Wheatland, Federal style mansion in Lancaster, United States
Wheatland is a three-section brick mansion featuring symmetrical side wings, two main stories, an attic, and a basement. The basement level contains the original kitchen and wine cellar from the house's early days.
President James Buchanan purchased this house in 1848 and lived here until his death in 1868, except during his years as president and as ambassador to Britain. This makes the property a window into the private life of a leading figure during the Civil War period.
The interior displays furnishings and objects from the 1800s that show how a prominent family lived during the Civil War era. Walking through the rooms reveals the daily routines and choices of people from that period.
Guided tours run from January through November with interpreters dressed in period clothing who lead visitors through the mansion for about one hour. It is helpful to plan ahead to confirm tour availability during your visit.
The property retains two original outbuildings from 1828: a multi-level privy and a structure housing both a smokehouse and an icehouse. These rare survivors show how households preserved food before modern refrigeration existed.
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