By Matthew Hersh
Gov. Mikie Sherrill and her family have moved into Drumthwacket, making the historic Stockton Street mansion their full-time home and returning New Jersey’s official governor’s residence to residential use after more than two decades.
Sherrill and first gentleman Jason Hedberg announced on August 14 that the family had completed the move from Montclair, where they had lived for 16 years. Sherrill announced in April that the family would relocate to Princeton, citing the shorter commute to Trenton and the State House.
“The governor and first gentleman look forward to being part of Princeton’s vibrant community,” a spokesperson for the governor’s office told Town Topics this week. “They are grateful for the warm welcome and are excited to share the ‘People’s House’ and its rich history with the Garden State.”
When Sherrill first announced her intention to move to Drumthwacket,
Amy Cradic, chair of the Drumthwacket Foundation, welcomed the decision. “As stewards of the official residence of New Jersey’s governor, the Foundation offers a warm welcome to the first family,” Cradic said at the time. “We are excited they are making this important residence their home and taking part in the property’s rich history.”
The move makes Sherrill only the third New Jersey governor to live at Drumthwacket full time since it became the official gubernatorial residence in 1982. Gov. James Florio and Gov. James McGreevey were the previous full-time occupants, according to the Princeton Historic Preservation Commission.
In a history of Drumthwacket published earlier this month, the Historic Preservation Commission noted that the property has a much longer gubernatorial history. Charles Smith Olden, who served as governor from 1860 to 1863, built the central portion of the present mansion beginning in 1835. The state purchased Drumthwacket in 1966 with the intention of making it the official residence of the
governor.
Before Drumthwacket, Morven, also located on Stockton Street, served as New Jersey’s governor’s mansion from 1944 to 1982.
Rhonda DiMascio, executive director of Morven Museum and Garden, said in April that the governor’s move to Princeton is “exciting news for Princeton.”
“Drumthwacket has long been an important historic site, and its renewed use brings fresh attention to that legacy,” DiMascio said. “I’m sure it will spark broader interest in the rich history we have here — especially as we launch into the 250th anniversary of American independence.”
Drumthwacket has also long served as a site for public events. The Drumthwacket Foundation has hosted annual holiday open houses, when visitors can tour six first-floor rooms decorated by the Garden Clubs of New Jersey, listen to holiday music and, weather permitting, visit the grounds. The foundation also hosts an annual Spring Carnival for children with special needs, a free event featuring games, arts activities, pony rides and a treasure hunt. It has not been noted if those activities will continue with the governor in residence.
In announcing the move, Sherrill and Hedberg said they looked forward to highlighting the mansion’s history.
For more information on Drumthwacket, visit drumthwacket.org.