James Buchanan Birthday Celebration & Wreath Laying Ceremony

The day’s events begin at 10:00 AM at Woodward Hill Cemetery for the Presidential Wreath-Laying Ceremony. The Ceremony includes a historical view about James Buchanan by Brigadier General Andrew P. Schafer Jr., who is Deputy Commanding General-Support, 28th Infantry Division. Lancaster Mayor Rick Gray will be providing additional perspective on the life and times of James Buchanan. Another special guest is the 15th President’s historic guards, the Lancaster Fencibles; they will present a black powder-gun salute at the Cemetery. Patrick Clarke, Director of Wheatland, will speak on behalf of LancasterHistory.org in character as James Buchanan Henry, the President’s nephew. The Ceremony concludes with the Presidential Wreath being placed at James Buchanan’s tomb by Brigadier General Schafer with assistance from two Buchanan Elementary School students, Nico Thomas as James Buchanan and Anne McIllvaine as Miss Harriet Lane, the 15th President’s First Lady and niece.

Following the Ceremony the public is invited by the students and PTO of James Buchanan Elementary School to President James Buchanan’s Wheatland for a 224th Birthday Celebration. Free tours of the President’s beloved home, Wheatland, are available from 12 Noon until 2:00 pm with a tour beginning every 15 minutes and the last free tour beginning at 1:45. These tours will be led by the Buchanan Elementary School students as they interpret the history of Wheatland, James Buchanan, his family and his life. Enjoy a slice of James Buchanan’s birthday cake with some punch provided through the generosity of the James Buchanan Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (PTO.)