Events: Tour

Wheatland “At Your Own Pace”

McMaster’s portrait of Buchanan hanging above the mantle in Wheatland’s parlor. (Courtesy of Larry Lefever Photography)

Explore President James Buchanan’s Wheatland at your own pace. On this self-guided tour, you can explore the President’s home and see what you want for as long as you want. Tour guides will be stationed around the mansion to provide visitors with information about the spaces, objects, and people who once called Wheatland home.

At-Your-Own-Pace tours are great for families (pick up a scavenger hunt from reception on your way in!) and those who want to take their time viewing the mansion in contrast to our regular ‘guided tour’ experience. Spend as little or as much time (within operating hours!) as you’d like in President Buchanan’s beloved home.

“Go-At-Your-Own-Pace” Tours are only available on Saturday, July 5. Entry times are every 30 minutes from 10am (first tour entry) until 3pm (last tour entry). Ticket purchase also includes self-guided access to LancasterHistory’s museum exhibitions. Tickets are $17/Adult (14+), $15/Senior (65+), $10/Youth (6-13), and free for children 5 and under. LancasterHistory Members receive complimentary admission. This tour is eligible for our Museums for All rate!

To purchase tickets in advance, please go online or call (717) 392-4633. Advance tickets are strongly recommended.

At Your Own Pace Tour Family-Friendly In-Person Event Tour

July 5, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, PA Tour Entry Every 30 Minutes, 10am - 3pm FREE/Members | $17/Adults (18+) | $15/Seniors (65+) | $10 (11-College ID)
Get Tickets

Wheatland “At Your Own Pace”

McMaster’s portrait of Buchanan hanging above the mantle in Wheatland’s parlor. (Courtesy of Larry Lefever Photography)

Explore President James Buchanan’s Wheatland at your own pace. On this self-guided tour, you can explore the President’s home and see what you want for as long as you want. Tour guides will be stationed around the mansion to provide visitors with information about the spaces, objects, and people who once called Wheatland home.

At-Your-Own-Pace tours are great for families (pick up a scavenger hunt from reception on your way in!) and those who want to take their time viewing the mansion in contrast to our regular ‘guided tour’ experience. Spend as little or as much time (within operating hours!) as you’d like in President Buchanan’s beloved home.

“Go-At-Your-Own-Pace” Tours are only available on Saturday, August 2. Entry times are every 30 minutes from 10am (first tour entry) until 3pm (last tour entry). Ticket purchase also includes self-guided access to LancasterHistory’s museum exhibitions. Tickets are $17/Adult (14+), $15/Senior (65+), $10/Youth (6-13), and free for children 5 and under. LancasterHistory Members receive complimentary admission. This tour is eligible for our Museums for All rate!

To purchase tickets in advance, please go online or call (717) 392-4633. Advance tickets are strongly recommended.

At Your Own Pace Tour Family-Friendly In-Person Event Tour

August 2, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, PA Tour Entry Every 30 Minutes, 10am - 3pm FREE/Members | $17/Adults (18+) | $15/Seniors (65+) | $10 (11-College ID)
Get Tickets

Wine & Cheese and A Walk in the Trees

Join the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum for a delightful, late summer social! Enjoy refreshing drinks and light bites while taking a leisurely stroll through the many stately trees in the Tanger Arboretum. There will be a brief presentation about the Tanger Arboretum alongside member-led tours of the Arboretum throughout the evening.

5

Member Event - Arboretum Outdoor Tour Reception

September 5, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave, Lancaster 5-7pm

Mr. Buchanan’s Coachman

A black and green colored carriage with four large wheels.
James Buchanan’s Carriage

Learn about James Buchanan’s coachmen: the men who represented him in public and transported him from place to place in his horse-drawn carriage. In addition to learning about who these people were, visitors will also explore the social and practical importance of coachmen in a time before automobiles.

Mr. Buchanan’s Coachman, a special guided tour of Wheatland, will be held on Saturday, September 6. Tours will be available on the hour, beginning at 10am and continuing until the last tour at 3pm. Please Note: These tours are not our regular General Admission tours and will be more focused on a particular topic than a general history of Buchanan and the home.

Tickets are available for purchase online or over the phone by calling (717) 392-4633. Advance reservations are highly recommended as tours may sell out and walk-in tickets may not be available. Members receive complimentary admission, but should reserve their tickets in advance to guarantee the tour time of their choice.

In-Person Event Tour

September 6, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Avenue, Lancaster Tours from 10am - 3pm FREE/Members | $17/Adults (18+) | $15/Seniors (65+) | $10 (11-College ID)
Get Tickets

Domestic Help Wanted

LancasterHistory Volunteers & Staff portray domestic workers who were employed at Wheatland in a reenactment in 2019.

Step back in time to Wheatland in 1867 and meet the retired president and his housekeeper, Miss Hetty Parker, as they hire new staff to manage daily life around the mansion. Rosanna and Thomas Gordon resigned in April, leaving Wheatland short-staffed. Miss Hetty is looking for help maintaining a home along with managing her personal responsibilities.

Domestic Help Wanted, a living history tour of Wheatland, will be held on Saturday, October 4. Tours will be available on the hour, beginning at 10am and continuing until the last tour at 3pm. Please Note: These tours are not our regular General Admission tours and will not be Buchanan-focused. Living History Tours are an immersive and interactive experience that can incorporate historical tools, activities, and dress to give observers or participants a sense of stepping back in time. 

Tickets are available for purchase online or over the phone by calling (717) 392-4633. When booking online, be sure to first select the date of October 4, followed by the time of your choice. Advance reservations are highly recommended as tours may sell out and walk-in tickets may not be available. Members receive complimentary admission, but must reserve their tickets in advance.

In-Person Event Living History Performance Tour

October 4, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 North President Avenue, Lancaster, PA Tours 10am - 3pm FREE/Members | $17/Adults (18+) | $15/Seniors (65+) | $10 (11-College ID)
Get Tickets

Fall Seasonal Gathering Tour

The Black Maple starting to change colors in October 2022.
The Black Maple starting to change colors in October 2022.

Join the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum for their Fall Seasonal Gathering Tour on Saturday, October 25 at 10am. Tanger Arboretum Board Members will lead attendees on a walking tour through the Arboretum to take in the changing of the seasons through vibrant fall colors, ornamental trees, and the pollinator gardens in the Tanger Arboretum.

HOW TO REGISTER
The event, “Fall Seasonal Gathering Tour,” will take place on Saturday, October 25 at 10am at LancasterHistory. Tickets are $10/Adult (18+) and $5/Child. Friends of the Tanger Arboretum members receive complimentary admission, but should still register for the program. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling (717) 392-4633. Advance tickets recommended as the program has limited capacity. The tour will last approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. If you would like to attend but have questions or concerns about the accessibility of the walking route, please contact Emily Miller at (717) 392-4633, ext. 133 or emily.miller@lancasterhistory.org for more information.

The Friends of the Tanger Arboretum is a member of the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admission Program. AHS Reciprocal Admission Program members may register for tickets in advance and must show a valid membership card upon checking in. AHS Members should contact Emily Miller, emily.miller@lancasterhistory.org, with any questions or to register for tickets in advance.

This event is hosted by the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum. The Friends of the Tanger Arboretum, a subsidiary organization of LancasterHistory, helps foster public interest in, and support for, the maintenance and development of the Tanger Arboretum as a community asset. To learn more about the Arboretum or to become a member, please visit the Arboretum’s webpage.

In-Person Event Outdoor Tour

October 25, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster 10am $10/Adults (18+) | $5/Children | FREE for Friends of the Tanger Arboretum Members
Get Tickets

Campus of History Cheer

Get in the holiday spirit with Campus of History Cheer, a festive event filled with fun for the whole family! From tours of Wheatland to live music, kids’ activities, and a cookie station, there’s something merry and bright for everyone.

More information and tickets coming in November!

Family-Friendly Holiday In-Person Event Tour

December 6, 2025 LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, PA