President James Buchanan's Wheatland
Ways to visit President James Buchanan's Wheatland
Wheatland is maintained by the Lancaster County Historical Society, and the National Historic Landmark is open to the public all year round. The most convenient way to visit Wheatland on LancasterHistory grounds is to prebook entry, join a guided tour, and take your time strolling through the museum's exhibitions. You can easily pair a visit to Wheatland with a Lancaster tour, guided running tour, or stop at Franklin & Marshall College.
Things to know before you go to President James Buchanan's Wheatland
Presidential history enthusiasts shouldn't miss Wheatland, where you can learn about James Buchanan, America's 15th president.
Wheatland visitors can explore the 10-acre property, including the main home as well as the privy, icehouse, and smokehouse.
Architecture fans discover a classic example of Federal Style, featuring Greek Revival design.
The first floor of Wheatland is wheelchair accessible, but the second floor is not.
How to get to President James Buchanan's Wheatland
The Wheatland property is located in Lancaster, just west of the city center on Marietta Avenue. To visit the home and museum from central Lancaster, take West Orange Street, which becomes Marietta Avenue. From points east and west, take US-30 to the Harrisburg Pike exit. You can pick up tickets—and meet up with your tour group—in LancasterHistory's main building.
When to visit President James Buchanan's Wheatland
There's no bad time to visit Wheatland, but the property is closed annually for the first two weeks of January, and over major federal holidays. Tours are offered several times daily, Monday to Saturday, and last about an hour. If you want to take an included tour, plan to arrive about 15 minutes early, since tours start promptly on the hour.
Visiting the Louise Arnold Tanger Arboretum
Located on the LancasterHistory grounds, visitors shouldn't miss Louise Arnold Tanger Arboretum, which has a diverse display of tree species from around the world. Stop by the free, on-site attraction to take a break from the Wheatland exhibition spaces. You can visit from dawn to dusk and easily pair a visit with your tour of Wheatland.