545 Mercer Rd

Here is a unique opportunity to live in historic Clarke Cottage, circa 1725, in Princeton's Battlefield/Stony Brook Settlement Historic District, just steps to the Park (best place to fly a kite in town and participate in all its historic events) and so close to the heart of town for shopping and fine dining. Extensive documentation goes with this property, detailing its history from the beginning as part of the Benjamin Clarke farm until 1894, through purchase by Moses Taylor Pyne as part of the estate now known as Drumthwacket, the New Jersey Governor's Residence. Following the pattern typical of modest dwellings in colonial times when Princeton was founded, the core of the house consisted of one room with a fireplace for cooking and heat, with pie stairs up to the bedroom. Also typical, the house was added to in the late 1700s and updated through to the present, cherished and curated since 1993 by the late preservationist and historian Donald G. Warnock Jr. Today the house has all the charms of its history along with expected modern conveniences, a garage and 2 garden sheds. The entry foyer with sitting area and bay window leads to the main living room with fireplace. A step down is the dining room -- the original room -- with its oversized but at present decorative colonial fireplace, a perfect setting for an intimate candlelight dinner. The kitchen is modern, with hardwood floors and eating area, skylit for cheeriness and with a nearby powder room. Upstairs is the later addition main bedroom, second bedroom and full bath -- and up those pie stairs is the original bedroom, offering a special private space for a guest, a study or a playroom. There's a screened porch for summer enjoyment outside and the garden offers paths with stone benches for relaxing and appreciating nature. Sit and absorb the ambiance of times past in the place where General Washington turned the tide of our nascent Revolution. This is not just another home, this is a living treasure awaiting your passion and care for its heritage.