style, featuring symmetry and Greek Revival architecture. The mansion includes two main floors, an attic, and a basement, which originally housed the kitchen and wine cellar. The property also includes two outbuildings, a privy, and a building housing the smokehouse and icehouse.

In 1848, Wheatland was purchased by James Buchanan, who later became the 15th President of the United States. Buchanan lived at Wheatland with his "little family" until his death in 1868. After his passing, the property was inherited by his niece, Harriet Lane Johnston, who used the home as a summer residence. Wheatland changed hands several times before being purchased by the Junior League of Lancaster in 1936 to establish the James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland.

In 2009, the foundation merged with the Lancaster County Historical Society to form LancasterHistory, a non-profit historical and educational institution that continues to operate Wheatland as a historic site. The institution offers tours and educational programs to the public, allowing visitors to learn about the history of Wheatland and its distinguished residents, including James Buchanan, Harriet Lane Johnston, and James Buchanan Henry. The James Buchanan Presidential Library, launched in 2020, provides access to a digital repository of items associated with James Buchanan and his family, offering insight into one of the most tumultuous periods in American history. Visit Wheatland to explore the rich history and legacy of one of Pennsylvania's only Presidents.