On August 16, 1858, President James Buchanan received the first public message sent across the Trans-Atlantic Telegraph Cable. Queen Victoria’s 98-word message took 16.5 hours to travel from Ireland to Newfoundland. In this Special Subject Tour, attendees will learn how such a feat was achieved and the diplomatic impact it had on the UK and the USA.

The Trans-Atlantic Cable, a special guided tour of Wheatland, will be held on Saturday, August 5. 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 August 5, 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.