Wheatland (Lancaster)
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| James Buchanan House | |
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| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
| U.S. National Historic Landmark | |
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| Location: | Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates: | 40°2′36″N 76°19′49″W / 40.04333°N 76.33028°WCoordinates: 40°2′36″N 76°19′49″W / 40.04333°N 76.33028°W |
| Built/Founded: | 1849 |
| Architect: | Unknown |
| Architectural style(s): | Federal |
| Governing body: | Private |
| Added to NRHP: | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL: | July 4, 1961[2] |
| NRHP Reference#: | 66000669[1] |
Wheatland is the historic estate in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, of James Buchanan, 15th President of the United States.
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[edit] The Estate
William Jenkins, a lawyer, built and named the Federal mansion house in 1828. Buchanan purchased the property - three tracts totalling 22.45 acres (90,900 m2), including the mansion and several outbuildings, in December 1848 from William Morris Meredith, a Philadelphia lawyer.
Harriet Lane Johnston, the president's niece, inherited the estate when Buchanan died at Wheatland on June 1, 1868. A resident of Baltimore, Maryland, she used Wheatland as a summer retreat. In 1884 the estate was purchased by George B. Willson, a Lancaster businessman. Willson made relatively few alterations to the building, although he did install electricity and plumbing, and in 1893, he sold off 13 of the original 22 acres (89,000 m2) to Henry Williamson. When Willson died in 1929, Wheatland was inherited by Mary Willson Rettew, a cousin, who died in 1934. The James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland was incorporated on August 11, 1935, and the property was purchased from the Rettew estate on February 27, 1936.
Wheatland sits next to the Lancaster County Historical Society in a residential neighborhood in Lancaster Township, just outside the Lancaster city limits. Currently, the mansion, carriage house, privy, and smokehouse/icehouse sit on the 4.25 acres (17,200 m2) owned by The James Buchanan Foundation. The mansion, privy, and smokehouse/icehouse date from 1828, when the mansion was built. The carriage house is thought to have been built by George Willson.
The buildings have been restored to show life during the years of Buchanan’s occupancy (1848-1868). The estate is a national historic landmark, supported by admission fees and memberships.
[edit] Wheatland historically
Buchanan developed a deep affection for Wheatland, enjoying "the comforts and tranquility of home" amid the "troubles, perplexities, and difficulties" of public life.[3]
He successfully ran his 1856 presidential campaign from Wheatland instead of doing extensive travelling. When he retired to Wheatland, many famous leaders visited the estate to seek his advice and support.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. http://www.nr.nps.gov/. Retrieved 2007-01-23.
- ^ "Buchanan, James, House (Wheatland)". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=496&ResourceType=Building. Retrieved 2007-11-04.
- ^ http://www.presidentialavenue.com/jb.cfm#4
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Wheatland |
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