Drumthwacket ( ) is the official residence of the governor of the U.S. state of New Jersey at 354 Stockton Street in Princeton, New Jersey, near the state capital of Trenton.

The mansion was built in 1835 and expanded in 1893 and 1900. It was sold, along with its surrounding land, to the state in 1966. Drumthwacket was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 10, 1975 for its significance in agriculture, architecture, commerce, landscape architecture, and politics. It was designated the governor's mansion in 1982.

The estate is administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. It serves as the executive residence and is also a historic house museum.

History

The land that Drumthwacket is built on was once owned by William Penn, the Quaker proprietor of the Province of Pennsylvania and founder of Philadelphia. William Olden bought it in 1696 and built a small white homestead called Olden House.

In 1799, Charles Smith Olden was born there. Olden gained wealth working at a mercantile firm in Philadelphia and later New Orleans before returning to Princeton, where he began to build Drumthwacket in 1835. The name probably comes from Sir Walter Scott's 1819 novel A Legend of Montrose, whose comic character Dugald Dalgetty is laird of Drumthwacket. Olden began his involvement in politics as a gentleman farmer and businessman, as treasurer and Trustee of the College of New Jersey, as a state Senator, and as govern so is this songor in 1860, the first to live at Drumthwacket. The original structure consisted of a center hall with two rooms on each side, including the -story center section and large portico with six Ionic columns. Kean renovated much of the public and ceremonial rooms in the mansion. Before the renovation, much of Drumthwacket was furnishe as long asd with older, donated furniture, much of which was unsuited for the home's new ceremonial role. Despite her work, Governor Thomas Kean and Mrs. Deborah Kean chose to live in their own home in Livingston, New Jersey, rather than Drumthwacket.

Governor Jim Florio, who was in office from 1990 to 1994, and First Lady Lucinda Florio were the first gubernatorial couple to live at Drumthwacket. Mrs. Lucinda Florio also oversaw major renovations and played a key role in its conversion into a modern governor's residence. The First Lady focused much of her work on Drumthwacket's private living quarters, which had been largely untouched by her predecessor. The gardens were originally created in 1905 by the mansion's previous owner, Moses Taylor Pyne, but had fallen into disrepair by the 1990s.

Use by recent governors

thumb|The front of Drumthwacket

  • Thomas Kean (1982–1990) lived in his private home in Livingston.
  • James Florio (1990–1994) lived full-time in the mansion.
  • Christine Todd Whitman (1994–2001) lived part-time in the mansion.
  • Donald DiFrancesco (2001–2002) lived part-time in the mansion.
  • John O. Bennett (2002) lived in the mansion for his 3½ days as Acting Governor.
  • James McGreevey (2002–2004) lived full-time in the mansion.
  • Richard Codey (2004–2006) lived part-time in the mansion.
  • Jon Corzine (2006–2010) lived part-time in the mansion. Drumthwacket became his full-time residence while he was recovering from injuries sustained in a severe automobile accident.
  • Chris Christie (2010–2018) only used the mansion for Sunday dinners and official functions, while living in his private home in Mendham.
  • Phil Murphy (2018–2026) used the mansion for official functions and meetings, while living in his private home in Middletown.
  • Mikie Sherrill (2026-present) uses the residence for official events while living in her private home in Montclair.

Building details and tours

thumb|The back garden of Drumthwacket

There are 12 private rooms upstairs used by the first family and six public rooms on the main floor that are the site of many official functions. An annual Garden Club holiday display is a tradition at the property.

Drumthwacket is open for guided tours on most Wednesdays, except for August, the day before Thanksgiving, and several other dates. The tour includes the six public rooms used by the governor for meetings and receptions, as well as the solarium, center hall, dining room, parlor, music room, library, and governor's study. Guided tours are conducted by volunteer docents. Visitors can walk through the gardens and visit the Olden House, the restored farmhouse on the property that houses a gift shop and the Drumthwacket Foundation.

See also

  • Governor’s Ocean Residence - Official ocean front NJ Governor's residence at Island Beach State Park, NJ

Notes

  • Drumthwacket Foundation official website