Search Results - Research Collections

Description: The James Buchanan Collection, 1816-present, contains material that pertains to the life and legacy of James Buchanan and his Lancaster home, Wheatland. The collection includes correspondence of James Buchanan and letters written by his niece, Harriet Lane Johnston. Newspaper articles discuss Buchanan's life and Wheatland, tell the story of Buchanan's romance with Ann Coleman, and report on commemorative events. Legal and personal business are represented by deeds, financial matters, and Buchanan's probate records.; Political papers include the Presidential appointment of Buchanan as Minister to Russia, certification to represent Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate, and a series of letters regarding the Atlantic slave trade in 1819 and Liberia in 1858. In letters, Buchanan outlined his reasons for not wanting to run for Governor, wrote about the confidence bestowed on him by the Democratic Party, and established a fund for the city of Lancaster to purchase wood and coal for poor women during the winter. After the Crimean War, Buchanan wrote to the ambassador to the United Kingdom and observed that Russia seemed to be intent on recovering its military prestige and had made vast naval preparations.; There is an assortment of ephemera, such as programs for memorial celebrations, material related to John Updike's play Buchanan Dying, commemorative stamps, sheet music, and invitations. Souvenir pamphlets from Wheatland provide history about Buchanan's home and the museum. Speeches range from those given by Buchanan to several that honor his life and Presidency. A scrapbook describes the establishment of Wheatland as a museum and contains newspaper articles about archaeology on the site in 1948.

Admin/Biographical History: James Buchanan was born on April 23, 1791 to James Buchanan and Elizabeth Speer. He was the second child born out of ten children, and he would go on to outlive all but one of his siblings. Most popularly remembered as Pennsylvania's only President and as a lifelong bachelor, Buchanan committed a lifetime to politics. In 1821, he left his law practice and embarked on his political career after having been voted into the U.S. House of Representatives. He would remain in the House for five consecutive terms before serving as the U.S. Minister to Russia, a Senator in the U.S. Senate, the U.S. Secretary of State, the U.S. Minister to Great Britain, and finally, the 15th President of the United States. He died in his bedchamber at Wheatland at 8:30 AM on June 1, 1868. He was 77 years old.

Date Range: 1816-present

Creation Date: 1816-present

Year Range From: 1816

Creator: LancasterHistory (Organization)

Storage Location: LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA

Storage Room: Archives South

Storage Wall: Side 03

People: Buchanan, James; Johnston, Harriet Lane

Other Creators: Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Subjects: Ambassadors; Historic houses; Legal documents; Legislators--United States; Letters; Memorials; Monuments; Personal correspondence; Presidents--United States; Russia; Slavery; Statues; Wheatland (Lancaster, Pa.)

Search Terms: Ambassadors; Buchanan Collections; Historic houses; James Buchanan; James Buchanan Presidential Library; Legal documents; Letters; Memorials; Monuments; Correspondence, Personal; Presidents; Russia; Senators, United States; Slavery; Statues; Wheatland

Extent: 2 boxes, 80 folders, 1 scrapbook, 1 oversized item, 4 cubic ft.

Object Name: Archive

Language: English

Object ID: MG0096

Location of Originals: Location of originals is noted when known.; Newspaper articles were preserved as photocopies.

Associated Material: James Buchanan Papers, Dickinson College Archives & Special Collections http://archives.dickinson.edu/collection-descriptions/james-buchanan-papers; James Buchanan and Harriet Lane Johnston Papers, Library of Congress https://www.loc.gov/collections/james-buchanan-and-harriet-lane-johnston-papers/; James Buchanan Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, http://www2.hsp.org/collections/manuscripts/b/Buchanan0091.html; James Buchanan Papers, Penn State University Libraries, https://libraries.psu.edu/findingaids/1458.htm

Related Item Notes: James Buchanan Family Papers (JBFP); Historical Society of Pennsylvania microfilm in the LancasterHistory Research Library; LancasterHistory Library collection; Photograph collection; Curatorial collection; Wheatland Mansion

Access Conditions / Restrictions: Please use digital images and transcriptions when available.; Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.

Copyright: Images have been provided for research purposes only.; LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.; Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.; To make a request, please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.

Credit: Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Classification: MG0096

Description Level: Fonds

Custodial History: Digitization of the James Buchanan Collection was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 201808013051, 2019-2020.; James Buchanan and Wheatland Scrapbook, February 1936-May; 1948 was cataloged as part of a project funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, ME60112, 2007-2008.

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Finding Aid

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Archive

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/c2b62705-e1f9-4fd0-a2e3-386323406432

Collection: Military Collection

Title: Military Collection

Object ID: MG0078

Date Range: 1764-present

1 document

Collection: Military Collection

Title: Military Collection

Description: This collection contains documents beginning with the American Revolution and continuing through the War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. There are account books, notes and written letters, vouchers, inspections of camps, receipts of payments, honorable discharge certificates, lists of absentees, envelopes used during the Civil War, and lists of unpaid fines during the service of the Pennsylvania Militia soldiers. There are also newsletters and articles relating to World Wars I and II and the Korean War for advertisement and description of items including the history of the Philadelphia Naval Base.

Date Range: 1764-present

Date of Accumulation: 1764-present

Creator: LancasterHistory (Organization)

Storage Location: LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA

Storage Room: Archives South

Storage Wall: Side 03

People: Alexander, Peter; Andre, John; Andrews, George; Auxer, Jacob; Barton, David R.; Baughman, George; Bausman, Frederick; Bethel, Samuel; Bevins, George; Biddle, George; Bietz, George; Billman, William L.; Bitner, Abraham; Bowers, George; Bowers, Lerina; Bowers, M. F.; Bradd, John; Brant, John; Brenner, Henry; Brush, George; Buchanan, James; Calwell, James; Cassidy, John; Cockley, David; Coleman, Robert; Comstock, Elmo; Comstock, Willard; Conyngham, G.; Cooke, Jacob; Crider, David; Dallas, A. L.; Demuth, William D.; Diffenderfer, Jacob; Diller, Adam; Duchman, John H.; Eshleman, John; Eugstler, Philip; Ewing, William; Fulton, Eleanore J.; Gardner, Daniel; Garrison, Lindley M.; Gidy, Peter; Graeff, Matthias; Haerrs, Dane; Hamilton, William; Hamilton, Robert; Hand, Edward; Haughman, George; Hayes, Rutherford Birchard; Heitler, Richard R.; Hiester, Gabriel; Hubley, Adam; Irvine, William; Jackson, Cyrus E.; Jacobs, Barnet; Jameson, Samuel; Johnson, Edward; Johnson, Relief; Johnson, Thomas; Kearns, Christian; Keller, Adam; Kendig, Adam; Kendig, Benjamin F.; King, Alexander; King, Robert, Jr.; Kirkpatrick, William; Kissel, Frederick; Landis, Bertha Cochran; Landis, Charles; Light, John; Lloyd, Thomas; Longenecker, John; Lutz, John; McCarty, Isaiah; McConnel, Abraham; McElhattan, Alexander; McKean, Thomas; McSherry, J. L., III; Megrady, Patrick; Mifflin, Thomas; Morgan, Thomas; Morrison, A. K.; Morrison, Alexander W.; Morrison, Samuel W.; Neal, Thomas; Nicholson, John; Ohlen, John; Paster, Peter; Patterson, James; Price, Rebecca L.; Price, Robert C.; Reigart, Adam; Reigart, Christopher; Reinoehl, Adolphus; Roath, E. D.; Ross, James; Russell, A. L.; Sample, Nathaniel W.; Scarritt, Jeremiah M.; Scott, Hugh; Shippen, Joseph; Skiles, William; Skillings, Charles W.; Smith, John M.; Smith, Richard; Snyder, Eberhart Michael; Snyder, Eugene; Speel, Alexander R.; Strickler, M. M.; Sutherland, Thomas Jefferson; Thompson, R. W.; Wager, Philip; Weller, John; White, John; Witmer, David M.; Witmer, Sarah; Wolf, Joseph; Work, Joseph; Wright, Horatio G.; Zahm, Mary; Zeilin, William F.; Buchen, Martin L.; Hildebran, James; Pratt, J. E.; Elias, C. Harry; Martin, E. K.; McClain, Frank B.; Hewitt, A. G.; Negley, J. S.

Subjects: United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865; United States--History--War of 1812; Mexican War, 1846-1848; World War, 1914-1918; World War, 1939-1945; Korean War, 1950-1953; Letters; Business records; Programs (Publications)

Search Terms: Business records; Civil War; Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.); Correspondence; Discharge certificates; Envelopes; Finding aids; Jackson Riflemen; Korean War; Lancaster Militia; Letters; Manuscript groups; Mexican War; Military history; Military records; Monuments; Newsletters; Pennsylvania Militia; Programs; Receipts; Revolutionary War; Soldiers and Sailors Monument; War of 1812; World War I; World War II; Reunions

Extent: 2 boxes, 25 folders, 1 cubic ft.

Object Name: Archive

Language: English

Object ID: MG0078

Location of Originals: LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Related Item Notes: Curatorial Collection

Access Conditions / Restrictions: Restrictions are noted at the item level.

Copyright: Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org.; Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.

Credit: Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Other Numbers: MG-78

Classification: MG0078

Description Level: Fonds

Custodial History: Processed and finding aid prepared by DD, Summer 2000. Updated by HST, 2010, 2011.

Documents

Finding Aid

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Fonds

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/3f06f376-afcb-4693-9084-484226392372

Collection: James Buchanan Family Papers

Title: James Buchanan Family Papers

Object ID: JBFP

Collection: James Buchanan Family Papers

Title: James Buchanan Family Papers

Description: The James Buchanan Family Papers collection is organized into eight parts: Part 1 Papers of James Buchanan, Part 2 Papers of Harriet Lane Johnston, Part 3 Papers of James Buchanan Henry, Part 4 Papers of Edward Young Buchanan, Part 5 Papers of Other members of the Buchanan Family, Part 6 Papers of Hiram B. Swarr, Part 7 Papers of Jonathan Messersmith Foltz, and Part 8 Papers of Others (Not Part of the Family). The papers are arranged by category within each part.; The correspondence is both professional and personal. The letters provide information about family and social events, business and military affairs, social and political history, health and illnesses, religious beliefs, education, friendships, domestic staff, and Wheatland. Political letters specifically highlight the Democratic Party in the United States in the early to mid-nineteenth century, as well as foreign policy and politics while Buchanan was the ambassador to Russia and England. Personal letters share family, local, regional, and international news between family members and friends.; Financial and legal documents include business papers, property records, estate papers, plans for James Buchanan's tomb, and investments. James Buchanan's 1856 presidential campaign and 1857 inauguration are captured in campaign ephemera, political cartoons, Democratic tickets, invitations to the inaugural ball, newspaper articles, and a political song. Other items in the collection include speeches, ephemera, genealogy, diplomas and certificates, account books, scrapbooks, newspaper articles, invitations, programs, pastoral records, and poetry.

Admin/Biographical History: James Buchanan was born on April 23, 1791 to James Buchanan and Elizabeth Speer. He was the second child born out of ten children, and he would go on to outlive all but one of his siblings. Most popularly remembered as Pennsylvania's only President and as a lifelong bachelor, Buchanan committed a lifetime to politics. In 1821, he left his law practice and embarked on his political career after having been voted into the U.S. House of Representatives. He would remain in the House for five consecutive terms before serving as the U.S. Minister to Russia, a Senator in the U.S. Senate, the U.S. Secretary of State, the U.S. Minister to Great Britain, and finally, the 15th President of the United States. He died in his bedchamber at Wheatland at 8:30 AM on June 1, 1868. He was 77 years old. [https://www.lancasterhistory.org/about-wheatland, accessed 10/24/2019]

System of Arrangement: The James Buchanan Family Papers collection is arranged in eight parts:; Part 1 James Buchanan; Part 2 Harriet Lane Johnston; Part 3 James Buchanan Henry; Part 4 Edward Young Buchanan; Part 5 Other members of the Buchanan Family; Part 6 Hiram B. Swarr; Part 7 Jonathan Messersmith Foltz; Part 8 Papers of Others (Not Part of the Family)

Creator: Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Storage Location: LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA

Storage Room: Archives South

Storage Wall: Side 18

People: Buchanan, James; Johnston, Harriet Lane; Henry, James Buchanan; Swarr, Hiram Behm; Buchanan, Edward Young; Foltz, Jonathan Messersmith

Other Creators: James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland (Lancaster, Pa.)

Search Terms: James Buchanan; Harriet Lane Johnston; Buchanan Collections; James Buchanan Presidential Library

Extent: 20 cubic ft.

Object Name: Fonds

Language: English, French, German, Spanish, Swedish, Latin, Italian

Object ID: JBFP

Associated Material: James Buchanan Papers, Dickinson College Archives & Special Collections http://archives.dickinson.edu/collection-descriptions/james-buchanan-papers; James Buchanan and Harriet Lane Johnston Papers, Library of Congress https://www.loc.gov/collections/james-buchanan-and-harriet-lane-johnston-papers/; James Buchanan Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, http://www2.hsp.org/collections/manuscripts/b/Buchanan0091.html; James Buchanan Papers, Penn State University Libraries, https://libraries.psu.edu/findingaids/1458.htm

Related Item Notes: James Buchanan Family Papers; James Buchanan Collection (MG0096) https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/lhdo3760; Historical Society of Pennsylvania microfilm; Photograph Collection; Curatorial Collection; Wheatland Collection; Wheatland Mansion

Access Conditions / Restrictions: Please use digital images and transcriptions when available.; Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.

Copyright: Images have been provided for research purposes only.; LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.; Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.; Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.

Credit: Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Description Level: Fonds

Custodial History: The James Buchanan Family Papers were collected by the James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland. This collection was relocated from the Wheatland mansion to the LancasterHistory archives in the Spring of 2009. Digitization of the James Buchanan Family Papers was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 201808013051, 2019-2020.