On Presidents’ Day, February 20, tour Wheatland to learn about James Buchanan’s fervent ambition and repeated attempts to secure the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination in the mid-1800s. While Buchanan would go on to be the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee and win the presidency in 1856, he tried—and failed—in 1844, 1848, and 1852. In this tour, visitors will learn about Buchanan’s multiple attempts to secure the nomination and the strain those attempts placed on his relationships with the presidents who preceded him. They’ll discover why James K. Polk, the 11th President, grew irritated with Buchanan, his Secretary of State, and why Franklin Pierce, the 14th President, sent Buchanan away to be his Minister to Great Britain.

An Ardent Desire for the Presidency, a special guided tour of Wheatland, will be held on Monday, February 20. 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. When booking online, be sure to first select the date of February 20, followed by the tour 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 should reserve their tickets in advance to guarantee the tour time of their choice.

Program description updated on 2/6/23.