Black and white photo of President James Buchanan and his 7 cabinet members. Buchanan stands in center with his left hand resting on the left page of a large open book.
Balloon back walnut chairs with serpentine splat. Louis XV style back is rounded and finger molded with no additional carving. Flaring upholstered seat-black horsehair-with serpentine front with beaded molding at bottom of skirt. Cabriole front legs, rounded, with slightly curved square back legs terminating on flat feet.
Artifacts mentioned by Ara Hatch in New York Dalily Times 11/10/1856. Person had visited Wheatland.
Height (cm)
87.15248
Height (ft)
2.8593333333
Height (in)
34.312
Width (cm)
45.72
Width (ft)
1.5
Width (in)
18
Depth (cm)
40.9575
Depth (ft)
1.34375
Depth (in)
16.125
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-04-20
Condition Notes
Reupolstered; James Buchanan Foundation records indicate the seats were originally covered in green morrocan leather.
Object ID
W.1936.001.015
Notes
The chair was presumed to belong to James Buchanan by the James Buchanan Foundation representatives in 1936 when they bought certain furnishings that were still in the mansion during the Willson-Rettew Estate sale.
Mentioned by Ara Hatch in the N.Y. Daily Times (visited Wheatland 10 November 1856.)
Crest of top rail, finger-molded in scalloped shaped. Horizontal splat curved upward, terminating in scroll on each end, thicker at middle. Seat is shield shape, serpentine front. Legs plain cabriole, back legs square and canted. 36.14.3 differs from 36.
White ribbon. In black letters: "Paradise Club./ ---/ Pennsylvania's/ Favorites./ (seal of PA)/ For President./ JAS. BUCHANAN./ For Vice President./ JNO. C. BRECKINRIDGE"
Bathrobe/Dressing Gown Belonging to James Buchanan
Description
Silk dressing gown/bathrobe that belonged to James Buchanan. The garment is constructed of fabric with designs of brown, tan and orange on a blue background on the long sleeves, collar and front opening.
Cording trim edges the collar, front opening and hems as well as edges of front slash pockets and sleeves.Three pairs of decorative 'frogs' of cording with ties on front are used for closure. There is a separate thick tie belt of woven cording with tassel ends. Links of cording attached to two covered buttons on both sides are belt loops.
The navy blue silk that lines the garment is machine-stitched to the soft fleece lining.
Provenance
Miss Elizabeth M. Hause of West Chester, PA, daughter of the late Judge J. Frank E. Hause, gave the dressing gown to the Society in Oct. 1940. She included a note penned on Dec. 21, 1920 by Dr. L.T. Bremerman of Downingtown, PA.
"My Dear Judge Hause:
The history of the 'dressing gown' as near as I can glaen, is that it was presented to James Buchanan when he was Minister at the Courth of Saint James, by eith the Chinese of Japanese* Minister.
Prior to his death President Buchanan gave it to Col. J.B.Baker who was related to him. Col. Baker's son J.B. Baker, Jr. gave it to me, and it has always been greatly prized by me. In presenting it to you, on account of its historic relation, to say nothing of the esteem in which I hold your Honor, if you have as much pleasure in its possession as I have in presenting it to you, we are mutually happy. With best wishes and the Compliments of the season, I am,
Sincerely Yours,
L. T. Bremerman"
*Japanese is incorrect.
In pencil, Eliz. Hause wrote: "Dr. Bremerman has been deceased for a number of years."
Lower edge at bottom of right hand sleeve is frayed and torn. (He must have been right-handed since the left lower sleeve shows little damage/wear.) Heavy fraying and wear on the neck edge. Collar is detached from neck edge in back and 10 inches of back center seam is apart, revealing soft fleece lining between outer fabric and navy blue inner lining. Silk separating on lower back lining.
Large dark stain on the center back lining 18 inches above the hem.
Rectangular top inset with brown/black leather. Molded edge, straight flat sides. Two longer sides have two drawers, each with two round concave areas with small knobs at center. Four legs with bun-and-cylinder turned feet. Legs taper down to feet with two buns terminating on the smaller bun foot.
Leaded wine glass with round foot, thickens near stem. Stem is wide near foot and tapers to a narrow shaped stem before slightly flaring wide near base of bowl. Eight faceted. Facets extend up to the bowl of the glass and ends in scallops. Body has slightl flare.
American Sheraton Windsor Arrow Back Arm Chair. Made from pine, maple, poplar, and tulip woods. Chair has four vertical flattened spindles. Stretchers on sides are lower than stretchers in front and back.
Provenance
Buchanan, James
To - Buchanan Edward Y. (Brother)
To - Ewing, Alice Conyngham Buchanan (EYB Daughter)
To - Brooke, Cornelia Lausdale Ewing (ABEwing Daughter)
