The "Wheatland: Home of Pennsylvania's Only President" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Looking at the photographs on iPhoto that I recently took on a visit to Wheatland.  Wheatland was at one time the residency of James Buchanan, President of the United States.  On Thursday, December 20th I wrote a story about a young James Buchanan and the love of his life, Ann Caroline Coleman.  My story today deals primarily with Wheatland, James' home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but I thought I should pass along to you some of the history leading up to James Buchanan buying Wheatland. James commenced his political career as a member of the Federalist Party when he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives where he served from 1814 to 1816.  In 1821 He was elected to the United States House of Representatives and served in that position until 1831.  He changed party loyalties by forming the Amalgamist Party and then eventually shifting to Jackson's Democrat Party.  In 1931 he served as Minister to Russia under President Andrew Jackson.  In 1834 he was elected to the United States Senate and served in that position until 1845.  James then served as the Secretary of State for President Polk from 1845 to 1849.  It was during this time that he purchased the estate known as Wheatland.  In December of 1848 he made the purchase, but did not move in until several months later.  On November 20, 1824, over 403 acres of land was turned over to a bank in Lancaster by a farmer.  The bank sold 165 acres of that land on January 29, 1828 to their bank President, Mr. William Jenkins who had a house constructed on the property and named it "The Wheatlands," probably because the land was primarily wheat fields.  In 1941 Jenkins sold 17 acres of that land, which included the house, to his son-in-law.  In 1845 it was sold again to William Meredith for $6,750 ($168,364 in 2013 dollars).  Meredith eventually sold the property and home three years later to Buchanan for the exact same price.  The house is a Federal style house made of brick.  Sadly there are no documents that I can find that tell about the construction or the person responsible for the design of Wheatland.  Many of the design elements incorporated in the house are designs that were prevalent in the 19th century.  Wheatland has never been significantly altered or remodeled except for modern lighting and heating.  The house is primarily a two and a half story central section which is flanked on either side by two, two story wings.  The front entrance is protected by a portico supported by four columns, while the rear entrance is on a veranda.  Both entrances open into a "T"-shaped hallway.  The hallway was covered with oilcloth flooring that was decorated with geometric squares to imitate tile.  It has since been overlaid with a reproduction that is identical to the original.  The first floor has a parlor, library, 2 dining rooms and kitchen.  One of the dining rooms was for formal dinners and also as the sitting room.  The fireplace in this room was enclosed in marble when Buchanan bought Wheatland and had a furnace installed.  The second floor is reached by using an elliptical staircase which has a "peace stone" embedded in the newel post at the base of the stairs.  This symbolizes that the owner has paid off the mortgage.  The second floor was the living quarters for Mr. Buchanan while the third floor was used as the servant's quarters.  The grounds around Wheatland were incrementally sold until only 4.25 acres remained.  It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Adjacent to Wheatland on 5.75 acres is the Lancaster Historical Society.  On March 9, 1861, Buchanan left Washington and retired to Lancaster and Wheatland to spend the rest of his life.  James Buchanan died at Wheatland on June 1, 1868.  Wheatland was willed to his niece, Harriet Lane, whom he had adopted long before and who was the daughter of his oldest sister.  It was said that Harriet was very well educated and presided over the White House as his hostess and first lady with youthful charm and womanly grace.  In 1935 a "Shrine Committee" was formed with the intent of raising money to purchase Wheatland.  An agreement of sale was signed on February 27, 1936 and on October 14, 1937  Wheatland was formally dedicated when Committee Chairman James Hale Steinman said, "I now dedicate you to the service of the people of this community .... of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and .... of the United States of America.  May you endure forever!"  I hope the following photos will show you the grandeur of the Wheatland estate.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Rear of Wheatland showing the three sections of the home.

Plaque showing registry as a National Historic Landmark.

Front of Wheatland. 

Front door knocker.

Front door handle.  Just had to grab it so I could say I touched something that James Buchanan had touched.

Inside basin spigots.

Wheatland drawing as it appeared in 1869. 

Elliptical staircase to the second floor.