The 227th anniversary of President James Buchanan’s birthday will be commemorated on April 28, 2018, and features the annual presentation of the White House wreath at the President’s grave site at Woodward Hill Cemetery, starting at 10am. A birthday celebration will follow at Wheatland from 12-2pm. Both events are free and open to the public.

The day’s events begin at 10am at Woodward Hill Cemetery with the Presidential Wreath-Laying Ceremony. The ceremony includes historical commentary provided by the Presiding Officer of Pennsylvania’s National Guard, 328th Brigade Support Battalion, and the 56th Brigade Combat Team. Additional remarks will be given by Lancaster City Mayor Danene Sorace, County Commissioner Joshua G. Parsons, and Pennsylvania State Representative Keith J. Greiner. The James Buchanan Elementary School 5th Grade Chorus will sing the National Anthem after which two 5th Grade students, in historic costume, will present the Presidential Wreath at Buchanan’s tomb. Additional ceremony participants include Reverend Geoffrey Kohler (Past of Lancaster’s First Presbyterian Church), Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard, and the Lancaster Fencibles, President Buchanan’s historic guard.

Following the ceremony, the public is invited by the students and Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) of James Buchanan Elementary School to President James Buchanan’s Wheatland for a 227th Birthday Celebration. Free tours of the President’s beloved home, Wheatland, are available from 12pm until 2pm with a tour beginning every 15 minutes from LancasterHistory.org’s main building, and the last free tour beginning at 1:45pm. These tours will be led by Buchanan Elementary students as they interpret the history of Wheatland, James Buchanan, his family, and his life. Enjoy a slice of James Buchanan’s birthday cake with some punch provided through the generosity of the James Buchanan Elementary School PTO. If you would like to reserve your free ticket to a tour, please click the ticket button below.