Spring Break trip to Hershey, PA (Or will drive 7 1/2 hours for free chocolate) Part 4
On Wednesday afternoon, we left the Hershey Kiss streetlamped streets and headed south to Lancaster, PA. Apparently, a great number of "Rineers" live in the Lancaster, PA area. The girls and I did not head to Lancaster to find distantly related to us Rineers (of course they would not be related to me at all) but rather to see a former president's residence. Specifically, to see James Buchanan's home in Lancaster. James Buchanan was a US president from 1857-1861- the president before Abraham Lincoln. After serving as President for the US for one term (he did not seek a reelection), he retired to Lancaster, PA at Wheatland, his mansion. It was Wheatland that the girls and I went to tour.
James Buchanan has been dubbed "the worst US president." Yikes! I can think of two presidents in recent history whom I would place as front runners in the "worst president" designation. One was impeached and one obdurately claims that his presidency was scandal free (despite numerous facts which contradict that claim). But with the kids protesting fundamental rights and whatnot, it would probably be judicious for me to keep my political opinions to myself.
So, back to Buchanan and his less than spectacular presidency- he is blamed for failing to keep the Union together during his presidency. He didn't believe in slavery but he thought that each state should be able to decide for itself. He's also blamed for an economic downturn during his presidency.
After his presidency ended, he returned to Pennsylvania, specifically to Lancaster and his home there, Wheatland. Wheatland is a beautiful building on spacious grounds. The day that we visited was extraordinarily windy and as such was not comfortable to walk around in for long periods of time. So, we didn't walk the grounds much at all. Of course the tour of Wheatland was inside.
We had a tour guide inside Wheatland who was dressed in period clothes and spoke in a manner and inflection that a gentleman in the mid 1800's a la Buchanan would have employed. He was a great tour guide. Between his clothing and manner of speech, not to mention being surrounded by furnishing from the 19th century, one could imagine life in Wheatland when the master of the house lived there. Most of the furniture was original. Our guide regaled us with interesting facts and tidbits about much of the furnishings.
Here are a few facts about James Buchanan that I found interesting:
James Buchanan has been dubbed "the worst US president." Yikes! I can think of two presidents in recent history whom I would place as front runners in the "worst president" designation. One was impeached and one obdurately claims that his presidency was scandal free (despite numerous facts which contradict that claim). But with the kids protesting fundamental rights and whatnot, it would probably be judicious for me to keep my political opinions to myself.
So, back to Buchanan and his less than spectacular presidency- he is blamed for failing to keep the Union together during his presidency. He didn't believe in slavery but he thought that each state should be able to decide for itself. He's also blamed for an economic downturn during his presidency.
After his presidency ended, he returned to Pennsylvania, specifically to Lancaster and his home there, Wheatland. Wheatland is a beautiful building on spacious grounds. The day that we visited was extraordinarily windy and as such was not comfortable to walk around in for long periods of time. So, we didn't walk the grounds much at all. Of course the tour of Wheatland was inside.
We had a tour guide inside Wheatland who was dressed in period clothes and spoke in a manner and inflection that a gentleman in the mid 1800's a la Buchanan would have employed. He was a great tour guide. Between his clothing and manner of speech, not to mention being surrounded by furnishing from the 19th century, one could imagine life in Wheatland when the master of the house lived there. Most of the furniture was original. Our guide regaled us with interesting facts and tidbits about much of the furnishings.
Here are a few facts about James Buchanan that I found interesting:
- He is the only president from the state of Pennsylvania
- He is the only president to have remained a bachelor his entire life
- He raised a niece and a nephew from early ages after their parents died. So, while he had no children of his own, he was a guardian.
- He's one of three elected presidents to not seek a second term. When he ran for president, he stated that he would only serve one term. He remained true to his word. He didn't seek his party's nomination for a second term. When Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1860, Buchanan said to him, "Sir, if you are as happy in entering the White House, as I shall feel on returning to Wheatland, you are a happy man indeed."
Here are a few pictures from our visit to Wheatland. Photography was allowed but not with a flash.
Wheatland
This is the back of Wheatland and the entrance through which we came.
Our guide's talk on the china was FASCINATING (to me). The girls found it boring. I'm sure I would have too at their ages.
Not a great picture but you can tell the sitting room is pretty
This desk was the desk Buchanan used when he was president. It was in the White House.
All of the window treatments are original.
The library
The newspapers are really from back in the day- the drink, hopefully, is not.
This is a picture of Buchanan's VP, John Breckinridge. It was kind of tucked away- our guide said that was likely on purpose. Buchanan didn't know his running mate well and most speculate he picked Breckinridge because he was from the South and Buchanan wanted Southern states to vote for him.
Buchanan's niece's room with original furniture
The grounds were pretty but the weather made spending time outside unpleasant.
Also on the property was a visitor's center and small museum. It had an exhibit regarding Pennsylvania's role in the liberty- everything from the constitution to the women's suffrage movement.
Wheatland
This is the back of Wheatland and the entrance through which we came.
Our guide's talk on the china was FASCINATING (to me). The girls found it boring. I'm sure I would have too at their ages.
This desk was the desk Buchanan used when he was president. It was in the White House.
All of the window treatments are original.
The library
The newspapers are really from back in the day- the drink, hopefully, is not.
This is a picture of Buchanan's VP, John Breckinridge. It was kind of tucked away- our guide said that was likely on purpose. Buchanan didn't know his running mate well and most speculate he picked Breckinridge because he was from the South and Buchanan wanted Southern states to vote for him.
Buchanan's niece's room with original furniture
Also on the property was a visitor's center and small museum. It had an exhibit regarding Pennsylvania's role in the liberty- everything from the constitution to the women's suffrage movement.
Comments
Post a Comment