Drumthwacket has long stood as a symbol of New Jersey’s rich history, yet for too long, it has felt distant from the very people it was meant to serve. That is why, over the past seven and a half years, we have worked tirelessly to restore this historic residence—not just to preserve its beauty, but to ensure it truly reflects the diversity, ingenuity and incredible promise of the Garden State.
This restoration is so much more than reviving a building; it’s our effort to create a space that welcomes, inspires and elevates all New Jerseyans. By investing in thoughtful, strategic and historically appropriate upgrades, we are making Drumthwacket an accessible, functional and deeply representative gathering place.
A House That Feeds, Teaches, and Inspires
Gone are the days of catered meals and plastic cutlery. Instead, we have installed a commercial-grade kitchen led by our full-time chef, cultivating a farm-to-table approach that highlights New Jersey’s agricultural legacy. And our new NJ wildflower, rain and vegetable gardens, bees and composting initiatives are not just minor improvements — they provide hands-on learning opportunities for students and visitors.
To bring even more people to the table—literally—we have reimagined the space itself. Traditional large dining chairs have been replaced with smaller cocktail seating, allowing us to accommodate more guests at events and receptions. We have also expanded ADA accessibility with a new elevator and restroom, ensuring Drumthwacket is welcoming to everyone.
And our commitment to showcasing New Jersey extends even to our menus. All meals highlight New Jersey produce: local beer, wine and spirits, meats, poultry, vegetables, herbs, cheeses, even oysters and other delights from the Jersey shore, ensuring that every guest leaves with a taste of what makes our state unique.
A Showcase of New Jersey’s Diversity and Innovation
Drumthwacket is not just the Governor’s official residence—it is New Jersey’s front door to history, culture and future investment. That is why we have worked with Rutgers University’s School of Environmental and Biological Sciences to develop a master plan and innovative garden program, giving our students direct access to real-world projects at one of our state’s most important historic sites.
Inside the house, we have curated rotating New Jersey-specific museum exhibits—from historic antiques to contemporary artwork—to showcase the breadth of talent and history across our state. We have also expanded our library with New Jersey themed books especially highlighting New Jersey authors and including dedicated collections for children.
Education remains a pillar of this transformation. For the over 4,000 Title 1 students who tour and utilize the residence annually, we reconstructed the historic Van Nuys barn from Hillsborough Township which was originally built in the 1700s. This space not only ensures students have shelter during inclement weather to eat lunch and complete themed projects but also doubles as a gathering place for conferences, discussions and celebrations thus saving money on tent rentals.
Breaking Barriers and Expanding Opportunity
Every decision in this restoration has been guided by one core principle: inclusion.
The former tennis court and swimming pool have been repurposed into a mini soccer pitch, ensuring that young athletes—regardless of resources—can engage with the estate in meaningful ways.
And, we have restructured the space to better serve students and individuals with special needs, and proudly host celebrations that honor our incredibly diverse communities, including everything from Black History Month, to Native American heritage, Pride, and so much more. One of the most important parts of these celebrations is that we are not only inviting members of the specific community being recognized, but also members of many different groups. This is to ensure that that each attendee becomes an ambassador who returns to their community with new experiences and knowledge about the great diversity of our state.
A Future Built on Tradition and Growth
Drumthwacket’s transformation is not simply about restoring history—it is also about preparing for New Jersey’s future. Through public-private partnerships facilitated by the Drumthwacket Foundation, we have raised significant non profit funds to drive every improvement, ensuring that the estate remains a source of pride for generations to come.
By enhancing our bike racks, lighting and pathways, expanding our parking area, painting the home both inside and out, rehabilitating the shutters and fixing the windows so all are able to open, and working with a historic decorator to restore antique wall and ceiling murals, reupholster furniture and install window treatments, we are balancing historic preservation with modern accessibility. Every thoughtful detail, from displaying gifts that represent New Jersey’s history, like our historic state map, to designing a custom New Jersey china pattern, cements Drumthwacket’s role as a platform to showcase our state’s excellence and unique identity.
This allows us to host visitors from out of state – or even from other countries – in a space that makes people feel excited to be a part of what is happening in New Jersey, increasing opportunities for investment in our great state.
History is being made every day in New Jersey, and Drumthwacket now stands ready to reflect that. I am proud of the progress we have achieved, and I hope that future governors continue this tradition—taking pride in this extraordinary space and ensuring it remains a symbol of opportunity for all who call New Jersey home.
And above all, I invite every New Jerseyan to come visit and enjoy this beautiful and special place.
