- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- 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.
- Provenance
- James Buchanan
- To - Esther Parker
- To - Ella Steckman
- Year Range From
- 1840
- Year Range To
- 1860
- Last Owner
- Buchanan, James
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- Butler's Pantry
- Storage Wall
- Room Center
- Storage Cabinet
- Table
- Storage Shelf
- Service Top
- Subcategory
- Food Processing T&E
- Object Name
- Caddy, Tea
- Material
- Walnut/Glass
- Height (in)
- 7.812
- Width (in)
- 12.687
- Depth (in)
- 6.687
- Condition
- Good
- Condition Date
- 2003-07-21
- Condition Notes
- Wood cracked in various places, left handle is missing, glass mixing container broken and reglued 1991 and stuck in wooden holder.
- Object ID
- W.1935.108.001
- Accession Number
- W.1935.108
Images
- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- 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.
- Provenance
- James Buchanan
- To - Edward Y. Buchanan
- To - Alice Conyngham Buchanan Ewing
- To - Cornelia Ewing Brooke
- To - The James Buchanan Foundation
- Year Range From
- 1845
- Year Range To
- 1860
- Last Owner
- Buchanan, James
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- Parlor
- Storage Wall
- West Wall
- People
- Brooke, Cornelia Lansdale Ewing
- Buchanan, Edward Young
- Buchanan, James
- Ewing, Alice Conyngham Buchanan
- Subcategory
- Furniture
- Search Terms
- Buchanan Collections
- Furniture
- James Buchanan
- James Buchanan Presidential Library
- Sofas
- Object Name
- Sofa
- Material
- Walnut
- Height (in)
- 44.562
- Width (in)
- 88
- Condition
- Good
- Condition Date
- 2003-10-02
- Condition Notes
- Re-upholstered in the 1940s.
- Object ID
- W.1943.001.001
- Place of Origin
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Accession Number
- W.1943.001
Images
- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- Bookcase composed of two sections. Cabinet with glass doors at top and cabinet with wooden doors at bottom. Two glass doors have square mullions holding the panes. Doors give access to moveable shelves inside. Two doors at bottom of each have simple rectangular recessed panels.
- Thomas Potter - 2nd owner of Wheatland
- Sold to William Morris Meredith 3rd owner of Wheatland
- Sold to James Buchanan 4th owner of Wheatland
- Inherited by Harriet Lane Johnston 5th owner of Wheatland
- Bequeathed to John Newton Lane, Harriet Lane Johnston's nephew
- Bequeathed to Mrs. Patty Lane Fay daughter of John N. Lane
- Provenance
- Thomas Potter
- To - William Morris Meredith
- To - James Buchanan
- To - Harriet Lane Johnston
- To - John Newton Lane
- To - Mrs. Patty Lane Fay
- To - James Buchanan Foundation
- Year Range From
- 1828
- Year Range To
- 1849
- Last Owner
- Buchanan, James
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- Library
- Storage Wall
- Southeast Wall
- People
- Buchanan, James
- Fay, Patty Lane
- Johnston, Harriet Lane
- Lane, John Newton
- Meredith, William Morris
- Potter, Thomas
- Subcategory
- Furniture
- Object Name
- Bookcase
- Material
- Mahogany veneer/Glass
- Height (in)
- 107
- Width (in)
- 60
- Depth (in)
- 43
- Condition
- Good
- Condition Date
- 2003-12-19
- Object ID
- W.1940.013.002
- Notes
- Bookcases sold to Meredith in 1845 by Potter then Meredith sold them to James Buchanan in 1848. Letter dated 9/27/1848 to Buchanan from Meredith: 'In addition to the $6750 which you mention, I paid Mr. Potter for the bookcases in the library, I think $75.00.'
- Accession Number
- W.1940.013
Images
- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- Sheraton-inspired mahogany veneer night table with satinwood inlay accents that outline the apron, drawer and keyhole, as well as the legs. The table top has eight sides and surmounts four saber legs that also support a lower inward-curved shelf.
- Provenance
- Dr. Alexander Speer
- To Katherine Speer Powell (granddaughter)
- To James Buchanan Foundation
- LancasterHistory
- Year Range From
- 1790
- Year Range To
- 1820
- Last Owner
- Speer, Alexander
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- Northeast Bedchamber
- Storage Wall
- East Wall
- People
- Speer, Alexander Morrow
- Subcategory
- Need to Classify
- Object Name
- Table, Night
- Material
- Mahogany/Mahogany veneer
- Height (in)
- 28
- Width (in)
- 21.75
- Depth (in)
- 17
- Condition
- Good
- Condition Date
- 2022-11-08
- Object ID
- W.1995.107.109
- Notes
- Dr. Alexander Speer was one of James Buchanan's maternal first cousins. Katherine Speer Powell was Dr. Speer's granddaughter.
- Credit
- Estate of Katherine Speer Powell
- Accession Number
- W.1995.107
Images
- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- Sterling silver cake server inscribed with initials J.B. (James Buchanan) on the handle's front near the top.
- Provenance
- Buchanan, James
- To Johnston, Harriet Lane
- To Lane, John Newton (son of James B. Lane) To Fay, Patty Lane (Daughter of JB Lane)
- To Sebrell, Patty Lane Fay (Daughter of PL Fay)
- To James Buchanan Foundation
- LancasterHistory.
- Year Range From
- 1820
- Year Range To
- 1840
- Last Owner
- Buchanan, James
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- Second Floor Hall
- Storage Wall
- West Wall
- Storage Cabinet
- Linen Closet
- Storage Shelf
- Shelf 2
- Search Terms
- Buchanan Collections
- Cake servers
- Harriet Lane Johnston
- James Buchanan
- James Buchanan Presidential Library
- Silver
- Inscription Position
- Handle front near top
- Inscription Technique
- Etched
- Inscription Text
- JB (James Buchanan)
- Inscription Type
- Inscription
- Object Name
- Server, Cake
- Material
- Sterling Silver
- Makers Mark
- Silver marks not yet identified. P. Clarke 10/15/21
- Length (cm)
- 33.02
- Length (ft)
- 1.0833333333
- Length (in)
- 13
- Condition
- Excellent
- Condition Date
- 2021-10-15
- Object ID
- W.1998.001.004
- Credit
- Sebrell Family
- Accession Number
- W.1998.001
Images
- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- Bookcase composed of two sections. The upper cabinet has two hinged doors that latch at center. The shelving is adjustable and both doors feature 12 oblong-shaped glass panes and mullions. The lower cabinet has two hinged wood doors that latch and lock at the center; each door features a square recessed panel.
- Provenance
- Thomas Potter
- To - William Morris Meredith
- To - James Buchanan
- To - Harriet Lane Johnston
- To - John Newton Lane
- To - James Buchanan Lane II
- To - Thomasina Thomas Lane
- To - James Buchanan Foundation
- Thomas Potter - 2nd owner of Wheatland
- Sold to - William Morris Meredith for $75
- Sold to - James Buchanan for $75
- Bequeathed to - Harriet Lane Johnston
- Bequeathed to - John Newton Lane, Harriet's nephew
- Bequeathed to - James Buchanan Lane II, John N. Lane's son
- Bequeathed to - Thomasina Thomas Lane, James B. Lane II's spouse
- Year Range From
- 1836
- Year Range To
- 1845
- Last Owner
- Buchanan, James
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- Library
- Storage Wall
- Northeast Wall
- People
- Potter, Thomas
- Object Name
- Bookcase
- Material
- Pine, Mahogany veneer, Glass
- Height (cm)
- 271.78
- Height (ft)
- 8.9166666667
- Height (in)
- 107
- Width (cm)
- 152.4
- Width (ft)
- 5
- Width (in)
- 60
- Depth (cm)
- 109.22
- Depth (ft)
- 3.5833333333
- Depth (in)
- 43
- Condition
- Good
- Condition Date
- 2022-04-20
- Object ID
- W.1940.014.001
- Credit
- Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
- Accession Number
- W.1940.014
Images
- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- 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.
- Provenance
- Dr. Henry Carpenter
- To - daughter, Sarah Carpenter Hubley
- To - son, John A. Hubley
- To - son, John A. Hubley, Jr.
- To - spouse, Dorothy M. Graybill Hubley
- To - James Buchanan Foundation
- LancasterHistory
- Year Range From
- 1840
- Year Range To
- 1860
- Last Owner
- Carpenter, Henry
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- North Middle Bedchamber
- Storage Wall
- West Wall
- People
- Carpenter, Henry
- Object Name
- Desk, Writing
- Material
- Cherry
- Height (cm)
- 92.71
- Height (ft)
- 3.0416666667
- Height (in)
- 36.5
- Width (cm)
- 83.5025
- Width (ft)
- 2.7395833333
- Width (in)
- 32.875
- Depth (cm)
- 38.735
- Depth (ft)
- 1.2708333333
- Depth (in)
- 15.25
- Dimension Details
- Dimensions with top closed
- Condition
- Good
- Condition Date
- 2022-06-22
- Condition Notes
- Few cracks on surface of wood.
- Object ID
- W.2001.007.001
- Notes
- Desk belonged to Henry Carptenter, a personal physician of James Buchanan.
- Accession Number
- W.2001.007
Images
- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- Jacquard woven blanket formed by two layers of intersecting dyed and undyed fabric. It was manufactured, not hand woven, due to the size of the loom required and complexity of punching the cards to form the pattern. Blue base with undyed wool forming a floral design.with starburst and diamond alternating patterns in between. Green fabric tape found on edges. Design is reversed in color on opposite side. Center design is cluster of four rose plants. Border is a foliate vine with blossoms.
- Provenance
- Lane, Harriet
- Bauer, Charlotte Andrew (Mrs. Rollin Sr.)
- To The James Buchanan Foundation
- LancasterHistory
- Date Range
- Ca. 1847
- Year Range From
- 1845
- Year Range To
- 1849
- Last Owner
- Johnston, Harriet Lane
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- Northeast Bedchamber
- Storage Wall
- North Wall
- Storage Cabinet
- Chair
- Storage Shelf
- Top Surface
- People
- Johnston, Harriet Lane
- Subcategory
- Bedding
- Object Name
- Blanket
- Material
- Wool
- Length (in)
- 75.5
- Width (in)
- 65.5
- Condition
- Fair
- Condition Date
- 2022-11-10
- Condition Notes
- Fabric loss in a variety of areas on blanket
- Object ID
- W.1989.152.001
- Notes
- Supposedly owned by Harriet Lane when she attended Georgetown Visitation Convent. Unknown how it came to be in donor's possession. Donor's son and daughter-in-law posited that perhaps Charlotte A. Bauer (donor) received it from Mrs. Cynthia Westover Alden, who was a cousin by marriage to John Alden. Mrs. Cynthia W. Alden had many connections in the 1880s and may have received the blanket from Harriet Lane Johnston.
- Accession Number
- W.1989.152
Images
- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- Named for its principle use, this mahogany table top, with its oblong top and bead molded edge, was typically found at the side of a bedstead. The table's skirt is three to four inches deep and contains a single drawer that is the full width of the skirt. The drawer has two original brass knob pulls and a top centered brass escutcheon keyhole. The table is supported by four round tapering legs with ring and ball turnings at the top and two sets of ring turnings approximately two inches above the tapered feet of the legs.
- Provenance
- Alexander Speer, maternal first cousin to James Buchanan
- To - Katherine Speer Powell (granddaughter)
- To - The James Buchanan Foundation
- LancasterHistory
- Year Range From
- 1785
- Year Range To
- 1800
- Last Owner
- Speer, Alexander
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- Northwest Bedchamber
- Storage Wall
- North Wall
- People
- Speer, Alexander Morrow
- Object Name
- Table, Night
- Material
- Mahogany
- Height (cm)
- 72.39
- Height (ft)
- 2.375
- Height (in)
- 28.5
- Width (cm)
- 35.56
- Width (ft)
- 1.1666666667
- Width (in)
- 14
- Diameter (cm)
- 67.945
- Diameter (ft)
- 2.2291666667
- Diameter (in)
- 26.75
- Condition
- Good
- Condition Date
- 2023-01-29
- Condition Notes
- Table top has a crack running its length.
- Object ID
- W.1995.107.110
- Credit
- Estate of Katherine Speer Powell
- Accession Number
- W.1995.107
Images
- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- One of two identical silver teapots made by Bailey & Company. On the body of both teapots is the inscription M.J. Lane (Martha Armor Jenkins Lane, the wife of James Buchanan Lane and sister-in-law to Harriet Lane.)
- See B.R. Howard Treatment Report for additional information.
- Provenance
- Lane, Martha Jenkins Lane (Mrs. James B. Lane)
- To Lane, John Newton (son)
- To Fay, Patty Lane Fay (daughter)
- To Sebrell, Patty Lane Fay (PL Fay daughter) To James Buchanan Foundation
- LancasterHistory
- Year Range From
- 1848
- Year Range To
- 1859
- Made By
- Bailey and Company
- Last Owner
- Lane, Martha Armor Jenkins
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- Parlor
- Storage Wall
- Southeast Wall
- Storage Cabinet
- Sideboard
- Storage Shelf
- Service Top
- Search Terms
- James Buchanan Presidential Library
- Inscription Position
- Base
- Inscription Technique
- Etched
- Inscription Text
- Bailey & Co.
- Inscription Type
- Hallmark
- Object Name
- Teapot
- Material
- Silver
- Makers Mark
- The origin is in the partnership formed in 1832 by Joseph Trowbridge Bailey and Andrew B. Kitchen. New partnership was formed in 1848 under the name Bailey & Company until 1859.
- Height (cm)
- 17.145
- Height (ft)
- 0.5625
- Height (in)
- 6.75
- Diameter (cm)
- 19.05
- Diameter (ft)
- 0.625
- Diameter (in)
- 7.5
- Dimension Details
- Spout to Handle = 11.25"
- Condition
- Good
- Condition Date
- 2022-01-12
- Condition Notes
- Tarnish buildup on silver body. Needs professional cleaning and waxing.
- Object ID
- W.1998.001.015e
- Place of Origin
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Credit
- Sebrell Family
- Accession Number
- W.1998.001
Images
- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- One of four saucers. Inside curved shape features a gilt band along the rim with a wide band of pink hue decor bordered by a smaller diameter gilt band closer to the saucer's center. Center of the saucer features a gilt star burst decor.
- Provenance
- French Ambassador, Louis Adolphe Aimé Fourier, comte de Bacourt
- to James Buchanan
- to Edward Y. Buchanan
- to Maria Lois Buchanan Cassatt
- to Lois Cassatt Thayer
- to James Buchanan Foundation
- LancasterHistory
- Year Range From
- 1820
- Year Range To
- 1840
- Last Owner
- Buchanan, James
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- Dining Room
- Storage Wall
- Southwest Wall
- Storage Cabinet
- Built-in Cupboard
- Storage Shelf
- Shelf 2
- Search Terms
- James Buchanan Presidential Library
- Inscription Position
- Bottom
- Inscription Technique
- Pen and Ink
- Inscription Text
- Fiuillet rue de la Paix no. 20.
- Inscription Type
- Signature
- Object Name
- Saucer
- Material
- Porcelain
- Makers Mark
- Mark applied over glaze, therefore some of the ojects no longer have the designer's signature
- Depth (cm)
- 2.54
- Depth (ft)
- 0.0833333333
- Depth (in)
- 1
- Diameter (cm)
- 13.0175
- Diameter (ft)
- 0.4270833333
- Diameter (in)
- 5.125
- Condition
- Good
- Condition Date
- 2022-01-12
- Object ID
- W.1935.010.009
- Notes
- In 1995 the JBF staff assigned the Object ID W.95.69.2 to this Compote as a FIC probably because original paper records were not found.
- In March 2023 the paper file has been found that identifies Lois Cassatt Thayer as the donor in 1935. Mrs. Thayer was the daughter to Alexander Cassatt and his wife, Maria Lois Buchanan Cassatt. Maria Lois Buchanan was the daughter to Rev. Dr. Edward Y. Buchanan, the youngest sibling to President James Buchanan.
- Place of Origin
- Paris, France
- Accession Number
- W.1935.010
Images
- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- Walnut side chairs featuring intricately carved scroll design on the cresting rail. A solid splat extends through the center of the back and joins a horizontal member above the rear seat rail. The front of the skirt is plain with a serpentine shape surmounting fully formed Louis XV cabriole legs with floral motif carvings at the top. Upholstered seat originally had leather; current seat cover is black fabric.
- Provenance
- James Buchanan
- Purchased at auction by Mrs. Lacey Thorogood
- Sold to Mrs. Lee Kennerly Beauchamp
- Bequeathed to Mrs. Nellie E. Houck
- Bequeathed to Elizabeth White Houck
- To James Buchanan Foundation
- Year Range From
- 1830
- Year Range To
- 1855
- Last Owner
- Buchanan, James
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- Dining Room
- Storage Wall
- Room Center
- People
- Buchanan, James
- Search Terms
- James Buchanan Presidential Library
- Object Name
- Chair, Side
- Material
- Walnut
- Height (cm)
- 92.075
- Height (ft)
- 3.0208333333
- Height (in)
- 36.25
- Length (cm)
- 92.075
- Length (ft)
- 3.0208333333
- Length (in)
- 36.25
- Width (cm)
- 36.83
- Width (ft)
- 1.2083333333
- Width (in)
- 14.5
- Depth (cm)
- 41.91
- Depth (ft)
- 1.375
- Depth (in)
- 16.5
- Condition
- Good
- Condition Date
- 2022-02-09
- Object ID
- W.1938.006.001
- Place of Origin
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Accession Number
- W.1938.006
Images
- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- One of four saucers. Inside curved shape features a gilt band along the rim with a wide band of pink hue decor bordered by a smaller diameter gilt band closer to the saucer's center. Center of the saucer features a gilt star burst decor.
- Nast or Darte Freres factory. Jean-Pierre Feuillet, designer.
- Provenance
- French Ambassador, Louis Adolphe Aimé Fourier, comte de Bacourt
- To James Buchanan
- To Edward Y. Buchanan
- To Maria Lois Buchanan Cassatt
- To Lois Cassatt Thayer
- To James Buchanan Foundation
- LancasterHistory
- Year Range From
- 1820
- Year Range To
- 1840
- Made By
- Feuillet, Jean-Pierre
- Last Owner
- Buchanan, James
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- Dining Room
- Storage Wall
- Southwest Wall
- Storage Cabinet
- Built-in Cupboard
- Storage Shelf
- Shelf 2
- Search Terms
- James Buchanan Presidential Library
- Inscription Position
- Bottom
- Inscription Technique
- Pen and Ink
- Inscription Text
- Fiuillet rue de la Paix no. 20.
- Inscription Type
- Signature
- Object Name
- Saucer
- Material
- Porcelain
- Makers Mark
- Mark applied over glaze, therefore some of the ojects no longer have the designer's signature
- Depth (cm)
- 2.54
- Depth (ft)
- 0.0833333333
- Depth (in)
- 1
- Diameter (cm)
- 13.0175
- Diameter (ft)
- 0.4270833333
- Diameter (in)
- 5.125
- Condition
- Good
- Condition Date
- 2023-04-03
- Object ID
- W.1935.010.007
- Notes
- In 1995 the JBF staff assigned the Object ID W.95.69.2 to this Compote as a FIC probably because original paper records were not found.
- In March 2023 the paper file has been found that identifies Lois Cassatt Thayer as the donor in 1935. Mrs. Thayer was the daughter to Alexander Cassatt and his wife, Maria Lois Buchanan Cassatt. Maria Lois Buchanan was the daughter to Rev. Dr. Edward Y. Buchanan, the youngest sibling to President James Buchanan.
- Place of Origin
- Paris, France
- Accession Number
- W.1935.010
Images
- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- 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
- Year Range From
- 1840
- Year Range To
- 1856
- Last Owner
- Buchanan, James
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- Dining Room
- Storage Wall
- West Wall
- People
- Buchanan, James
- Search Terms
- James Buchanan Presidential Library
- Object Name
- Sideboard
- Material
- Pine, Mahogany Veneer
- Height (cm)
- 114.935
- Height (ft)
- 3.7708333333
- Height (in)
- 45.25
- Length (cm)
- 185.42
- Length (ft)
- 6.0833333333
- Length (in)
- 73
- Width (cm)
- 59.69
- Width (ft)
- 1.9583333333
- Width (in)
- 23.5
- Condition
- Good
- Condition Date
- 2022-02-17
- Condition Notes
- Several pieces of veneer missing.
- Object ID
- 2018.007.001
- Place of Origin
- Lancaster
- Accession Number
- 2018.007
Images
- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- Empire era maple side chair; scroll cut and carved crest with pierced hand-hold at crest. Rail with horizontal splat, upholstered seat terminating with cabriole legs.
- Provenance
- James Buchanan
- to James Buchanan Henry
- to James Buchanan Henry III
- to Eleanor N. Henry (Mrs. James B Henry III)
- to Children of James B. & Eleanor N. Henry
- to LancasterHistory
- Year Range From
- 1840
- Year Range To
- 1845
- Last Owner
- Buchanan, James
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- North Broad Hall
- Storage Wall
- Northeast Wall
- Search Terms
- James Buchanan Presidential Library
- Object Name
- Chair, Side
- Material
- Maple
- Condition
- Good
- Condition Date
- 2022-03-04
- Object ID
- 2013.008.023
- 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)
- Accession Number
- 2013.008
Images
- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- 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.
- Provenance
- James Buchanan
- To - Harriet Lane Johnston
- To - Willson Family
- To - James Buchanan Foundation
- Year Range From
- 1840
- Year Range To
- 1855
- Last Owner
- Buchanan, James
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- Library
- Storage Wall
- Room Center
- Storage Cabinet
- Library Desk
- Search Terms
- James Buchanan Presidential Library
- Object Name
- Chair, Side
- Material
- Horsehair/Walnut
- Related Publications
- 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.)
- Place of Origin
- Pennsylvania
- Accession Number
- W.1936.001
Images
- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- Bowfront mahogany veneer chest of drawers in the Hepplewhite style. Four drawers have progressing depths from the top to the bottom, each with overpressed drawer pulls two per drawer. At the top center of each drawer is a brass escutcheon keyhole. The top of the chest and each drawer are decorated with satin wood inlay. Chest is supported at its base by four french feet which feature a slightly outswept bracket foot combined with a valence skirt.
- Provenance
- Dr. Alexander Speer (James Buchanan maternal cousin)
- To: Katherine Speer Powell (granddaughter)
- Year Range From
- 1780
- Year Range To
- 1810
- Last Owner
- Speer, Alexander
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- South Middle Bedchamber
- Storage Wall
- South Wall
- People
- Speer, Alexander
- Search Terms
- James Buchanan Presidential Library
- Object Name
- Chest of Drawers
- Material
- Mahogany
- Height (cm)
- 104.14
- Height (ft)
- 3.4166666667
- Height (in)
- 41
- Width (cm)
- 118.11
- Width (ft)
- 3.875
- Width (in)
- 46.5
- Depth (cm)
- 62.865
- Depth (ft)
- 2.0625
- Depth (in)
- 24.75
- Condition
- Fair
- Condition Date
- 2022-08-04
- Condition Notes
- Front left leg broken
- Object ID
- W.1995.111.107
- Accession Number
- W.1995.111
Images
- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- Sheraton/Empire Tabernacle style mirror. Gilt mirror with a flat molded cornice with projecting breaks at the corners and fourteen pendent sphere. Double pilasters have decorative captials, beaded reeds and a rope motif terminating with urn-shaped bases. Frieze has foliate carvings.
- Provenance
- James Buchanan
- To - Annie Buchanan (Niece)
- To - Robert K. Cassatt (Nephew to Annie B.)
- To - James Buchanan Foundation
- LancasterHistory
- Year Range From
- 1800
- Year Range To
- 1820
- Last Owner
- Buchanan, James
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- Second Floor Hall
- Storage Wall
- East Wall
- Subcategory
- Furniture
- Search Terms
- James Buchanan Presidential Library
- Object Name
- Mirror, Wall
- Material
- Brass/Glass
- Height (in)
- 41
- Width (in)
- 17
- Condition
- Fair
- Condition Date
- 2023-06-16
- Condition Notes
- Bottom mirror's silvering is delaminating from exposure to moisture; some chipping on the gilt frame.
- Object ID
- W.1935.042.001
- Notes
- Mr. Robert K. Cassatt's (donor) aunt was Miss Annie Buchanan. Annie was Robert's mother's sister and niece to James Buchanan. This mirror formerly hung at Wheatland.
- Accession Number
- W.1935.042
Images
- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- Rectangular tray. White porcelain with gold trim, raised pink tray with support openings for a white ink well and a white pounce sander. Scalloped edges form handles on both ends of the raised tray and continues along the oblong tray that held pens. Scalloped edges feature gilded edges on white background bordered by a wide cobalt blue band gilt floral decor. The center of the pen tray is white with a pink, blue and white flower motif.
- Provenance
- James Buchanan
- To Rev. Edward Y. Buchanan (brother)
- To Lois Buchanan Cassatt (daughter/JB niece)
- To Edward Buchanan Cassatt (son/JB great nephew)
- To Lois Buchanan Cassatt Thayer (daughter/JB great, great niece)
- To the James Buchanan Foundation
- LancasterHistory
- Year Range From
- 1800
- Year Range To
- 1830
- Last Owner
- Buchanan, James
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- Library
- Storage Wall
- Southeast Wall
- Storage Cabinet
- Desk
- Storage Shelf
- Top Surface
- People
- Buchanan, James
- Subcategory
- Written Communication T&E
- Search Terms
- James Buchanan Presidential Library
- Object Name
- Inkstand
- Material
- Porcelain
- Makers Mark
- No markings on the piece.
- Height (in)
- 2.25
- Width (in)
- 11.5
- Depth (in)
- 8
- Condition
- Good
- Condition Date
- 2023-06-16
- Condition Notes
- Some paint worn off
- Object ID
- W.1935.057.003
- Notes
- Inkstand from Wheatland during Buchanan's time. Donor is great-great-niece of Buchanan-thru brother Edward's line.
- Place of Origin
- Paris, France
- Accession Number
- W.1935.057
Images
- Collection
- Wheatland
- Description
- American Empire style stool has an upholstered adjustable seat finished with green silk velvet. The serpentine apron and urn shaped pedestal surmounts a plinth base with four square legs each terminating on casters. The primary wood, pine, is veneered in walnut.
- Provenance
- James Buchanan To - Harriet Lane Johnston
- To - Mary A. Willson
- To - Mary E. & George B. Willson
- To - Mary Willson Rettew
- To - The James Buchanan Foundation
- LancasterHistory
- Year Range From
- 1840
- Year Range To
- 1860
- Last Owner
- Buchanan, James
- Storage Location
- Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
- Storage Room
- Sitting Room
- Storage Wall
- South Wall
- Subcategory
- Musical T&E
- Search Terms
- James Buchanan Presidential Library
- Object Name
- Stool, Piano
- Material
- Pine,Walnut,Velvet
- Height (in)
- 21.625
- Width (in)
- 14.375
- Condition
- Excellent
- Condition Date
- 2022-11-21
- Condition Notes
- re-upholstered 3/26/1940 [House Committee Report, Institutional Archives]
- Object ID
- W.1936.001.005
- Notes
- Purchased at the Willson-Rettew Estate sale
- Accession Number
- W.1936.001
Images
