Category: Presidents

President James Buchanan’s Wheatland

Lancaster PA – August 2021

This is Wheatland, home of James Buchanan, our 15th president, who served 1857-1861. He has widely been considered our worst president, primarily due to his responses to the growing hostilities leading up to the Civil War.
Rear of the house.
Entrance foyer.
Dining room.
From Buchanan’s cellar, his own 1827 Red Seal Madeira. The label also reads: Per ship “Wanderer” from India Bottled 1832.
The room from which he ran his 1856 presidential campaign.
Portrait of Buchanan.
Buchanan never married; he was our only bachelor president (Grover Cleveland was a bachelor when he became president, and he was married in the White House while president in 1886). Buchanan’s niece Harriet Lane served as Buchanan’s First Lady while he was president. Prior to his presidency Buchanan served as Minister to the Court of St. James in England. During this time, Harriet impressed Queen Victoria, and the two remained very good friends until the queen’s death in 1901. The two drawings on the wall in this room are autographed pictures of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
President Buchanan’s desk.
Buchanan’s library.
Buchanan’s bedroom. He died in this bed in 1868.
In the Lancaster Museum, this was Buchanan’s desk.
Buchanan’s limousine carriage.
Statue of President Buchanan in Buchanan Park, a couple blocks away from Wheatland.
Grave of President James Buchanan.

Berkeley/Plantations

Charles City County VA – May 2021

Berkely Plantation

Berkeley Plantation is one of the most historic homes in America. It was the sight of the first Thanksgiving, in 1619.

It was the site of the first Whiskey Distillery in the New World in 1621.

One of the first Ship Yards in the New World.

The 18-gun Man Of War was constructed here for the Revolutionary War.

Berkeley was the home of Benjamin Harrison, signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was also the father of William Henry Harrison, 9th president of the US (1841), who was born here in 1773. Also the great-grandfather of Benjamin Harrison, 23rd president of the US (1889-1893).

“Taps” was composed here in 1862.

President Abraham Lincoln landed here in 1862 to confer with General McClellan and to view the troops.

Memorial to the first Thanksgiving.
Whiskey Distillery exhibit.

Greenway Plantation

This is the birthplace of John Tyler, 10th president of the US (1841-1845). Greenway is a private residence and not open to the public.

Sherwood Forest Plantation

It is considered the longest A-frame house in America.

Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington VA – March 2021

Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.
Grave of President William Howard Taft, 27th president of the US (1909-1913), and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (1921-1930).
Grave of John F. Kennedy, 35th president of the US (1961-1963).
Supreme Court Justices graves.
Oliver Wendell Holmes
Admiral Rickover was the “Father of the Nuclear Navy”.
Omar Bradley was out last 5-star general.
Alexander Haig served as President Ronald Reagan’s Chief of Staff.
Custis Mansio. This was Robert E. Lee’s house before the Civil War.

President James K. Polk Birthplace

Pineville NC – November 2020

James Knox Polk was our 11th President. He was born here in Pineville NC in 1795.
The house no longer stands, but there are some reconstructed buildings onsiite that are typical of that time period.
There is a small museum dedicated to President Polk on the state park grounds.
President Polk, was a “dark horse”, an upset winner for the 1844 Democrat Party nomination, and then for the presidency.
President Polk served one term, 1845-1849, and died shortly after leaving office in 1849 at age 53.
The Mexican War was fought during President Polk’s term. This is the actual dress hat worn by Mexican General Santa Ana.