FAQs

LancasterHistory is located at 230 North President Avenue, Lancaster, PA. An alternate entrance, located at 1120 Marietta Avenue, is currently unavailable. Please use the 230 North President Avenue entrance.

Notice About Google Maps: Visitors using Google Maps to navigate to LancasterHistory may notice that the app may route vehicles to our Wheatland driveway entrance at 1120 Marietta Avenue despite it being closed to vehicular traffic. Please use our entrance at 230 North President Avenue.

Our hours are Mondays - Saturdays from 9:30am to 5pm with Wheatland tours from 10am - 3pm.

The Research Center is open Wednesdays - Fridays and the First Saturday of Every Month, 9:30am - 2pm.

We are closed Sundays and major holidays. We encourage visitors to check out our Exceptions to Hours page where we'll post any outlying closings or change in our normal operating schedule.

Closings due to unforeseen circumstances and inclement weather will be posted as soon as possible on our website, via our phone system, and often through WGAL local news station. We always encourage visitors to be cautious in their travel during inclement weather and be safe.

President James Buchanan's Wheatland is open for in-person tours Mondays - Saturdays from January 21 - November 8, 2025. Tours are available on the hour beginning with the first tour at 10am and concluding with the last tour at 3pm. Visitors should purchase tickets or check-in with pre-purchased tickets in LancasterHistory's museum building.

Looking to visit Wheatland after November 8? Please check back in September/October for more information and tickets for our holiday program and tour, Yuletide at Wheatland!

When Are Tours Offered

President James Buchanan's Wheatland is open for in-person tours Mondays - Saturdays from tours on the hour from 10am (first tour of the day) until 3pm (last tour of the day). To tour Wheatland, visitors must purchase a General Admission or Yuletide at Wheatland General Admission ticket.

Tour Experience, Length, & Route

Regular Season (January - mid-November): A visitor's tour experience begins with the 24-minute film, Buchanan's America: A Nation Divided, in LancasterHistory's Buckwalter Theater. Following the film, visitors will travel a short walk over the mansion where they will be greeted by their tour guide. The group will proceed throughout both floors of the house, which does include traveling staircases with one to two flights. (If visitors have difficulty traversing stairs, please let Visitor Services or tour guides know so alternative accommodations can be provided.) After exiting the mansion, visitors may not re-enter.

Yuletide Season (Mid-November - December): Visitors will check in at the Museum before making a short walk over the the mansion where they will be greeted by their tour guide. The group will proceed throughout both floors of the house, which does include traveling staircases with one to two flights. (If visitors have difficulty traversing stairs, please let Visitor Services or tour guides know so alternative accommodations can be provided.) After exiting the mansion, visitors may not re-enter. The orientation film, Buchanan's America: A Nation Divided, which plays during our regular season will be available to watch if visitors wish to see it, but is not a requirement for the tour.

In total, we recommend guests allot 1.5 - 2 hours for their full Wheatland tour experience. General Admission and Yuletide at Wheatland General Admission includes self-guided access to the museum exhibitions. Including the exhibitions, we recommend allotting 2.5 - 2.75 hours for your full LancasterHistory experience.

All visitors should review our Health & Safety Protocols prior to visiting LancasterHistory.

Tour Guide

Tours are led by one of our knowledgeable volunteers, often in period costume, or a staff member. All staff and volunteers will also follow the instructions of the Health & Safety Protocols.

Welcome! You and the members of your party will want to head to our museum building to purchase tickets or check-in with pre-purchased tickets. Even if you are visiting Wheatland, all visitors must check-in and depart for their tour from our museum building.

On this map of the property, the museum is the building in the black box. Entrances to the building are indicated with gold stars.

No, LancasterHistory, including President James Buchanan's Wheatland, is not a part of the National Park Service. Therefore, we do not accept any National Park Service passes or memberships or have any National Park Service cancellation stamps. While President James Buchanan's Wheatland does appear on the National Park Service's listing of presidential homes, it denotes that it is not owned by the Park Service. The National Park Service promotes all presidents homes, whether they are operated by the Park Service or not.

The Louise Arnold Tanger Arboretum (pronounced “tan’-jer”) 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 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 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 Arboretum is cared for and conserved by the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum, a subsidiary of LancasterHistory.

The Arboretum is open for visitation from dawn to dusk on the grounds of LancasterHistory. There is no cost or admission fee, but donations are accepted. There is no main entrance point and visitors can walk the grounds at their leisure. For more information about visiting the Tanger Arboretum, please click here.

The Arboretum is maintained by the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum, a subsidiary organization of LancasterHistory. The members help care and conserve the Arboretum and enjoy a membership program that provides benefits for programs and garden admission reciprocity. To learn more about becoming involved or becoming a member of the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum, please visit their webpage.

The Friends of the Arboretum also hold a series of events each year for their membership and the public. These events, when available, will be posted on LancasterHistory's Events page.

LancasterHistory accepts Lancaster County Family Museum Passes for General Admission.

Family Museum Passes are available at all 17 public libraries in Lancaster County and the Bookmobile. Passes can be loaned to any Lancaster County adult with a valid public library card.

Passes for LancasterHistory may be redeemed for up to four (4) individuals for General Admission. General Admission includes a guided tour of President James Buchanan's Wheatland home and admission to museum exhibitions. One of your party of four (4) must be an adult (18+). Passes may only be redeemed for walk-in admission (no advance reservations). All visitors are subject to LancasterHistory's current Health & Safety Protocols.

Passes are not valid for a Yuletide at Wheatland tour. Additional guidelines and restrictions below.

Museum Pass Circulation Guidelines:

• Adult check-out only
• One week circulation (see our hours of operation)
• Reserves allowed from any library including bookmobile
• Overdue fines: $1.00 per day/up to $5.00 maximum
• Replacement cost: $7.00 for lost or damaged case
• Due to the popularity of this service, museum passes are not eligible for renewal.

Conditions of Use:

• Valid during regular hours of operation for general admission (see our hours).
• Not valid for Yuletide at Wheatland or other special events. Borrower may want to call ahead.
• Does not apply to group rates.
• Designated for a family of up to 4 people, one of which must be a supervising adult.
• Passes cannot be used for facilitating a group tour (e.g. scouting group, school group, clubs, etc.). Multiple passes may not be used during the same visit. If you are interested in reserving a group tour, please call 717-392-4633 to make a reservation.
• Pass can only be used once during the one week check out/circulation.
• Museum pass may not be used for commercial or for-profit purposes.

Thanks to the Eiserer-Hickey Fund of the Lancaster County Community Foundation for making this program possible.

Yes, we do! LancasterHistory accepts valid SNAP EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards or WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) cards and a valid form of ID for free or reduced admission to our facilities as part of our participation in the Museums for All program.

To receive this benefit, visitors must present their EBT or WIC card and a valid form of ID upon check-in at LancasterHistory. LancasterHistory’s reduced rate for Museums for All is available during normal operating hours for up to four (4) individuals per EBT or WIC card, one of whom must be an adult 18 years or older. For more details, please consult the additional Terms and Conditions below.

LancasterHistory’s Museums for All Rates:

• $3 per Adult 18 years or older
• FREE for Children 17 and under

Terms and Conditions:

• Valid during regular hours of operation for General Admission, Special Subject Tours of Wheatland, Living History Tours of Wheatland, and/or Museum Exhibition Admission.
• Not valid for Yuletide at Wheatland or other special, ticketed events.
• Does not apply to group rates.
• Can not be used in conjunction with other rates or discounts.
• SNAP EBT cards and WIC cards from other states are accepted.

For additional visitor information or to search a list of other participating museums in Museums for All, please visit the Museums for All website.

What Is Museums for All?

Museums for All is a national, branded access program that encourages individuals of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits. It is open to participation by any type of museum and today has over 1,300 participating museums as part of the program. Museums for All is an initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency based in Washington, D.C.

LancasterHistory believes that everyone should be able to access, enjoy, and learn at museums. We want everyone, regardless of economic status, to feel welcome at our facilities. LancasterHistory cares deeply about the health and well-being of its visitors and will not tolerate discriminatory behavior that perpetuates stigma. Those found engaging in discriminatory behavior demeaning to others will be asked to leave the property and will not receive a refund for any purchases.

Yes, we do! To view our multiple options, please visit our Group, Bus, & Private Tours webpage.

Members of LancasterHistory receive exciting benefits that range from free complimentary admission*, member discounts, special subscriptions, and more! Memberships are available for purchase online or over the phone by calling (717) 392-4633.

*Except for special programs and events such as Yuletide at Wheatland

Still photography is permitted for noncommercial use only at LancasterHistory, including President James Buchanan's Wheatland, unless otherwise posted. For the safety of our visitors and collections, the use of tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks is not permitted at any time. Flash photography and video recording is not permitted.

In LancasterHistory's main building, there are multiple chairs where visitors can rest. In President James Buchanan's Wheatland, we encourage guests who may need to rest or sit down ask their guide for a chair. Folding or windsor chairs will be provided where asked by guests.

LancasterHistory offers unsupervised self-check for coats. We do have small, free lockers where guests may lock up any valuables at their own liability. We cannot check any large bags or luggage. Large bags and luggage must remain in your vehicle. Small bags and purses are permitted in the exhibition galleries and in President James Buchanan's Wheatland. No bags are permitted in the Research Center.

We love little History Explorers! However, due to the size of Wheatland and close proximity to historic artifacts, strollers are not permitted in President James Buchanan's Wheatland. Strollers, however, may be used to transport young ones down to the house, but must be left on the porch. This location is unsupervised, and LancasterHistory is not liable for lost, stolen, or damaged strollers left on the porch.

LancasterHistory does allow small or standard strollers in the museum exhibitions. Large strollers, such as double or jogging strollers, are not permitted.

LancasterHistory has ample parking on-site in a parking lot for no cost. Visitors travelling with larger vehicles such as a RV are welcome, but space may be limited and is not guaranteed. There are two large spaces in the parking lot at the front of the main building along an edge that an RV can safely park in. RVs and other motor vehicles are not permitted to park at LancasterHistory overnight.

If you are traveling to Lancaster and are looking for a campground for your RV, Discover Lancaster has helpful information on available campgrounds in the county.

Yes. We highly encourage all visitors to pre-purchase their tickets. Tickets may be available at-the-door, but are not guaranteed. All tickets are timed to allow us to maintain safety and provide an excellent guest experience for all visitors.

To purchase or reserve your tickets, please visit our Ticketing page to select your activity and begin the reservation process.

Tickets may be pre-purchased in advance online or by calling (717) 392-4633. Tickets are available for purchase at-the-door, but are not guaranteed. We highly encourage pre-purchased tickets to avoid disappointment.

While admission for Members is complimentary, we highly encourage Members to make a reservation in advance to secure their desired day/time of visit. At-door admission is not guaranteed due to current capacity limitations.

We encourage visitors to read and review our Health & Safety Protocols for Visitors prior to their visit to learn what LancasterHistory is doing to create a safe environment for visitors and what to expect.

By purchasing a ticket to our facility and/or program, you are agreeing to our Admissions & Programs Terms and Conditions.

2025 Regular Season Admission Prices (Valid for Visits between January 21 - November 8, 2025)

General Admission is $17 for adults (18+),  $15 for seniors (65+), $10 for students (11 - College ID), and free for children (10 and under) with the purchase of an accompanying adult or senior ticket. Family passes are also available for purchase and are valid for two adults or seniors plus two students. Please call (717) 392-4633 if you wish to purchase a Family Pass.

To view additional pricing information for visiting just the Museum Exhibitions or the Research Center, please see our Hours & Admission page.

For Members of LancasterHistory, General Admission is complimentary. Members are recommended to make a reservation to secure their time/day.

By purchasing a ticket to our facility and/or program, you are agreeing to our Admissions & Programs Terms and Conditions.

Admission to the Research Center is $7 for adults (18+), $5 for seniors (65+), and free for both students (11-17) and children 10 and under. Individuals under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult or senior.

Should you have questions or require accommodations of any kind, please let our staff know and we are happy to work with you! You can always contact us by calling (717) 392-4633, ext. 126 or by emailing research@lancasterhistory.org.

Members of LancasterHistory are admitted free of charge, except for special programs or events, but must make a reservation to secure their time/day.

If you feel you may be using the Research Center frequently, we encourage patrons to view the benefits of becoming a member of LancasterHistory. One such benefit is free admission to the Research Center (among other benefits!).

We encourage visitors to read and review our Health & Safety Protocols for Visitors prior to their visit to learn what LancasterHistory is doing to create a safe environment for visitors and what to expect.

By purchasing a ticket to our facility and/or program, you are agreeing to our Admissions & Programs Terms and Conditions.

2025 Regular Season (January 21 - November 8, 2025)

During our Regular Season, we do offer discounts to Seniors, AAA Members, and Veterans and Military Personnel.

Seniors (65+)

• Seniors (65+) receive $2 off the regular Adult ticket.

AAA Members

• Please call and we would be happy to inform you what discounts we offer to AAA members. We can also help you reserve your tickets with your discount. (AAA discount not available when purchasing tickets online.)

Veterans & Military Personnel

• LancasterHistory is proud to participate in Lancaster County's "Thank A Vet" discount program. All Lancaster County veterans with a valid "Thank A Vet" special ID card receive free General Admission. Guests accompanying the veteran or military member will be charged admission.
• United States veterans or active military personnel with a valid ID receive free General Admission. Guests accompanying the veteran or military member will be charged admission.
• To receive your discount, please show a valid special or military ID upon purchasing tickets or call (717) 392-4633 to order your tickets over the phone in advance.

2025 Holiday Season (November 15  - December 30, 2025)

During the holiday season, we do not offer any of the above discounts.

Yes and yes!

LancasterHistory accepts valid SNAP EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards or WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) cards and a valid form of ID for free or reduced admission to our facilities as part of our participation in the Museums for All program.

To receive this benefit, visitors must present their EBT or WIC card and a valid form of ID upon check-in at LancasterHistory. LancasterHistory’s reduced rate for Museums for All is available during normal operating hours for up to four (4) individuals per EBT or WIC card, one of whom must be an adult 18 years or older. For more details, please consult the additional Terms and Conditions below.

LancasterHistory’s Museums for All Rates:

• $3 per Adult 18 years or older
• FREE for Children 17 and under

Terms and Conditions:

• Valid during regular hours of operation for General Admission, Special Subject Tours of Wheatland, Living History Tours of Wheatland, and/or Museum Exhibition Admission.
• Not valid for Yuletide at Wheatland or other special, ticketed events.
• Does not apply to group rates.
• Can not be used in conjunction with other rates or discounts.
• SNAP EBT cards and WIC cards from other states are accepted.

For additional visitor information or to search a list of other participating museums in Museums for All, please visit the Museums for All website.

What Is Museums for All?

Museums for All is a national, branded access program that encourages individuals of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits. It is open to participation by any type of museum and today has over 1,300 participating museums as part of the program. Museums for All is an initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency based in Washington, D.C.

LancasterHistory believes that everyone should be able to access, enjoy, and learn at museums. We want everyone, regardless of economic status, to feel welcome at our facilities. LancasterHistory cares deeply about the health and well-being of its visitors and will not tolerate discriminatory behavior that perpetuates stigma. Those found engaging in discriminatory behavior demeaning to others will be asked to leave the property and will not receive a refund for any purchases.

If you purchased your tickets online, you will receive an email that contains your receipt along with a link to your tickets. This email itself is not your tickets. In the email, a link will be enclosed where you can click to print or view your eTickets. How can you tell what is your eTicket? The eTickets show barcodes that can be scanned by our Visitor Services Associates.

If you purchased your tickets over the phone, you may receive two emails: one (1) with your receipt and a one (1) with a link to your tickets. Please click the link to print or view your eTickets.

Please bring your tickets printed out on paper or available to scan on your mobile device. This makes the check-in process go quickly and smoothly.

It may take a few minutes for our system to email the tickets to the email address you provided during your order process. Tickets will come from the email info@lancasterhistory.org. Ticket emails may also go to your junk or spam folders by accident. Please check those folders to make sure the ticket email was not delivered there by accident.

If you are still unable to locate your tickets, please contact (717) 392-4633 with the name on the order and order number, and a staff member will assist you.

LancasterHistory requires 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule tickets in order to successfully refund or reschedule the visitor. If 24 hours' notice is not given, the visitor is still responsible for payment and LancasterHistory will not refund or reschedule the tickets or any payment made towards it.

Please view our Admissions & Programs Terms and Conditions to learn more.

LancasterHistory participates in the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association program. NARM members receive complimentary General Admission and Museum Exhibition-only Admission and 20% off in the Museum Store. NARM benefits are not extended to special events unless otherwise noted. During Yuletide at Wheatland, NARM members receive the LancasterHistory member discount to Yuletide at Wheatland.

If you are a member of a participating museum or organization, please call 717.392.4633, ext. 100 to reserve your tickets over the phone. (Online redemption of NARM benefits is currently not available.) NARM members must present a valid membership card to Visitor Services upon check-in. The card must have the NARM logo preprinted on the card or placed as a sticker.

LancasterHistory's subsidiary organization, the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum, participates in the American Horticultural Society's Reciprocal Admissions Program. (Online redemption of RAP benefits is currently not available.) If you are a member of a participating garden or organization, please stop at Visitor Services upon your arrival to receive your RAP benefits. RAP members must present a valid membership card to Visitor Services. The card must have a RAP logo upon it or be noted in some way.

RAP members receive complimentary or discounted access to Tanger Arboretum programs and events and 10% off in the Museum Store. RAP benefits are not extended to special events or General Admission for LancasterHistory and President James Buchanan's Wheatland unless otherwise noted.