Documenting the houses of Presidents that I have visited.
This website highlights my visits to the houses of Thomas Jefferson, James Buchanan, and Dwight Eisenhower.
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
James Buchanan's Wheatland
Eisenhower National Historic Site
Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
Monticello was the home of Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was the third president of the United States. He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and was a founding father. Monticello is located in Charlottesville, Virginia. Monticello is Italian for “Little Mountain”. Thomas Jefferson inherited the land at age 14 from his father. He began designing the house and continued to design and remodel for the next 40 years. The house was a working plantation, with over 5,000 acres and 150 slaves. Monticello changed ownership many times after Jefferson’s death. In 1923 it was purchased by the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation. They have worked to restore the site since acquiring.
On July 25, 2000, I visited Monticello. I enjoyed the tour of Monticello. I felt the tour guides were amazing, they were extremely knowledgable of the history of Monticello. The grounds were beautiful.
Address: 1050 Monticello Loop, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Website: www.monticello.org
PH: (484) 984-9800
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 AM-4:30 PM, Sunday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Cost: varies depending on tour, Highlights tour; Adults - $42:00, Youth - $13.00
James Buchanan’s Wheatland
Wheatland was the home of James Buchanan. Buchanan was the fifteenth president of the United States. He was the only bachelor to serve as President of the United States. Wheatland is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Wheatland was built for a Lancaster lawyer named William Jenkins. It was originally a 156.5 acre farm but was later divided into a smaller property. In 1848, James Buchanan purchased the 22.5 acre property for $6,750.00. Wheatland was purchased by the Junior League of Lancaster and established the James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland who opened to the estate to the public in 1936. In 2009 the Foundation merged the Lancaster Historical Society, they now operate the museum as LancasterHistory.org..
On August 23, 2023 I visited Wheatland. The tour guide was extremely knowledgable of the history of Wheatland and President Buchanon. The grounds and home are nice and the remaining portions are well preserved. I wish more of the original estate had been saved but I am thankful that the Junior League of Lancaster was able to save the property in the 1930’s..
Address: 1120 Marietta Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603
Website: www.lancaster.org
PH: (717) 392-4633
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Cost: Adults - $17.00, Youth - $8.00
Dwight D. Eisenhower - Eisenhower National Historic Site
The Eisenhower National Historic Site is the farm that was Dwight D. Eisenhower’s home while he was president and for his retirement. It is located near the Gettysburg battlefield. It was a working 690.5 acre farm. He purchased the property in 1950 and lived there until his death. It is operated by the National Park Service.
On August 14, 2020, I visited the Eisenhower National Historic Site in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. At the time, indoor tours were not available but we were allowed to walk the ground and look at the property. The barn was very impressive. Through the basement windows, I was able to see several of his vehicles, such as the car he purchased after leaving the White House. It also had a golf cart he used on the property along with the farm tractor used on the property.
Address: 243 Eisenhower Farm Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Website: www.nps.gov/eise/index.htm
PH: (717) 338-9114
Hours: Daily, sunrise to sunset
Cost: n/a
