I visited Drumthwacket (otherwise known as the Governor’s Mansion) for the first time earlier this month, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has even a remote interest in history or government.
Editor’s note: Kim’s visit comes at a moment when New Jersey’s official residence is about to receive renewed attention. Governor Mikie Sherrill and First Gentleman Jason Hedberg recently announced plans to move their family into Drumthwacket this summer, making it their full-time home and marking a return to regular residential use of the historic Princeton estate. While Drumthwacket has long served as the governor’s official residence, many recent governors have chosen to live elsewhere. Sherrill said the move will bring her family closer to Trenton and help reinforce the idea that “Drumthwacket is the people’s house,” while continuing public tours and educational programs at the property.
The purchase of the land that the home sits on dates back to William Penn’s time, when Penn purchased a large tract of land, including Princeton. The name “Drumthwacket” means “wooded hill,” and once you visit, it becomes clear why they chose that name. As you enter the foyer, you immediately see the attention to period detail.
The formal dining room (with the largest mahogany table I’ve ever seen) is absolutely spectacular. A 1906 Tiffany & Co. silver punch bowl, built for the USS New Jersey, reigns in the middle of the table, and twenty-nine vibrant green and rose-colored chinoiserie panels line the walls. A Fette rug made with natural dyes covers the floor.
The Music Room, located in the west side of Drumthwacket known as the “West Wing,” features a grand piano and is often used for receptions and exhibitions.
I cannot say enough good things about the docents who work there. They know literally every detail of that house by heart, down to every piece of furniture and its provenance, every piece of art, and who gifted it. I literally could not write fast enough to catch it all. One more reason to take the tour yourself.
On the right side of the building is the Governor’s office, which the staff refer to as the “Oval Office” because of its exterior shape. I can see it. I believe we saw three tall case clocks on the tour, at least one made of mahogany.
Moving into the parlor, where guests are greeted, a portrait of George Washington hangs above the fireplace. This room also boasts a 1765 hutch, a gold gilt mirror with an eagle on top, and a portrait of General George McClellan, the 24th governor of New Jersey.
The Music Room in the West Wing was added in 1901 and serves as a gathering space for important events.
But the library was my favorite, and I’m guessing the favorite of many visitors. Designed by Raldigh C. Gildersleeve and completed in 1905, it can only be described as magnificent. The library was encased with metal panels to protect it in the event of a fire.
The Governor’s Study, located in the West Wing, is a horseshoe-shaped room. Part of the study, the “Oval Office,” is complete with an oval mahogany desk, flanked by the American and New Jersey flags, along with a small library and sofa. This study looks out onto the Princeton Battlefield, a reminder of the “ten crucial days” of the Revolution.
After the tour ends, guests are invited to linger on the grounds. We did just that. I would encourage anyone to take the tour and learn about the history of Drumthwacket. There is so much to explore, including the Seward Johnson sculpture on the grounds, “Between Appointments.”
Free public tours are available on select Wednesdays, but advance registration is required. Visithttps://drumthwacket.org/visit/public-tours/ to register.
