American Empire brass andirons date to c. 1847-1850. The brass uprights feature small elongated ball-shaped finials with ring-turnings. The top finials surmount larger elongated ball-shaped finials with ring-turnings that surmount octagonal-shaped columns supported by raised scroll bases on ball feet and a wrought iron back for holding logs.
Rococo Revival walnut upholstered Salon Parlor Chair. Carved roses on crest and apron, Cabriole legs terminating in castors. Upholstered in gold damask fabric, chair back is button tufted.
Provenance
Owned by a Buchanan family member
To Elizabeth Hensel Nauman (Dorothy Flinn - donor)
American empire-transitional Victorian armchair. Walnut frames the upholstered back and crest, arm rests have upholstered cushions terminating in a wide scroll surmounting the seat frame that features a serpentine apron. Brocade front legs feature ring-turnings; back legs are squared and canted. Back has slightly arched crest, back rails join to legs that terminate in casters.
Bag made of stiff black leather with a rolled leather handle at top. The handle is attached to a brass-plated iron frame with side hinges. The leather bag opens at the top, is 8.5" deep and has two interior pockets.
Hand painted banner on cream silk with medallion bust of James Buchanan-lower center. Buchanan wearing white tie, black suit, grey hair. Gilt frame around medallion with flower vines curving around. Greyish brown eagle shown perched atop medallion with r
Banner was made for Col. Richard White-White was an Buchanan elector. Banner was carried during campaign in counties of Cambria, Blair, Bedford, Indiana-for Northern Eagle Club of Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
four strands of wicket at one narrow end of the basket is broken off.
Object ID
W.1940.006.001
Notes
In her letter that accompanied the donation, Mrs. Myers informed the museum that "Mrs. Sherry said the basket was used for pretzels.
Mrs. Myers added that "Mrs. Sherry lived on the Old Factory Road near the Old Factory Bridge until about 15 years ago (1925) gave this pretzel basket and bread knife to me. They were given to her by Hetty Parker for whom Mrs. Sherry worked in the Buchanan home for 19 years.
Woven in bunches of five; open, diamond pattern, diagonal weaving. Top two are wrapped bands that are connected by vertical pieces, woven with a wide red ribbon and tied in a bow. Mouth is flared outward, sides are tapered more slightly. Bottom are woven
Provenance
James Buchanan- Hetty Parker- Donor's Grandmother- Mrs. T. Warren Metzger [donor]- Foundation
Commerically advertised as a 'Hat Tub,' this portable tin tub was typically setup for use near the kitchen range. The tub is circular and made of tin with a round center bowl. The sides slant up and out in seven sections; one of the sections is topped with a flat seat for the bather. Each of the seven sections is japanned with a gold stencilled geometric pattern decoration. The underside of the tub is painted green. On one side of the bather's seat is a curved tin strip that holds soap and a bathing sponge. A raised semicircular tin piece creates a seat back.
Mahogany veneer bedstead with a headboard that stands at least twice as high as its scroll cut footboard. The headboard has iron hooks that latch to a corresponding iron pintle on the turned headboard posts. Headboard also features two recessed, crotch grain panels with scroll cut double beaded molding. The crest of the headboard is scroll cut with low relief foliate carvings. Triple ball and ring turnings and acorn finials cap the four hexagonal bedposts, which then terminate on turnip feet.
Hand push-bell. Round base with claw-like design around rounded edge. Tomato-shaped body separated into upper and lower bell by grooved band. Body originally dark blue metallic color with reverse star and 'C' and 'S' scroll pattern. Top has 'stemmed' knob.
Provenance
DAR in memory of Florence Buchanan Barnes
To - James Buchanan Foundation DAR in memory of Florence Buchanan Barnes. Mrs. Barnes father was Arthur Buchanan who was a farmer in Bradford, McKean County, Pennsylvania. Relationship to James Buchanan is unknown.
Bellpull. Yarn braid (green and tan) on edges. Needlepoint and beadwork, simple paisley pattern. Red, clear, and gold beads. Yarn colors are red, gold, greens, and browns. Canvas backing. Brass molded ends with 'c' scroll and eagle and leaf motifs.
Brass end measurements: Top: 2.938' Bottom: 3.625'
Condition
Poor
Condition Date
2023-07-22
Condition Notes
Both brass ends are missing hardware fasteners, decorated material is threadbare and numerous beads are missing. Both the decorated material and the linen backing is dirty.
Object ID
W.1989.374.001
Notes
Belonged to donor's great-great-grandparents in 1850s in New York (Brooklyn).
Covered originally in red velvet with woven gold thread tape at edges. Four plain bracket feet. Flared cushion at bottom. Top of cushion worked in needlepoint- red and white trumpet flowers, leaves forming wreath around white cloth draped cross. Possibly Italian.
Serpentine valance/skirt bead molded at bottom of skirt. Rounded edge at top, elaborate scroll-cut bracket feet with casters. Rectangular in shape, over-stuffed upholstery: black damask horsehair.
Year Range From
1840
Year Range To
1855
Storage Location
Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Northeast Bedchamber
Storage Wall
Room Center
Object Name
Bench, Window
Oither Names
Cushion, Bedchamber
Material
Walnut, Horsehair
Height (cm)
42.2275
Height (ft)
1.3854166667
Height (in)
16.625
Width (cm)
106.68
Width (ft)
3.5
Width (in)
42
Depth (cm)
51.1175
Depth (ft)
1.6770833333
Depth (in)
20.125
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-11-10
Condition Notes
Some nicks and scrapes on veneer. When acquired: benches were covered in green velvet ca 1956, upholstered in red 1981 benches were recovered in black horsehair: The Upholstery Center 201 South Broad Street Lititz, PA 17543 717-627-2331 $55.00 for each
Serpentine valance/skirt bead molded at bottom of skirt. Rounded edge at top, elaborate scroll-cut bracket feet with casters. Rectangular in shape, over-stuffed upholstery: black damask horsehair.
Some nicks and scrapes on veneer. When acquired: benches were covered in green velvet ca 1956, upholstered in red 1981 benches were recovered in black horsehair: The Upholstery Center 201 South Broad Street Lititz, PA 17543 717-627-2331 $55.00 for Each
Bodice, part of 3-pieces made of same fabric. (W.84.40.1, .2, .3) Purple silk-like fabric with matching embellished trims and fringe.
Inside: Main portion of bodice (lining & outer fabric) sewn by machine. 5 front stays: 2 bust dart stays (7-8 inches) on each side; one center front. Pieces of machine-knit fabric sewn at underarms (for sweat absorption?) 4 large hooks sewn at waist level match 4 eyes sewn on waistband to hook bodice and skirt. 6 smaller hooks sewn to bottom interior edge, 3 each side.
Outside back: Stiffening on back opening with 14 overcast holes on both sides for lacing. At top opening, fabric tape that's encased around entire edge of neckline can be pulled to gather low front neckline to fit across the chest. 3/5-inch long lightly gathered trim (with lace edging hand-stitched to upper edge) stitched around neckline. 1-inch wide purple ribbon embellished with white stem and leaves is hand-stitched from V/peak at center front up and over shoulders and down back of bodice ending with two 7.5-inch tails below center back opening. Purple and white fringe trim sewn around edges.
Sleeves: Bell-shaped sleeves trimmed with 2 encircling 2-inch wide bands of purple with purple and white diamond chain design. Top edges are trimmed with short .5-inch purple and white fringe. Lower edges trimmed with 2-inch dark purple fringe. Long sleeves inside out bell-shaped sleeve are constructed of fine fabric with lavish 10-inch trim at bottom.
Provenance
Said to have been worn to James Buchanan's inauguration.
Woman's bodice with purple silk-like fabric with matching embellished trims and fringe. (to match skirts 84.40.3)
Inside: main portion bodice (lining and outer fabric) sewn by machine. 5 front stays: 2 bust darts (7 to 8 inches) on each side; one center front. Pieces of machine-knit fabric sewn at underarms (for sweat?). 4 large hooks sewn at waist level match 4 eyes sewn on waistband to hook bodice and skirt. 6 smaller hooks sewn to bottom interior edge, 3 each side.
Outside back: Stiffening on back opening with 14 overcast holes on both sides for lacing. At top opening, fabric type that's encased around entire edge of neckline can be pulled to gather low front neckline to fit across the chest. 3/5-inch long lightly gathered trim (with lace edging hand-stitched to upper edge) stitched around neckline. l-inch wide purple ribbon embellished with white woven stems and leaves is hand-stitched from V/peak at center front up and over shoulders and down back of bodice ending with two 7.5-inch tails below center back opening. Purple and white fringe trim sewn around edges.
Sleeves: Bell-shaped sleeves trimmed with 2 encircling 2-inch wide bands of purple with purple and white diamond chain design. Top edges are trimmed with short .5-inch purple and white fringe. Lower edges trimmed with 2-inch dark purple fringe. Long sleeves inside outer bell sleeve are constructed of fine fabric (about 7 inches) with lavish 10-inch trim at bottom.
One of three pieces, 2 tops and 1 skirt.
Provenance
Worn to Buchanan's inauguration.
Year Range From
1853
Year Range To
1856
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
Island 2
Storage Cabinet
Unit 12
Storage Shelf
Shelf 3
Object Name
Bodice
Length (cm)
34.29
Length (ft)
1.125
Length (in)
13.5
Width (cm)
53.34
Width (ft)
1.75
Width (in)
21
Dimension Details
21 inches wide, armpit to armpit
13.5 inches, neckline to center front peak below waist
One of two bodices that matches skirt (W.84.40.3) Purple silk contoured garment. Front opening with 11 thread-covered globe buttons on left front. Corresponding .75-inch slit buttonholes on right front. A twelfth button hole is bend over (alteration?). 4 bands of purple ribbon (with white stems and leaves) sewn across the front with 1.5 inches between each on front and back. 4 lower sides are 5-inch openings. Ribbon and fringe trim is mitered at these corners. Center back ends in a point box pleat. Lower fringe around the bottom is 2 inches of dark purple.
Year Range From
1853
Year Range To
1856
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
Island 2
Storage Cabinet
Unit 12
Storage Shelf
Shelf 3
Object Name
Bodice
Length (cm)
50.8
Length (ft)
1.6666666667
Length (in)
20
Width (cm)
58.42
Width (ft)
1.9166666667
Width (in)
23
Dimension Details
20 inches wide underarm to underarm
Condition
Poor
Condition Notes
Without sleeves (raw edge); no collar on neckline finish; two pieces cutout of lower front portion of garment; 2 front darts have been let out; spots; underarm stains; back contour seams let out; raw edges on trim revealed. Dark contrasting thread standing out on outside fabric indicates alteration.
Bodice is one of three pieces (1 skirt & 2 bodices) constructed of same fabric. Purple silk contoured garment. Front opening with 11 thread-covered globe buttons on left front. Corresponding .75-inch slit buttonholes on right front. A twelfth buttonhole is bent over. 4 bands of purple ribbon (with white stems and leaves) sewn across the front with 1.5 inches between each on front and back. 4 lower sides are 5-inch openings. Ribbon and fringe trim is mitered at these corners. Cent back ends in a point box pleat. Lower fringe around the bottom is 2-inch dark purple.
Provenance
Said to have been worn to James Buchanan's inauguration.
11/17/2022: Poor; Without sleeves (raw edge); no collar or neckline finish; two pieces cut out of lower front portion of garment, 2 front darts have been let out; spots, underarm stains; back contour seams let out, raw edges on trim revealed. Dark contrasting running stitch thread standing out on outside fabric indicates alteration.
Large black leatherbound volume with boldly molded and decorated boards having tooling and gilt on both boards and spine. On spine is "Schoolcraft's History of Indian Tribes. / Illustrated by S. Eastman, U.S.A. / Part Third." Longer complete title on title page. Henry R. Schoolcraft. Published by authority of Congress by Lippincottt, Grambo & Co.
Gilt edged pages have elaborate impressed floral and scroll designs with centered American shield. Inside of covers is a large pasted-on panelof dark blue felted fabric with foliate designs. End papers have beautiful wallpaper-like, full-color designs of flowers and leaves in gold, green and red. Inscribed in pencil is "JBH Jr." on tissue page covering title page.
Appraiser notes a letter of presentation to Buchanan by Charles E. Mix, Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated Oct. 15, 1857. Not presently located (in pages?).
Provenance
Descent within James Buchanan Henry family to donors.
Abrasions and wear; cracking at hinge of front board and spine. Detached back board along with some pages. Most pages have liquid stains at the top; many pages have light to heavy foxing with some acid burn at edges.
Object ID
2013.008.025
Place of Origin
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Credit
Gift of the Family of Eleanor N. Henry (John D. McNeill Jr., Mary Catherine Henry West, James Buchanan Henry IV, and Elizabeth Henry Richardson)
