Information
Landmark: WheatlandCity: Lancaster
Country: USA Pennsylvania
Continent: North America
Wheatland, Lancaster, USA Pennsylvania, North America
Overview
Wheatland, once the home of James Buchanan-the nation’s 15th president-still stands as a stately historic estate shaded by old oak trees.In Lancaster Township, Pennsylvania, Wheatland invites you to step into mid-19th-century life and explore the legacy of one of America’s presidents, where worn wooden floors still echo with stories from the past.Wheatland stands at 1120 Marietta Avenue in Lancaster Township, a short drive from the heart of downtown Lancaster, where brick sidewalks meet old oak trees.William Jenkins, a local attorney, first built the estate in 1828, laying its stone walls by hand.They called it “The Wheatlands” back then, with golden wheat stretching in every direction around the property.In 1848, James Buchanan bought Wheatland, a stately brick home, and stayed there for the rest of his days, right up until 1868.The mansion was both his home and a lively center of politics, where in 1856 Buchanan stood on the crisp green lawn to deliver his first presidential campaign speech.Today, LancasterHistory keeps Wheatland open as a museum, inviting visitors to explore Buchanan’s life, his political career, and the turbulent era he lived in-right down to the creak of its old wooden floors.The estate’s architecture and grounds include a grand Federal-style mansion, stretching over 13,000 square feet, with white columns catching the afternoon sun.The house stands with classic balance, its broad windows catching the light, and fine trimwork that echoes early 19th‑century American design.The property spans about 22.5 acres of rolling meadows, fruit-laden orchards, and blooming gardens, preserving the quiet pastoral charm of its original setting.Walking the grounds, visitors come across original outbuildings-a lavishly designed privy, still remarkably intact, and a clever ice house joined to a smokehouse where food once stayed cool and dry.Together, they offer a vivid glimpse into the routines of 1800s life on a prosperous estate.You can visit Wheatland for guided tours that weave together its stately architecture, the life story of a president, and the rich local heritage-right down to the scent of old wood in its halls.We’re open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.-just in time for a late morning coffee.The final guided tour kicks off at 3:00 PM sharp.When you arrive, you’ll watch a 24‑minute orientation film, then join a guide for a 50‑minute walk through the mansion and its gardens, the smell of freshly cut grass drifting on the breeze.It’s best to buy your tickets ahead of time-before the line snakes past the door.Special Events: A crowd favorite is “Yuletide at Wheatland,” held each year when the mansion glows with period decorations-garlands draped over banisters and candlelight flickering-bringing 19th-century Christmas traditions to life.Take a 360° virtual tour online and wander through the mansion’s grand halls and sweeping gardens, exploring every corner as if you were there.If you’re visiting, head to the main entrance at 230 North President Avenue-you’ll spot the wide brick arch as you arrive.GPS may tell you to turn into the Marietta Avenue driveway, but that gate’s shut to cars; head to the North President Avenue entrance instead, where you’ll find the lot and the main doors.Wheatland offers a hands-on journey into the world of James Buchanan, from the details of his presidency to the texture of his daily life, while its Federal-style architecture and mid-19th-century artifacts paint a vivid picture of the era.Strolling past weathered barns and gardens, visitors gain a deeper understanding of the farming methods and domestic routines that shaped the estate.Located at 1120 Marietta Avenue in Lancaster Township, PA, Wheatland welcomes history lovers, students, and curious travelers eager to explore a complex chapter of America’s past through the home of one of its presidents.
