PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Monday is Presidents Day, and there are plenty of fun activities for history lovers of all ages in central Pennsylvania.
Presidents Day is celebrated each year on the third Monday in February.
But, Presidents Day is not the official name of the holiday. The federally recognized name is Washington’s Birthday, after founding father and first president George Washington.
For many years, it was celebrated on his actual birth date, Feb. 22, and became a national holiday in 1879.
In 1968, U.S. Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, a law that moved some federal holidays to designated Mondays to create more three-day weekends for federal employees.
Washington's birthday was moved to the third Monday of February and combined with president Abraham Lincoln's birthday on Feb. 12.
Now, the holiday is used to celebrate all presidents.
There are plenty of things to do here in central Pennsylvania to celebrate.
In Lancaster, you can learn more about James Buchanan—the only president elected from Pennsylvania—in his home at Wheatland.
Guests can uncover the lesser-known aspects of Buchanan's administration that influenced his tenure as a one-term president, including his efforts for territorial expansion and his struggle with corruption in the war department.
Tours run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets will be $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students (ages 11-17 or with college ID).
For younger historians, there will be a free Presidents Day story time, which includes a reading session with a themed craft or activity.
Over in Gettysburg, there are special Presidents Day activities for kids at the Children of Gettysburg museum from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are free for children under 12 with a ticketed adult (ages 13+). Tickers for adults are $9.95.
There’s also a Presidents Day walking tour in Gettysburg. Guests can walk the steps of three presidents who left their mark there, including Abraham Lincoln, Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children (ages 9-17) and free for children under 8.
The tour is 60 minutes long and runs at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.