Susan Bertrand considers herself to be a very lucky lady. Whenever she wants to time travel back in history, all she has to do is walk a couple of steps over to her landlord’s house — a historic landma
By Charley Falkenburg, Special to the Packet
Susan Bertrand considers herself to be a very lucky lady.
Whenever she wants to time travel back in history, all she has to do is walk a couple of steps over to her landlord’s house — a historic landmark better known as “The Barracks,” the oldest home in Princeton.
The modest two-story on Edgehill Street dates back to the 1600s and was housing soldiers during the French and Indian and wars. Flash forward centuries later and it’s not only still standing, but its preservation over years has captured many hearts and admiration.
”I’m very fortunate and I thank my lucky stars every day,” said Ms. Bertrand, who rents a cottage on the property. “My neighbors appreciate the beauty and felt this duty to restore it and showcase it.”
And on Saturday, hundreds of people got the opportunity to admire what Ms. Bertrand sees on a regular basis.
The Barracks was one of the five houses on the Historical Society of Princeton’s 2013 House Tour. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., participants hopped in their cars and flitted from house to house to learn, admire and maybe even get some decorating ideas.
The owners of The Barracks weren’t home that day, but they had plenty of visitors. Many of them appeared to be drawn toward a small room that featured a big, dormant fireplace. Princetonians Carol and Andy Hollingsworth, however, were in the kitchen and pantry area.
”What impresses me is that this house is so old, yet all the historic elements have been preserved,” said Mr. Hollingsworth.
His wife nodded in agreement. “And they modernized it, but they did it tastefully,” she added.
Not too far away, people were making their way up the gravel driveway to 250 Mercer Street. The pale yellow Classical Revival architecture was the brainchild of Charles Steadman, a 19th century architect. It was bought in 2010 and, according to real estate agent Zeida Jimenez, the new owner didn’t need much convincing.
”She said the carvings (above the front door) reminded her of Russian palaces and said ‘I’ll take it’ before she even walked into the foyer,” said Ms. Jimenez.
But beyond the foyer were large, spacious rooms with shiny hardwood floors. Princetonian Patrice Allenby walked into the open living room and looked at a few shelves that featured traditional Russian dolls, painted vases and books.
”I love the wallpaper, the paint colors and the wood work,” said Ms. Allenby. “You just can’t make things like this anymore – sure you can replicate it, but it’s just not the same.”
Going up the carpeted spiral staircase, the second floor revealed bedrooms, an office and a storage room that included every girl’s dream: a shoe closet filled with well more than 50 pairs of designer heels, boots and flats.
While the house on Mercer Street was an easy find, 75 North Road appeared to more of a hidden gem. It also had a lot more yard, which included a tennis court, swimming pool, greenhouse and a cottage used as a personal gym.
Meredith Asplundh and her husband, Tim Gardner, bought the house in 2005 when they relocated from London. For Ms. Asplundh, it was important that house actually felt like a home rather than a museum.
”I wanted every room to look lived in. The house is really liveable – it’s nothing that the kids can ruin,” she added, referring to her two children.
But she does have a particular point of pride and that is her kitchen, a large room that at that moment was flooded with sunlight. Like many of the other rooms, it was filled with many personal touches such as framed photographs, cookbooks, candles and calendars.
The house was a whole lot different than from what next-door-neighbor Mary Lott remembered from her childhood. Ms. Lott grew up next door and was around before the home was even built.
”I haven’t been to the house since I was a child, but it is gorgeous,” she said. “Everything is so new – it’s really kind of cool.”
For those looking for a new pad, the 22-acre mansion at 300 Pretty Brook Road is up for grabs for a few million dollars. The New York architect who built the house has also done work for notable names such as the Astors, Vanderbilts and the Rockefellers. People could be seen venturing all around the property, checking out the tennis court, terrace, the greenhouse and the garden. Inside, people studied wares imported from Europe, the immaculate six bedrooms and two guest rooms and the conservatory.
Many appeared to save the Colonial Revival-style house at 233 Carter Road for last. A circa 1920s home, often described as “all-American country” in appearance, received much appreciation from the visitors, but it was the renovated barn that really drew the crowds. When the owners bought the property two years ago, they decided to tear down the barn and start anew.
”We took it down and built it from the ground up,” said Max Hayden, the architect of the barn. “The structure is fun – such as the grid work within the room.”
It was nearing 4 p.m. and Mike Silvestrov, his wife, Faith, and their daughter, Jacqueline, were all there checking out the barn before the tour ended. The Robbinsville family comes every year to the House Tour, but agreed this year’s was the best.
”All the houses are different and unique – they put together a good selection of homes,” said Mr. Silvestrov.
Once the tour came to a close, the cashier in front of the house reported 486 people had viewed the Carter Road residence that day. As people trickled down the driveway, a car pulled up and a man and his daughter got out. It was the owner, Tyler Vernon.
Mr. Vernon and his wife both grew up on older farmsteads so when they moved in two years ago, it just felt right. With a trout-filled brook, Terhune Orchards and 100-acres of preserved land within arm’s reach, Mr. Vernon considered this the perfect place to raise his family.
”It’s private, beautiful and I love the peacefulness,” said Mr. Vernon. “It just felt like home when I came here.”

