Celebrate the day Lancaster served as the nation’s capital for one day on September 27, 1777! LancasterHistory is throwing our first ever Capital Day Celebration on Friday, September 27 from 5:30-8pm. Full of family fun and quirky history, there will be activities throughout the evening to celebrate Lancaster’s claim to nation’s capital fame!

At LancasterHistory, you will learn about Lancaster County and its 300 years of fascinating history. From the extraordinary lives of 15th US President James Buchanan and abolitionist Congressman Thaddeus Stevens, to the struggles and triumphs of ordinary Americans, the Campus of History has stories, exhibitions, and learning opportunities for every visitor.

Visitors can enjoy an in-person tour of the beloved home of 15th United States President James Buchanan. Learn about Buchanan and his “little family” that called the 1828 Federal-style mansion home. A knowledgeable tour guide will lead visitors through both floors of the mansion and help illuminate the life and politics of Buchanan. Advance reservations recommended.

The Louise Arnold Tanger Arboretum is an 11-acre arboretum featuring a multitude of plant specimens and garden features on the grounds of LancasterHistory and President James Buchanan’s Wheatland. The Arboretum includes over 100 species of trees from all over the world and includes two Pennsylvania State Champion trees, native plant pollinator gardens, and an American Conifer Society Reference Garden.

The Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy is an interpretive museum and education center being developed by LancasterHistory. Set to open in 2025, the Center will examine the long, arduous struggle for freedom and equality in America through exhibits, immersive media experiences, and educational programs.

From prisons to prohibition, Thieves & Vagabonds: A History of Law and Justice in Lancaster County explores the making, breaking, and remaking of laws over 300 years of Lancaster County’s history. Visit LancasterHistory’s latest major exhibition for a deep dive into crime and punishment as well as reform and repair in the Lancaster community.

Visit historic sites in Lancaster County to learn about some of the earliest episodes of anti-slavery resistance in America. These spontaneous uprisings against slavery evolved into organized efforts, daring escapes, and legal challenges, culminating into a movement known as “The Underground Railroad.” Private tours now available. Inquire for more information and to book.

Let us help you discover your Lancaster County connection! From maps and microfilm to diaries and Civil War muster rolls, LancasterHistory’s Research Center has many documents and services that can help visitors with their scholarly or ancestral research. Our expert staff, with a combined 100 years of experience, are also available to help you.

The James Buchanan Online Presidential Library is a digital repository of more than 3,500 items associated with James Buchanan, Harriet Lane, and James Buchanan Henry, extended family members, associates, and Wheatland, Buchanan’s home. Now available and free to access, users can search and view the digitized collection to examine the events that transpired during Buchanan’s presidency and gain a better understanding of how the United States responded to one of the most fraught periods in American history.

Photographs provide a window into the past. The visual images of Lancaster County are captured in more than 90,000 photographs housed in the photographic collections of LancasterHistory. A vast majority of our collection is digitized and available to view online for free.

LancasterHistory’s Museum Store, located at 230 North President Avenue, offers unique and special home decorative items and books related to Lancaster County’s rich history. Stop by to view popular gift items, local folk art, and more.