Oblong shaped walnut veneered container with a back-hinged lid, beveled shape raised central flat area carved with egg-bead molding. Brass 8-point star bail handles are on each end; one handle missing. Brass round keyhole escutcheon is centered on the top front façade of the box with egg & bead molding around the base surmounting four flat-bun shaped feet. Interior features two boxes with back hinged lids as storage compartments for tea leaves. In the center is a circular aperture lined with felt holding a star cut glass mixing bowl to blend tea leaves.
American Rococo Revival Walnut Sofa. The serpentine back centered by a rose and shell scrolled carved crest, the back joined to closed arms, with a serpentine apron and raised on cabriole legs terminating in casters, silk velvet upholstery.
Left earlobe has broken off. Base is chipped. Various smudge marks all over.
Object ID
W.1960.006.001
Notes
James Buchanan Henry inherited this bust when his Uncle James Buchanan died; his cousin, Harriet Lane Johnston inherited the matching bust, which she later donated to the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
James Buchanan Henry bequeathed this bust to his son, Frank Anderson Henry, who donated it to the James Buchanan Foundation in 1960.
Page 192 of "Gleason's Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion" from 1854. Includes an article on James Buchanan with images of him as Minister to England and of Wheatland. Also includes musings on "What is the hardest mode to die?"
Cherry writing desk, front of the desk, 4.25" below the top, has piano hinges that allow the top to converts to a writing surface covered with green felt. When closed, the piece serves as a chest with four progressively larger drawers. Both sides have recessed panels and the chest is supported by four vase and ring-turned legs.
Easgles Nest completed conservation on the image and frame.
Height (cm)
36.195
Height (ft)
1.1875
Height (in)
14.25
Length (cm)
6.985
Length (ft)
0.2291666667
Length (in)
2.75
Width (cm)
41.275
Width (ft)
1.3541666667
Width (in)
16.25
Dimension Details
Dimensions are for frame
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-07-21
Object ID
W.1995.015.001
Notes
Based on the pointed waistline of her bodice, this photograph was likely taken in Washington DC while she was the First Lady and before the year 1860. This style was at the height of fashion in the mid-1850s and quickly disappeared in the year 1860, when the straight waistline came into fashion.
An oyster shell-shaped serving dish. Made from a hard-paste porcelain china manufactured at the Sèvres factory in France. Decorated and sold by Haviland, the decor consists of maroon and gilt boarders on a white background, gilt rings and highlights.
Provenance
Johnston, Harriet Lane
To - cousin, Riddle, Katherine W.
To - sister, Riddle, Anna S.
To - cousins, Coe, Sara W. & Coe, W. Travers To - Murphy, Elsie B. of Charles Town, W. VA. To - Governor's Mansion Virginia by Ms. Murphy's sister, Fletcher, Mrs. Robert.
Raised bust profile of Buchanan in center on obverse with 'Hon. James Buchanan' around edge. Reverse: Raised circular wreath with 'Buchanan-The Crisis Demands His Election' in the center and 'The Union one and Indivisible' around edge with star at bottom
Cane made of maple owned by James Buchanan. Long, tapered with tip and 2-part handle of ivory. Handle grip is in the shape of a lily or trumpet flower. Lower section is elaborately carved w/ high-relief eagle on a background of leaves, stars and banner w/ "E PLURIBUS UNUM". Inscribed in black on side of handle in script is "James Buchanan / from E.C.L." Believed to be gift of Elizabeth Chapman Lawrence, friend of Buchanan and Harriet Lane.
Provenance
Descent from Buchanan to James B. Lane, grand nephew, then to donor's husband, grandson of J. B. Lane.
Cracks in handle and separation. Stains on wood. Ivory tip scarred.
Object ID
W.89.58
Notes
The cane was owned by James Buchanan and at his death given to James B. Lane, his grand nephew. It was passed down to the donors husband as grandson of James B. Lane.
Political ribbon. Off-white silk framed ribbon, black printing with detailed bust of James Buchanan with his signature below. Maker's mark on ribbon '[Daguerreotype by Brody' 'Engraved by J.C. But[tre]'
Political ribbon. Robin's-egg-blue color silk, possibly faded. Printed bust of James Buchanan with 'For President James Buchanan For Vice-President John C. Breckenridge. We Po'ked 'em in '44, We Pierced 'em in '52, And we'll 'Buck 'em' in '56.' Maker's m
Silk political ribbon. Champagne pink silk, possibly faded. Printed bust of James Buchanan with 'For President James Buchanan For Vice President John C. Breckenridge. We Po'ked 'em in '44, We Pierced 'em in 52, And We'll 'Buck 'em' in '56.' Maker's mark
American Empire straight-front sideboard with crotch-grain veneered oblong gallery. The upper front has a shallow overhang with a wide center drawer and two replacement glass pulls. Front also has two end drawers with original spiral cut glass pulls. Below the frieze is a double-door cupboard flanked by single door cupboards faced with crotch-grain veneer with slightly sunk oblong panels, each fitted with brass-keyhole surrounds. The freeze surmounts four turned and reeded pilasters with bull-nose trim along the apron. The piece stands on eight turned legs terminating on bun feet.
Provenance
James Buchanan
To Harriet Lane Johnston
Purchased by Julius Friedrick Sachse at a Lancaster Auction
Bequeathed to Samuel B. Sadtler, Great Grandson to Mr. Sachse
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.
Dark Brown Leather, Tan Suede, Stitched Seat. Red, Blue, Green, and Cream Woven Girth. Quilted Padding Underneath. Tulip Motif Painted on Saddle in Red, Green and Brown. Maker's Mark - 'H. Pinkerton, Maker, Lancaster'
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)
Green and black Rock-A-Way carriage. Carriage is to be pulled by a 2-horse team. Green body with black accents. Four black leather roll-down windows, secured in rolled position by black leather straps with brass buckles. Interior has two bench seats; one facing
The design of Buchanan's carriage allows up to four passengers to ride inside and provides space for one or two drivers (outside). When the carriage doors are closed, a flap covers the steps to protect them from mud and dirt while traveling. When the door is opened, the flap retracts to reveal a clean step.
Provenance
James Buchanan
Sold by Buchanan's Estate in 1868
In 1908 owned by Richard P. McGrann of Lancaster, PA who had restored it in the 1880s.
McGrann gifted it to - Katherine K. Stewart, daugheter to Elise Foster Cassatt Stewart & William P. Stewart. Granddaughter to Maria Lois Buchanan Cassatt and Alexander Johnston Cassatt.
The carriage was sold at the auction house of George F. Adams in 1963 to the James Buchanan Foundation.
1.) Collins, Herbert Ridgeway, 'Presidents on Wheels', Bonaza Books: New York, nd. 2.) The Museums at Stony Brook, 'The Carriage Collection', The Museums at Stony Brook: New York, 1986. 3.) Smith, Don. 'The Pecularities of the Presidents', Ohio. 4.) Edit
Height (ft)
9
Width (ft)
6
Depth (ft)
12
Condition
Excellent
Condition Date
2022-12-07
Object ID
W.1989.087.001
Notes
1970 Amos Lapp's Carriage Works, Intercourse, PA refinished original springs, wheels, chassis, and body panels. Fabric top and upholstery were replaced. Had been refinished and painted black c. 1885-1908.