Drumthwacket
Encyclopedia
Drumthwacket is the official residence
of the governor of New Jersey
. The mansion
is located at 354 Stockton Street in Princeton
, New Jersey
, close to the state capital of Trenton
. (It is one of only four official governor's residences in the country that is not located within its state capital; the other three are in Wisconsin
, Ohio
, and Tennessee
.)
Drumthwacket and the surrounding land was sold to the state in 1966 and was designated as the governor's mansion in 1982. The estate is administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
. The non-profit
Drumthwacket Foundation is responsible for preserving
, restoring
, and curating
the house and grounds. In addition to being an executive residence, the home is also a historic house museum. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1975.
, the Quaker
proprietor of the Province of Pennsylvania
. William Olden acquired the property in 1696. A small white homestead by Stockton Street called Olden House was later built on the site, and 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, giving it its name from two Scottish Gaelic words that mean "wooded hill." Olden began his involvement in politics as a gentleman farmer and businessman, as treasurer and Trustee of the College of New Jersey
(now Princeton University
), as a state Senator
, and finally as governor in 1860, when he became the first governor 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
, which remains today.
In 1893, the financier, industrialist, and Princeton University benefactor Moses Taylor Pyne
purchased Drumthwacket for the sum of $15,000 from Olden's widow. Pyne was responsible for major expansions of the home, turning it into a magnificent estate. Pyne's enlargements transformed the estate, completely "surpassing anything previously built in Princeton." Pyne's huge wealth allowed him to add two wings on each side of the house, in 1893 and 1900, both designed by Raleigh C. Gildersleeve (who also designed many Princeton University buildings) and including a paneled
library. Pyne also added park-like landscaping, greenhouse
s, bridle path
s, a dairy farm
, and formal Italian garden
s.
Pyne died in 1921; the property, including the house and twelve surrounding acres, was sold by Pyne's one grandchild Agnes Pyne in 1941 to Abram Nathaniel Spanel. Spanel was an industrialist and inventor who had immigrated
from Russia
as a child. He founded the International Latex Corporation
, which later became the International Playtex Corporation. Many of Spanel's engineers staff lived at Drumthwacket, and many of his patent
ed inventions were conceived in what later became known as the Music Room.
In 1966, the Spanels sold the estate to New Jersey with the intent that it be used as the governor's official residence, to replace Morven, the old governor's mansion. However, it took 15 years for the estate to be used as an official residence, with the New Jersey Historical Society in 1981 finally raising enough funds. In 1982, the Drumthwacket Foundation was formed.
Drumthwacket is open for guided tours on most Wednesdays, except for the entire month of 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 conduced by volunteer docents
. Visitors are also welcome to walk through the gardens and visit the Olden House, the restored farmhouse on the property that is home to the gift shop and Drumthwacket Foundation.
Official residence
An official residence is the residence at which heads of state, heads of government, gubernatorial or other senior figures officially reside...
of the governor of New Jersey
Governor of New Jersey
The Office of the Governor of New Jersey is the executive branch for the U.S. state of New Jersey. The office of Governor is an elected position, for which elected officials serve four year terms. While individual politicians may serve as many terms as they can be elected to, Governors cannot be...
. The mansion
Mansion
A mansion is a very large dwelling house. U.S. real estate brokers define a mansion as a dwelling of over . A traditional European mansion was defined as a house which contained a ballroom and tens of bedrooms...
is located at 354 Stockton Street in Princeton
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, close to the state capital of Trenton
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
. (It is one of only four official governor's residences in the country that is not located within its state capital; the other three are in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Governor's Mansion
The Executive Residence, known better as the Governor's Mansion, is located at 99 Cambridge Road in the Village of Maple Bluff, Wisconsin on the eastern shore of Lake Mendota...
, Ohio
Ohio Governor's Mansion
The Ohio Governor's Residence and Heritage Garden is the official residence of the Governor of Ohio. The residence was built during 1923–1925 by industrialist Malcolm D. Jeffrey and has served as the official home of the governor since 1957...
, and Tennessee
Tennessee Governor's Mansion
The Tennessee Governor's Mansion, located in Nashville, Tennessee, is the official residence of the Governor of Tennessee and his family. This Georgian-style mansion was built for William Ridley Wills and his family in 1929; the state purchased it in 1949 and it has served as the home of...
.)
Drumthwacket and the surrounding land was sold to the state in 1966 and was designated as the governor's mansion in 1982. The estate is administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is a government agency in the U.S. state of New Jersey that is responsible for managing the state's natural resources and addressing issues related to pollution...
. The non-profit
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
Drumthwacket Foundation is responsible for preserving
Historic preservation
Historic preservation is an endeavor that seeks to preserve, conserve and protect buildings, objects, landscapes or other artifacts of historical significance...
, restoring
Building restoration
Building restoration describes a particular treatment approach and philosophy within the field of architectural conservation. According the U.S...
, and curating
Curator
A curator is a manager or overseer. Traditionally, a curator or keeper of a cultural heritage institution is a content specialist responsible for an institution's collections and involved with the interpretation of heritage material...
the house and grounds. In addition to being an executive residence, the home is also a historic house museum. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1975.
History
The land that it is built upon was once owned by William PennWilliam Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
, the Quaker
Religious Society of Friends
The Religious Society of Friends, or Friends Church, is a Christian movement which stresses the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. Members are known as Friends, or popularly as Quakers. It is made of independent organisations, which have split from one another due to doctrinal differences...
proprietor of the Province of Pennsylvania
Province of Pennsylvania
The Province of Pennsylvania, also known as Pennsylvania Colony, was founded in British America by William Penn on March 4, 1681 as dictated in a royal charter granted by King Charles II...
. William Olden acquired the property in 1696. A small white homestead by Stockton Street called Olden House was later built on the site, and in 1799 Charles Smith Olden
Charles Smith Olden
Charles Smith Olden was an American Republican Party politician, who served as the 19th Governor of New Jersey from 1860 to 1863 during the first part of the American Civil War.-Biography:...
was born there. Olden gained wealth working at a mercantile
Merchant
A merchant is a businessperson who trades in commodities that were produced by others, in order to earn a profit.Merchants can be one of two types:# A wholesale merchant operates in the chain between producer and retail merchant...
firm in Philadelphia and later New Orleans before returning to Princeton, where he began to build Drumthwacket in 1835, giving it its name from two Scottish Gaelic words that mean "wooded hill." Olden began his involvement in politics as a gentleman farmer and businessman, as treasurer and Trustee of the College of New Jersey
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
(now Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
), as a state Senator
New Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
, and finally as governor in 1860, when he became the first governor 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
Portico
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls...
with six Ionic columns
Ionic order
The Ionic order forms one of the three orders or organizational systems of classical architecture, the other two canonic orders being the Doric and the Corinthian...
, which remains today.
In 1893, the financier, industrialist, and Princeton University benefactor Moses Taylor Pyne
Moses Taylor Pyne
Moses Taylor Pyne , was a financier and philanthropist, and one of Princeton University's greatest benefactors and most influential Trustees....
purchased Drumthwacket for the sum of $15,000 from Olden's widow. Pyne was responsible for major expansions of the home, turning it into a magnificent estate. Pyne's enlargements transformed the estate, completely "surpassing anything previously built in Princeton." Pyne's huge wealth allowed him to add two wings on each side of the house, in 1893 and 1900, both designed by Raleigh C. Gildersleeve (who also designed many Princeton University buildings) and including a paneled
Panelling
Panelling is a wall covering constructed from rigid or semi-rigid components. These are traditionally interlocking wood, but could be plastic or other materials....
library. Pyne also added park-like landscaping, greenhouse
Greenhouse
A greenhouse is a building in which plants are grown. These structures range in size from small sheds to very large buildings...
s, bridle path
Bridle path
A bridle path is a thoroughfare originally made for horses, but which these days serves a wide range of interests, including hikers, walkers and cyclists as well as equestrians. The laws relating to permissions vary from country to country...
s, a dairy farm
Dairy farming
Dairy farming is a class of agricultural, or an animal husbandry, enterprise, for long-term production of milk, usually from dairy cows but also from goats and sheep, which may be either processed on-site or transported to a dairy factory for processing and eventual retail sale.Most dairy farms...
, and formal Italian garden
Garden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a residential garden, but the term garden has...
s.
Pyne died in 1921; the property, including the house and twelve surrounding acres, was sold by Pyne's one grandchild Agnes Pyne in 1941 to Abram Nathaniel Spanel. Spanel was an industrialist and inventor who had immigrated
Immigration to the United States
Immigration to the United States has been a major source of population growth and cultural change throughout much of the history of the United States. The economic, social, and political aspects of immigration have caused controversy regarding ethnicity, economic benefits, jobs for non-immigrants,...
from Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
as a child. He founded the International Latex Corporation
Playtex
Playtex and PlayTex are a brand and trademark. It used to be associated with bras and women's undergarments. Currently there are two separate companies with the Playtex name....
, which later became the International Playtex Corporation. Many of Spanel's engineers staff lived at Drumthwacket, and many of his patent
Patent
A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
ed inventions were conceived in what later became known as the Music Room.
In 1966, the Spanels sold the estate to New Jersey with the intent that it be used as the governor's official residence, to replace Morven, the old governor's mansion. However, it took 15 years for the estate to be used as an official residence, with the New Jersey Historical Society in 1981 finally raising enough funds. In 1982, the Drumthwacket Foundation was formed.
Use by the Governors
- Thomas KeanThomas KeanThomas Howard Kean is an American Republican Party politician, who served as the 48th Governor of New Jersey from 1982 to 1990. Kean is best known globally, however, for his 2002 appointment as Chairman of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, widely known as the...
(1982–1990) lived in his private home. - James FlorioJames FlorioJames Joseph "Jim" Florio is a Democratic politician who served as the 49th Governor of New Jersey from 1990 to 1994, the first Italian American to hold the position...
(1990–1994) lived fulltime in the mansion. - Christine Todd WhitmanChristine Todd WhitmanChristine Todd "Christie" Whitman is an American Republican politician and author who served as the 50th Governor of New Jersey from 1994 to 2001, and was the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in the administration of President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2003. She was New...
(1994–2001) lived part time in the mansion. - Donald DiFrancescoDonald DiFrancescoDonald Thomas DiFrancesco was the 51st Governor of New Jersey from 2001 to 2002 by virtue of his status as President of the New Jersey Senate, the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature....
(2001–2002) lived part time in the mansion. - John O. BennettJohn O. BennettJohn O. Bennett III is a former New Jersey Republican politician who served as State Senator, President of the State Senate, and Acting Governor of New Jersey during the course of his career.-Education:...
(2002) lived in the mansion for his 3½ days as Acting Governor. - James McGreevey (2002–2004) lived fulltime in the mansion.
- Richard CodeyRichard CodeyRichard James Codey is an American Democratic Party politician who served as the 53rd Governor of New Jersey from November 2004 to January 2006. He has served in the New Jersey Senate since 1981 and served as the President of the Senate from 2002 to January 2010. He represents the 27th Legislative...
(2004–2006) lived part time in the mansion. - Jon CorzineJon CorzineJon Stevens Corzine is the former CEO of Goldman Sachs and of MF Global, and a one time American politician, who served as the 54th Governor of New Jersey from 2006 to 2010. A Democrat, Corzine served five years of a six-year U.S. Senate term representing New Jersey before being elected Governor...
(2006–2010) lived part time in the mansion. - Chris Christie (2010–) uses the mansion for Sunday dinners and official functions, while living in his private home.
Building details and tours
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 the entire month of August, the day before Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
, 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
Dining room
A dining room is a room for consuming food. In modern times it is usually adjacent to the kitchen for convenience in serving, although in medieval times it was often on an entirely different floor level...
, parlor, music room, library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
, and governor's study
Study (room)
A study is a room in a house which is used for paperwork, computer work, or reading. Historically, the study of a house was reserved for use as the private office and reading room of a family father as the formal head of a household, but today studies are generally either used to operate a home...
. Guided tours are conduced by volunteer docents
Museum docent
Museum docent is a title used in the United States for educators trained to further the public's understanding of the cultural and historical collections of the institution, including local and national museums, zoos, historical landmarks, and parks. In many cases, docents, in addition to their...
. Visitors are also welcome to walk through the gardens and visit the Olden House, the restored farmhouse on the property that is home to the gift shop and Drumthwacket Foundation.
External links
- Drumthwacket Foundation official website