Saturday, October 31, 2009

Welcome to Princeton &
the 2009 House Tour

Welcome

Well, today is Halloween, Saturday, October 31st, and the day of my very first blog post. You can probably guess that this blog is about Princeton, New Jersey - daily life, activities, history, and of course, housing, my favorite subject. It will be about everything or anything to do with my home town, and possibly yours, if you decide that you absolutely must live here too! I personally invite you to explore this beautiful town with me and to try it on for size.

Upcoming Events

As I turn back my clocks tonight, I look forward to long months of shortened, ever colder days. Yes, the seasons in the Northeast are just amazing. I love Palm trees too, but not on a permanent basis. Surprisingly, the next two months have always been my favorite months in Princeton.

Princeton, a fabled "grandmother's" town ("over the river and through the woods"...yada yada yada) is a great place to celebrate Thanksgiving. I can give you some excellent pie recipes and the best stuffing recipe in the world (my mom's, of course!). The day following Thanksgiving, the official Christmas tree lighting ceremony takes place at Palmer Square. This event draws people of all faiths to the picturesque town center to enjoy holiday songs performed by one of Princeton's talented choirs. As the temperature grows crisper and the last colorful leaves swirl in the air, the evening is electrified by thousands of multi-colored lights and children's voices. Adding to the seasonal festiveness, wreaths and bows decorate the shops and lampposts around the Square. For the next six weeks, the town will be filled with local shoppers and visitors from all over. It is small town living at its best. Quaint, upbeat, and energetic!


2009 House Tour

But first, hear this! Before all the holiday excitement begins, there is an annual Princeton event which I find to be equally anticipated and enjoyed. This is the 2009 House Tour sponsored by the Historical Society of Princeton and it will take place on Saturday, November 7th, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. It is a self-guided tour of eight historic homes, including five of the outlying buildings on the former Moses Taylor Pyne estate, known as Drumthwacket, now the official New Jersey Governor's residence.

Uniquely restored and adapted, these now residential properties, once served as a coach house with stables, a dairy barn, a greenhouse, a master gardener's or superintendant's house, and a garden house with striking round brick water tower. The three additional homes, not part of the Pyne estate, date from the 1730's, the mid-nineteenth century, and early twentieth century. A $40. contribution gains you entry into all eight houses where docents will answer your questions about the properties. You can even buy one of these houses if you wish, for the modest sum of $4,350,000, and I would be happy to sell it to you! Guess which one?

You will have a wonderful time while supporting a great cause. Princeton is all about history and this event helps raise money to protect its historic structures. For more information, there is a wonderful article in the October 28th edition of US 1 or visit the Historical Society's
website.


Just Who Am I?

Upcoming posts will delve into Princeton's cultural, recreational, and historical nature. You can make suggestions or just come along for the ride as I post content near and dear to me. With the exception of twelve years in upstate New York (yes, Ithaca, another ivory tower town! - Isn't education just the best!), a year in Paris, France, and year in Naples, Italy, I have lived in Princeton my entire life! I raised five kids here. Phew, just got the last one through college! I have been selling real estate here for 23 years, and yes, I have probably been in your house at some point if you live in Princeton! Ask me anything. You can also visit my website at princetonaddress. It is already full of good information about Princeton in general and, of course, Princeton real estate.

For now, please enjoy the House Tour and let me know what you think? See you here next week and maybe at the House Tour! I'll be hosting one of the Pyne houses!








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