James Buchanan, (sculpture).

James Buchanan, (sculpture).

Grafly, Charles, 1862-1929, sculptor.

James Buchanan, (sculpture).

1924-1927. Dedicated June 1, 1928.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze; Base: marble.

Sculpture: approx. H. 106 in. x 36 in.; Base: approx. H. 80 in. x 75 in.

Charles Grafly (On front of base:) James Buchanan/President/of the/United States/1857-1861 Given in Memory by/Dulon F. Buchmiller signed

James Buchanan, 15th President of the United States, is depicted in his later years. He stands holding a walking stick in his proper right hand; gloves and a top hat in his proper left hand. He wears a shirt with high collar and bow tie, a waist-length jacket with long tails, and vest.

Portrait male -- Buchanan, James -- Full length

Occupation -- Political -- President

Dress -- Accessory -- Cane

Outdoor Sculpture -- Pennsylvania -- Lancaster

Administered by City of Lancaster, Parks Department, 120 North Duke Street, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603

Located Buchanan Park, On Buchanan Avenue across from North West End Avenue, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

The $25,000 memorial was commissioned by Dulon F. Buchmiller, a Lancaster industrialist and philanthropist. Buchmiller died before the statue was made, but had specific plans and funds designated for it. His daughter, Mary Buchmiller Ledwith, oversaw the project. Buchannan was a Pennsylvania native. Born in what is now Franklin County, he attended Dickinson College and settled in Lancaster. He was admitted to the Lancaster Bar in 1812; elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature, U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate. He served as ambassador in Russian and Great Britain and served as Secretary of State under President James Polk. He was inaugurated President of the United States in 1857 and after serving his term, retired to live in Lancaster until his death in 1868.

The memorial was dedicated on june 1, 1928, on the 60th anniversary of Buchanan's death. The statue of Buchanan was vandalized on Nov. 1, 1960 and Oct. 13, 1970. IAS files contain related articles from Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, June 1, 1928, pg. 1, 14 and Oct. 14, 1970, pg. 6; and Lancaster New Era, June 1, 1928, pg. 1, 14 and Jan. 10, 1961,

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Pennsylvania survey, 1994.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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