Drumthwacket

Drumthwacket is the official residence of the Governor of New Jersey in Princeton. The symmetrical facade displays tall white columns in the Greek Revival style that extend across the entire front of the house.

The property was built in 1835 on land that once belonged to William Penn. Moses Taylor Pyne expanded the house in the late 19th century by adding two side wings and designing the Italian gardens.

The name comes from Scottish Gaelic meaning wooded hill, reflecting the original landscape surrounding the property. On certain tour dates visitors may see the dining room set with historic china or walk through drawing rooms arranged as they were when governors received guests.

Guided tours take place every Wednesday and require advance booking through the foundation website. The public reception rooms form the focus of the visit, as the private areas used by the governor are not accessible.

During the Battle of Princeton in 1777, the front line ran through what was then farmland here. Today, information panels in the gardens mark the position of the fighting and show the original topography of the site.