Princeton, NJ – New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is preparing to move into Drumthwacket this summer, marking a significant shift in how the state’s official residence is used after more than two decades of limited occupancy. The decision places the governor and her family at the historic Princeton estate full-time, a move not seen since the early 2000s and one that reestablishes the property’s original role as a working executive residence.
Mikie Sherrill issued the following statement regarding the move, “We are excited to let our fellow New Jerseyans know that we are moving our family to Drumthwacket this summer. From Day One this administration has committed to getting to work in Trenton to deliver on our commitments. We’re thrilled to further strengthen that commitment by living full time in the Governor’s official residence and being much closer to the Capital City and the State House. Drumthwacket is the people’s house, and we look also forward to continuing to bring it to life for New Jersey residents and highlight all the incredible history it offers. Our family looks forward to this exciting next chapter, and we thank the dedicated New Jersey state staff and the team at the Drumthwacket Foundation for all their work to truly make the residence a home.”
Sherrill will become the first governor to live at Drumthwacket full-time since Gov. Jim McGreevey, who resided there from 2002 to 2004. Since then, the mansion has largely functioned as a ceremonial and event space, with successive governors opting to remain in their private homes while using the residence for official functions.
The move also makes Sherrill only the second governor to occupy Drumthwacket as a primary residence since it was formally designated as the governor’s official home in 1981, signaling a notable departure from modern precedent in New Jersey politics.
A break from modern precedent
Key Points
- Gov. Mikie Sherrill will live at Drumthwacket full-time beginning this summer
- First governor to reside there since 2004, ending a decades-long pattern
- Mansion historically used for events while governors lived in private homes
State officials have long maintained Drumthwacket as a symbol of New Jersey’s executive branch, but its practical use has evolved over time. After the property underwent restoration and was opened as a governor’s residence, Gov. Jim Florio became the first to live there in 1990. His tenure established the precedent for residential use, but that practice did not consistently continue.
Following Florio, several governors—including Christine Todd Whitman, Donald DiFrancesco, Richard Codey, Jon Corzine, Chris Christie, and Phil Murphy—chose not to reside at the mansion. Instead, they maintained their private residences and used Drumthwacket primarily for official gatherings, ceremonies, and public tours.
Sherrill’s decision reverses that trend and reflects a return to the idea of the residence serving as both a home and a center of government activity. The move is also expected to place the governor closer to Trenton, where legislative and administrative operations are conducted.
Location and logistics tied to governing
Drumthwacket is located in Princeton, roughly equidistant from several key regions of the state and within commuting distance of Trenton. While not situated in the capital itself, the residence has historically offered governors a balance between accessibility and security.
Living at Drumthwacket may allow for greater flexibility in scheduling official events and hosting state functions. It also provides a centralized location for meetings and public engagement, particularly as the property is already equipped to handle formal gatherings and official duties.
The decision to move into the residence may also carry logistical and symbolic implications. By residing at the state-owned property, the governor utilizes an asset maintained for that purpose, rather than relying on private accommodations while still overseeing public operations.
Historic estate with deep New Jersey roots
Drumthwacket’s history dates back nearly two centuries and reflects multiple phases of New Jersey’s political and economic development. The original structure was built in 1835 by Charles Smith Olden, a businessman who later became governor of New Jersey during the Civil War era. The home sits on land associated with the 1777 Battle of Princeton, adding to its historical significance.
The estate underwent major expansion in 1893 when financier Moses Taylor Pyne acquired the property. Pyne added wings, a library, and formal gardens, transforming the home into a larger estate reflective of the Gilded Age. These additions remain a defining feature of the property today.
In 1941, the estate entered a new phase when it was purchased by Abram Nathaniel Spanel, founder of the International Latex Corporation. During this period, the property was used for research and development, including work tied to early spacesuit technology, before eventually being sold to the state.
New Jersey acquired Drumthwacket in 1966 with the intention of preserving it as a historic and governmental site. Over time, restoration efforts were supported through the creation of the Drumthwacket Foundation in 1982, which continues to play a role in maintaining and promoting the property.
Balancing public access and official use
Today, Drumthwacket serves a dual purpose as both a working government residence and a public historic site. The estate is often referred to as the “people’s house,” reflecting its role in hosting tours, educational programs, and community events alongside official state functions.
The property’s continued accessibility to the public has been a key component of its identity, even as its use by governors has fluctuated. Sherrill’s decision to reside there full-time may prompt adjustments to how the site balances residential privacy with public access, though no changes have been formally outlined.
The partnership between the state and the Drumthwacket Foundation remains central to preserving the estate’s historical integrity while supporting its ongoing use. Maintenance, restoration, and programming efforts are coordinated to ensure the property remains both functional and historically accurate.
Renewed role as executive residence
Sherrill’s move signals a renewed emphasis on Drumthwacket’s intended purpose as the official residence of New Jersey’s governor. By living at the estate, the governor reestablishes a direct connection between the office and the property, aligning with how similar residences are used in other states.
The decision may also influence future administrations and how they choose to utilize the residence. Whether it marks a long-term shift or remains specific to Sherrill’s tenure will likely depend on practical considerations and personal preferences of future governors.
As the summer move approaches, Drumthwacket is expected to transition from primarily a ceremonial venue back into a lived-in executive home, restoring a function that has been largely absent for more than 20 years.
