Tusculum, Historical estate in Princeton, US

Tusculum is a country estate on Cherry Hill Road in Princeton, New Jersey, built in 1773 for John Witherspoon, president of Princeton University and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The property is named after the Roman town of Tusculum, home to Cicero's country villa.

Tusculum was built in 1773 for John Witherspoon, president of Princeton University and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. In 1793, with Witherspoon aging, the property was put up for sale and drew interest from many refugees. It was sold in 2013 for $5.5 million.

The name comes from the Roman town of Tusculum, home to Cicero's country villa, a classical reference chosen by John Witherspoon, president of Princeton and signer of the Declaration of Independence. George Washington and his wife Martha visited the house during Witherspoon's presidency. In 1793, as Witherspoon's age declined, the property was offered for sale and drew many refugees.

Tusculum stands on Cherry Hill Road in Princeton, on a privately owned parcel; the 1773 house is not a public museum and has no visitor facilities. Its National Register listing documents the site rather than opening it, so view the grounds only from the public road. The property changed hands in 2013 for $5.5 million.

The name refers to the Roman town of Tusculum, home to Cicero's country villa, a model John Witherspoon, Princeton's president and a Declaration signer, knew from classical reading. The house was sold in 2013 for $5.5 million.