Gov. Mikie Sherrill and First Gentleman Jason Hedberg have officially moved into Drumthwacket, marking a return to full-time residential use of New Jersey’s historic governor’s mansion in Princeton.
In a statement released last week, the governor said her family completed the move and is looking forward to making the residence “The People’s House.”
“Drumthwacket is more than the Governor’s residence — it is ‘The People’s House,'” Sherrill said. “We’re excited to bring it to life with our family, open its doors to New Jerseyans, and share the rich history and heritage that make this place so special.”
Sherrill said living at Drumthwacket will place her family closer to the State House and the day-to-day work of state government while continuing the tradition of opening the historic property to the public.
“I’ve always said I will be a Governor for all of New Jersey, and living here puts us at the heart of our state — closer to the State House, the Capital City, and the important work we came here to do for every New Jerseyan,” she said.
The move fulfills plans the governor announced earlier this year to make Drumthwacket her family’s full-time residence. While the Princeton estate has long served as New Jersey’s official governor’s mansion, several recent governors chose to live elsewhere during their terms.
Earlier this spring, MercerMe contributor Kim Robinson toured Drumthwacket as the transition was being announced. The estate, whose name means “wooded hill,” sits on land dating to William Penn’s original land purchases and is known for its historic architecture, art collection and views overlooking the Princeton Battlefield.
Robinson described the mansion’s formal dining room, Music Room, library and the governor’s distinctive horseshoe-shaped study—known by staff as the “Oval Office”—while encouraging residents to experience the property firsthand.
Although the governor’s family has now taken up residence, public tours and educational programming at Drumthwacket will continue. Free guided tours are offered on select Wednesdays by advance reservation through the Drumthwacket Foundation.
Before leaving their longtime home in Essex County, Sherrill and Hedberg thanked state employees and the Drumthwacket Foundation for helping make the transition possible.
“Our family is excited to mark this milestone and begin this new chapter,” the governor said.
