LANCASTER, Pa. – Learn about the reactions of President James Buchanan and his companions as they discuss the recent assassination of President Abraham Lincoln at Wheatland, Buchanan's home. On Saturday, May 3, LancasterHistory will present a unique Living History tour that, through a theatrical experience, will relay the emotions and thoughts of Lincoln's contemporaries and the shock that gripped the nation.
 

On the evening of April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States and successor to James Buchanan, attended a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. There, he was shot in the head by actor John Wilkes Booth, a known Confederate sympathizer and proponent of anti-abolitionism. The brutal act shocked the nation, sending the United States into an extended period of mourning. During LancasterHistory's Living History tour on May 3, visitors will listen in on conversations at Wheatland between domestic workers, Miss Hetty Parker and her sister Harriet Parker, Miss Annie Buchanan (Buchanan's niece), James Buchanan, and Buchanan's lawyer, Hiram Swarr, as they attempt to process the events of April 14 and 15 and what may happen to the nation--and its new president, Andrew Johnson--next. 

The Nation Is Plunged in Grief will take place on Saturday, May 3. The guided tours commence every hour, beginning at 10am and concluding with the final tour at 3pm. It’s important to note that the majority of the tour experience will be a theatrical performance or living history tour. Living History Tours are a unique interactive experience that can incorporate historical tools, activities, and dress to give observers or participants a sense of stepping back in time. The tour will feature brief meetings with domestic workers, James Buchanan, and other friends and companions, set against the backdrop of Wheatland's period rooms. Each room will feature dedicated volunteers, enacting their roles, and giving insights into the lives of 19th century individuals processing Lincoln's assassination and the political turmoil of the time.
 

Tickets for tours can be booked online or by phoning (717) 392-4633. Reservations are strongly advised as slots may fill up quickly, and walk-in tickets might not be available. Members can enjoy the tour free of charge but must reserve their spots in advance. Discounts are available for AAA members, active military and veterans, and SNAP EBT and WIC cardholders. Inquire for more information by calling (717) 392-4633 in advance.

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 life and legacy of Congressman Thaddeus Stevens, his house manager, Lydia Hamilton Smith, and America’s 15th President, James Buchanan.
 

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