By Renée Gordon

History Travel Writer

“The storm of frenzy and faction must inevitably dash itself  in vain against the unshaken rock of the Constitution.” 

James “Old Buck” Buchanan was born in a log cabin in Cove Gap, PA on April 23, 1791, one of ten children. In the early 1800s he became engaged to Anne Coleman. In 1819, after a heated argument, Anne called the engagement off. That same year she took her own life.

Wheatland was constructed in 1828 on 156.5-acres housing the mansion and outbuildings. Buchanan purchased Wheatland in 1845 from William Meredith. He paid $6750 for the then 22.5-acre farm and in 1849 he and his household took possession.

Buchanan’s ward, Harriet Lane, functioned as his hostess and once in the WhiteHouse she became the first “First Lady” in history.

Harriet was born May 9, 1830 and became Buchanan’s ward after her parent’s deaths of consumption in 1841. She graduated from Georgetown University and then took on the role of hostess. She was eventually given the title of First Lady by the American press.

On June 6, 1856 Buchanan received the news of his presidential nomination from the Democratic Party. He was elected on November 4, 1856 and inaugurated on March 4, 1857. He would serve during the four years immediately prior to the election of Lincoln and the onset of the Civil War. His presidency coincided in time with the Dred Scott Decision, the financial Panic of 1857, the Lecompton Constitution, Southern Commercial Convention to reopen the African slave trade and John Brown’s Raid and Execution.

“Old Buck” received the nomination news on the porch of Wheatland and visitors enter the era as they approach the front of the mansion. The brick Federal-style mansion was Buchanan’s home for twenty years and it was here he returned after his term as president. The house is divided into three sections, a wing on either side of a central section. The interior is composed of two main floors, an attic and a basement. The basement once held the kitchen and wine cellar.

Highlights of a tour are his Library, where he wrote both his inaugural address and his memoirs. The Victorian décor has been meticulously preserved and the furnishings belonged to Buchanan. He died in his Wheatland bedroom at 8:30 AM on June 1, 1868. He is buried in Lancaster’s Woodward Cemetery in the rear of the Old Red Chapel. His tombstone reads, “Here lies James Buchanan, 15th president of the United States”. The estate was declared a National Historic Landmark 97 years later.

An exterior tour encompasses the combination smoke/ice house, privy and gardens. The 2-room privy dates from 1828. It is unusual in that one room seats five and the second room seats three and the seats are built to accommodate different heights.

Buchanan was over 6-feet tall and had a reputation for sartorial splendor and his large collection of top hats proves it.

He enjoyed entertaining and he and Harriet hosted lavish parties with imported foods. He loved animals and in addition to his dog Lara he kept a herd of elephants. At one point they were kept on the White House lawn.

Upon Buchanan’s passing Harriet inherited his estate. In 1866 Harriet wed a Baltimore Banker and they had two sons, both of which died as teens of rheumatic fever. Twenty-four months later her husband was taken by pneumonia. She then devoted her time and wealth to charitable works. She founded a pediatric hospital, now part of Johns Hopkins, preserved her uncle’s archives and legacy, and collected stunning artworks that became the foundation of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.  She died in 1903.

A free digital version of the James Buchanan Presidential Library became available in 2020. The website includes more than 3,500 objects related to the life and events experienced by Buchanan and his family. Users can view artifacts and personal items.

Complete tours of Wheatland should be reserved in advance. The tour includes a guided mansion tour, museum entry and a short film. For more information, visit https://www.lancasterhistory.org/about-wheatland/