Treasurer Stacy Garrity Returns Unclaimed Historical Collection of Buchanan Family Documents

Lancaster, PA - Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity today helped bring history to life, as she returned a collection of unclaimed artifacts linked to the family of U.S. President James Buchanan, during a ceremony at LancasterHistory’s Museum & Research Center.

“There is something deeply moving about reconnecting a family with its legacy. These items being returned today are more than objects – instead, they are threads in the fabric of history, and their return ensures that the Buchanan family’s story will be told for generations to come.â€

Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity

The collection was discovered in an abandoned safe deposit box belonging to Barbara and Harry Buchanan, which was received by Treasury’s unclaimed property program. After an extensive search, Treasury was able to connect with Barbara and Harry’s daughter, Cathleen Buchanan, who traveled from Connecticut to make today’s return possible.

“On behalf of the Buchanan family, I want to express our sincere appreciation to Treasurer Garrity and her staff for the care and professionalism they have shown in locating, researching, preserving and returning a collection of historical documents found in an unclaimed safe deposit box. We are grateful for Treasury’s thorough work and for the opportunity to receive the materials in person.â€

Cathleen Buchanan

Local legislators and LancasterHistory staff were also in attendance.

“I appreciate Treasurer Garrity and her team’s continued work to return unclaimed property to its rightful owners. This collection has a special connection to Lancaster County and our nation’s history, and I’m glad these pieces of the Buchanan family’s story have been preserved and returned to the family where they belong.â€

Rep. Lloyd Smucker

“Throughout the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, we have been reminded that Pennsylvania’s history is inseparable from the story of our nation, and Lancaster County holds a special place in that legacy. I’m grateful to Treasurer Garrity and LancasterHistory for helping preserve these important pieces of our Commonwealth’s history and return them to the Buchanan family. Their work honors Pennsylvania’s past while helping ensure that this history is preserved for generations to come.â€

Senator Dave McCormick

"This remarkable discovery provides tangible evidence of Pike County's connection to the family of James Buchanan and adds an exciting chapter to our county history. We are delighted that these newly found documents will allow the Buchanan family to continue exploring its roots and heritage, and Pike County thanks Treasurer Stacy Garrity and her staff for their unwavering commitment to preserving and returning these historical treasures."

Pike County Commissioner, Matt Osterberg

The 61-item collection includes 32 historical documents, 28 stock certificates and a leather satchel. Among the most significant items are a letter from Robert Buchanan, written in 1780, requesting permission to remain with his militia regiment as a scout, and a deed to land in present-day Milford, Pike County, where the Buchanan family lived for five generations.

“At LancasterHistory, we are stewards of President James Buchahan’s Wheatland who preserve and share the story of Buchanan’s life and political career. We are grateful that Buchanan’s descendants are now the caretakers of these documents and that the history found within them is no longer lost.â€

Stephanie Celiberti, Manager of President James Buchanan’s Wheatland, LancasterHistory

LancasterHistory is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, interpreting and sharing the history of Lancaster County and its connections to Pennsylvania and American history. LancasterHistory owns and operates several historic and educational sites, including Wheatland, the former home of President James Buchanan.

Since taking office in 2021, Treasurer Garrity has returned more than $1.2 billion in unclaimed property, including a record of over $334 million last year.

Treasury is working to return more than $5 billion more to its rightful owners. More than one in ten Pennsylvanians have unclaimed property, and the average claim is worth over $1,000.

Unclaimed property includes things like dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, forgotten stocks and more. It can also include physical assets, such as collectible coins, jewelry and savings bonds, that most often come to Treasury as the contents of safe deposit boxes.

To search for unclaimed property, visit our upgraded website, searchandclaimpa.gov, designed to make finding and claiming unclaimed property easier and faster.

To learn more about Pennsylvania Treasury, visit patreasury.gov and be sure to stay up to date with all Pennsylvania Treasury news on Facebook (PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity) and Instagram (@PATreasury).

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