Sherrill To Move Out Of North Jersey Home This Summer

PRINCETON, NJ — Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced Friday that she and her family will move to Drumthwacket this summer, making her the first New Jersey governor to live full-time at the state's official executive residence in more than 20 years.

Sherrill, who has lived in Montclair with her husband, Jason Hedberg, and their four children, said the move to Princeton reflects her administration's commitment to governing from Trenton.

"From Day One this administration has committed to getting to work in Trenton to deliver on our commitments," Sherrill said in a statement. "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."

Sherrill would be only the third governor to reside at Drumthwacket since it became the official executive residence in 1981. Jim Florio, who served from 1990 to 1994, and Jim McGreevey, who served from 2002 to 2004, were the only others to live there full time. Other governors used the Princeton estate primarily for meetings and official functions.

Situated at 354 Stockton St. on nearly 12 acres, Drumthwacket is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Construction of the main residence began in 1835 under Charles Smith Olden, who later became the first governor to live there after his election in 1860. The property sits on land that witnessed the 1777 Princeton battle for American independence.

The name Drumthwacket is Scots-Gaelic for "wooded hill," drawn from an estate featured in Sir Walter Scott's historical novel "A Legend of the Wars of Montrose."

The estate was later expanded into its current form by industrialist Moses Taylor Pyne, who purchased the property in 1893 and added both wings — featuring a paneled library and formal Italianate gardens modeled after the Villa Gamberaia in Settignano, Italy.

The state purchased the property in 1966 with the intent of using it as the governor's residence.

The governor said she intends to keep Drumthwacket open and accessible to New Jersey residents, describing it as a shared resource.

"Drumthwacket is the people's house, and we look forward to continuing to bring it to life for New Jersey residents and highlight all the incredible history it offers," Sherrill said.

The Foundation currently offers free guided tours most Wednesdays, as well as school field trips and holiday open houses in December.

Sherrill thanked state staff and the Drumthwacket Foundation for their work preparing the residence.

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