James Buchanan welcomed numerous visitors into his home. We invite you into his home today to learn more about Pennsylvania's only President and the times surrounding his life at Wheatland. Plan your family, group, or school visit today.

Wheatland is situated amid four landscaped acres where Buchanan's outbuildings, the smokehouse and the privy, can still be seen. Guided tours begin in the Carriage House Visitors Center with a video and introduction and continue in the mansion. Visitors will want to take a few minutes to enjoy Wheatland's two museum shops, as well as strolling through the Victorian herb garden.

History - Wheatland as a Country Estate

The house was built in 1828 for William Jenkins, Esq. and named "The Wheatlands" in honor of the surrounding vistas of waving grain fields. James Buchanan purchased the estate, consisting of the main dwelling and several outbuildings, from Philadelphia attorney William Morris Meredith in December 1848. At that time the property included three tracts totaling 22.45 acres.

Today, The James Buchanan Foundation retains about 4.25 acres, President Buchanan's home, and three outbuildings (the Carriage House Visitor Center, privy, and smoke-ice house). Privately owned homes abut the property to the south and west and The Lancaster County Historical Society rests to the east. The property was bequeathed to the Lancaster County Historical Society by the George B. Willson family, who were the last private owners of Wheatland before it was purchased and preserved by The Junior League of Lancaster in 1936.