Buchanan, James, House
Also known as: Wheatland
Why it's listed
Built in 1828 for William Jenkins, who named it Wheatland, this square brick Federal-style house stands on the western edge of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It has two-and-a-half stories, north and south wings, a gable roof, and a one-story portico framing an arched doorway with a fanlight. The house contains 17 rooms, and much of its furniture belonged to its best-known resident. James Buchanan bought the estate in 1849 and lived there until his death on June 1, 1868. He served as the 15th President of the United States from 1857 to 1861, leading the country through the years of sectional conflict before the Civil War. About four and a quarter acres of landscaped grounds surround the house, which retains its original site and has been spared major alteration. Around 20,000 people attended his funeral, reflecting his continued local popularity. The property is regarded as the place most closely tied to Buchanan during his national career.
Significance in brief: The house is significant as the home of James Buchanan from 1849 until his death in 1868, including the years he served as 15th President of the United States (1857-1861). The nomination describes it as the site most intimately associated with him during his time as a national figure, and Buchanan is presented as a figure of national significance for his presidency during the years leading to the Civil War.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 66000669, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1120 Marietta Ave., Lancaster |
|---|---|
| County | Lancaster County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000669 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1849-1868 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated July 4, 1961 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The house and grounds are maintained in excellent condition and are open to the public; it is owned by the James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland. |
| Acreage | 4.3 |
| Within district | Northeast Lancaster Township Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.04331, -76.33046 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 66000669.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7991883
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.