LANCASTER, PA – This Presidents' Day, LancasterHistory invites the community to visit President James Buchanan's Wheatland for a special subject tour, "There is No Candidate Named James Buchanan," to learn about President James Buchanan and Congressman Thaddeus Stevens, and how Buchanan ran a successful campaign from his beloved home, Wheatland.

In 1856, James Buchanan became the Democratic Party’s candidate for president, running his campaign from his Lancaster home. In response to the nomination, Buchanan’s colleague and fellow Lancastrian, Thaddeus Stevens, said, “There is no candidate named James Buchanan… Nothing remains but a platform and a bloated mass of political putridity.” Despite Stevens' reservations, the campaign not only secured Buchanan’s election but also secured local support for Buchanan as Lancaster’s president.

"In mid-19th century America, the central hub of presidential campaigns was much more local than today's campaigns. Presidential candidates didn't travel across the United States to give speeches; they stayed at home while others spoke on their behalf, " said Stephanie Celiberti, Manager of President James Buchanan's Wheatland. "In 1856, Buchanan turned Wheatland into his campaign headquarters, where he welcomed the white male voters to his door in a much more personalized setting. However, he also used Wheatland as political strategy to merge his local fame with his national fame. But while it created a strong sense of attachment amongst Lancaster voters and the greater public, it caused concern to Buchanan's neighbor and political counterpart, Thaddeus Stevens."

"There is No Candidate Named James Buchanan," a special subject tour, will be offered on Monday, February 16 with tours on the hour from 10am until 3pm. Due to the holiday, advance tickets are strongly recommended and walk-in tickets may not be available. Tour tickets are available for purchase online or over the phone by calling 717.392.4633. LancasterHistory Members receive complimentary admission, but should reserve their tickets in advance to guarantee the tour time of their choice.

About LancasterHistory
LancasterHistory is a community-based, not-for-profit organization established to educate the public on the history of Lancaster County and its place in the history of Pennsylvania and the United States, to advance the missions of regional historical organizations, and to promote the acquisition, preservation, and interpretation of resources representing the history of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania within the broader context of state and national history, including the homes of 15th US President James Buchanan and Congressman Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith.