Open Mon – Sat, 9:30am – 5pm | Wheatland Tours 10am – 3pm
In many ways, Buchanan’s presidency was a failure. While we regularly discuss those failures from a political perspective, there is one other fatal flaw to his presidency that lurks at a microscopic level. Indeed, as Buchanan made fatal decisions during his term in office, his body suffered the fatal error of his choice in hotel […]
Read MoreA Marriage in High Life While the month of January can be a quiet time at Wheatland today, it was not so quiet in 1866. In the chill of midwinter, Wheatland prepared for a wedding. Wedding guests filled the rooms, a chef prepared a special dinner, and family gathered together for the wedding of Harriet […]
Read MoreWhen guests visit Wheatland and learn about the Yuletide traditions during Buchanan’s time, many ask if Buchanan was a humbug. This question arises after hearing stories of Buchanan not celebrating with the same pomp and circumstance that we associate with the holiday today. In today’s blog post, we’ll look at some of the reasons why […]
Read MoreFabric brings all garments to life, from the simplest shift to the trimmed gown. And though fabric serves as a canvas for skilled craftsmanship, it also serves a function to the wearer. Come hot summer days, or cold winter mornings, certain fabrics help regulate the wearer’s temperature. Introducing the Four Main Natural Fibers The four main […]
Read MoreWhen discussing mourning dress, people generally think of the Victorian era more than any other era in history. Though it remained part of a person’s wardrobe for many years prior, the Victorian era likely holds the most fame because Queen Victoria wore mourning dress for forty years after the loss of her husband, Prince Albert. […]
Read MoreOf the many doors at Wheatland, the doors to the icehouse and smokehouse catch the eye the most. One door “floats” on the second floor with no visible stairs to access it. The other seems normal enough, but holds a surprise upon opening. These doors typically remained closed, but in today’s blog post, we’re going […]
Read MoreWhen it comes to the outbuildings at Wheatland, many are familiar with the privy and the icehouse/smokehouse. These original 1828 outbuildings flank both ends of the Wheatland mansion from the back. But a few more outbuildings stood on the grounds at Wheatland. Though they no longer remain on the property, illustrations, photographs, and descriptions clue […]
Read MoreWhen discussing women’s clothing and Victorian hygiene, one question comes up in the minds of many. How did Victorian women use the restroom with multiple layers of clothing? To the modern person, the idea seems impossible, but it was not nearly as complex as it may seem. In fact, the construction of clothing, particularly the […]
Read MoreIn the Sitting Room at Wheatland, a pretty impressive desk quickly catches the eyes of visitors. The desk is made of hand-carved teakwood, including the inside well at the center. A set of faux drawers add detail to the front of the desk, whereas real drawers provide function at the back. Though this desk resides […]
Read MoreIn times of company, Buchanan often joked that Wheatland stretches. As people came to visit, the rooms morphed and changed to accompany their needs. If the bedchambers on the second floor were filled, then rooms in the attic turned into guest rooms. Guests would then settle into bedchambers, shifting people about in the spaces upstairs. […]
Read MoreThe nickname for the long cigars, “stogies,” came from the Conestoga Wagons which originated in Lancaster County.
Notifications