New Jersey’s historic mansions are architectural artifacts that trace the state’s evolution from colonial settlement to industrial powerhouse. Built by influential figures of their time, these estates showcase a range of styles, from the symmetry of Georgian design to the extravagance of Victorian Gothic and the solid lines of Tudor Revival. Some estates owe their existence to industry, like Newark’s Ballantine House, which grew out of the beer baron boom. Others, like Skylands in Ringwood, connect architecture with nature, blending Tudor Revival designs with expansive botanical landscapes. Political history weaves through places like Drumthwacket in Princeton and the Proprietary House in Perth Amboy, where governance met elegance. The architectural experimentation in these mansions mirrors the industrial boom that fueled their construction. While factories churned out goods and fortunes, architects turned those profits into enduring works of art. These houses tell stories of their time — of booming economies, shifting aesthetics, and a restless drive to build something permanent.
15. Ellarslie Mansion – Trenton
Ellarslie Mansion in Trenton is a slice of Italianate charm parked in the middle of Cadwalader Park. Built in 1848 for industrialist Henry McCall, this villa flaunts all the architectural hallmarks of the era: a symmetrical façade, bracketed eaves, and a columned portico that begs for a dramatic entrance. Designed as a summer retreat, the mansion seamlessly blends Greek Revival sensibilities with Renaissance-inspired detailing. Inside, high ceilings and ornamental plasterwork remind visitors of a time when leisure was an art form. Now housing the Trenton City Museum, Ellarslie offers a second act as a cultural hub. While industrial fortunes funded its construction, the mansion’s lasting appeal lies in its architectural finesse.
14. Van Reyper-Bond House – Montclair
The Van Reyper-Bond House, built in 1872, is a textbook example of how Victorian architecture embraced eccentricity. Perched on a hill in what was once Speertown (now Upper Montclair), this Italianate gem commands attention with its bold 3½-story tower, a feature so unique it feels like an architectural afterthought. The tower’s mansard roof, iron cresting, and grouped round-headed windows add vertical drama to an otherwise symmetrical clapboard façade. The sweeping veranda anchors the design, providing a horizontal balance to the towering central mass. Inside, the first floor boasts a classic center hall layout, with marble fireplaces, ceiling medallions, and decorative cornices that showcase the craftsmanship of Thomas Van Reyper, a farmer-turned-master-builder. Floor-to-ceiling windows on the east façade bring a French and Italianate elegance to the living spaces, while the winding staircase leads to bedrooms, baths, and a panoramic cupola view stretching toward New York City. Constructed for $6,000 the house sits on land gifted by Van Reyper’s father-in-law, Peter Speer. The home’s design is a vernacular take on Italianate architecture, blending symmetry with playful quirks.
13. Kip’s Castle – Verona
Kip’s Castle, originally dubbed “Kypsburg,” rises from the hills of Verona, New Jersey, as a curious Gothic Revival ode to early 20th-century eclecticism. Built between 1902 and 1905, this 9,000-square-foot structure was the passion project of Frederic Ellsworth Kip, a textile tycoon with a flair for law and literature, and his wife, Charlotte Bishop Williams Kip, who is widely credited as the mastermind behind its design. Charlotte’s vision extended beyond the sandstone walls to the meticulously landscaped grounds, most notably a famed octagonal rose garden. The castle’s design leans heavily on medieval European motifs, with battlements, arched windows, and stonework that evoke a fairytale fortress. After Charlotte’s death in 1926, the property changed hands numerous times, falling into disrepair by the mid-20th century. Salvation came in 1985 when a law firm purchased the estate and began a painstaking restoration. Over the years, Kip’s Castle has shed its derelict status to become a community landmark.
12. Drumthwacket – Princeton
Drumthwacket, New Jersey’s official governor’s residence, is a polished blend of Federal and Greek Revival architecture, built to command attention from its perch on Stockton Street. Constructed in 1835 by Charles Smith Olden — who later became New Jersey’s Civil War governor — the estate reflects the classical ideals of balance and proportion. The mansion’s white columns and portico offer a stately introduction, but it’s the sprawling interior that tells the real story of its layered history. Olden, a merchant with a flair for public service, blended the symmetrical façade with elegant interiors. His tenure here marked Drumthwacket’s rise as a political and cultural hub. Later owners expanded its grounds and added Italianate elements, including a dramatic cupola. By the 20th century, it had transitioned from private estate to institutional landmark. In 1966, the State of New Jersey acquired Drumthwacket, ensuring its preservation as a symbol of state history. Today, it serves not only as the governor’s residence but as a museum and venue for public events.
11. Whitney Mansion – Glassboro
The Whitney Mansion, also called Hollybush Mansion, is a standout example of mid-19th century Italianate architecture in South Jersey. Built in 1849 as the home of the Whitney family, it holds the distinction of being the region’s first Italianate residence. Crafted from New Jersey Ironstone — a sedimentary stone unique to the area — the structure radiates a distinctive charm, blending architectural refinement with local materials. Inside, the house is a masterpiece of detail. Trompe l’oeil ceilings in the parlor and Summit Room create visual illusions that elevate the spaces beyond their physical limits. The front entry, adorned with a painted glass archway, showcases the artisanal skill of the era. The mansion isn’t just about design; its walls have witnessed history. In 1967, it hosted the Glassboro Summit Conference, bringing Lyndon B. Johnson and Alexei Kosygin together during a pivotal moment in Cold War diplomacy. Now part of Rowan University, the mansion has been restored and repurposed as a museum and meeting space, a $3 million nod to its architectural and historical importance.
10. Ballantine House – Newark
The Ballantine House, a salmon-colored Victorian jewel nestled along Washington Street, stands as Newark’s enduring tribute to Gilded Age grandeur. Built in 1884 for John Holme Ballantine, son of the Ballantine beer empire’s founder, and his wife Jeannette Boyd, the house reflects both their wealth and refined tastes. Designed by New York architect George Edward Harney, the three-story masonry structure features pressed Philadelphia brick with sandstone trim and a striking asymmetrical facade dominated by a projecting central gable. The entrance is framed by a rounded stone portico, complete with granite Corinthian columns. The New York-based D.S. Hess Company outfitted the interiors, with details like gilded embossed panels in the dining room evoking the opulence of 16th-century Spanish leatherwork. The Ballantine family resided here until 1920, and the house became part of the Newark Museum in 1937. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1985, the museum has restored the home to its late-19th-century splendor, offering visitors a glimpse into Newark’s aristocratic past.
9. Proprietary House – Perth Amboy
The Proprietary House in Perth Amboy is a rare survivor of colonial-era elegance. Built in 1762, this Georgian-style mansion was intended to serve as the residence for New Jersey’s royal governors, cementing its place in history as a political and architectural landmark. Designed by John Edward Pryor, its brick facade and stately symmetry exude the restraint of Georgian architecture, with tall sash windows and a hipped roof. Governor William Franklin, Benjamin Franklin’s Loyalist son, was its most famous occupant. While Franklin presided over the colony from this residence, the Revolutionary War loomed, and the house witnessed the unraveling of British control. After Franklin’s arrest in 1776, the building evolved, eventually serving as a hotel, private residence, and even a boarding school. Inside, visitors can explore period rooms that reflect 18th-century luxury, including elegant woodwork and a sweeping staircase.
8. Liberty Hall – Union
Liberty Hall in Union, New Jersey, is a sprawling time capsule of American history, tracing its roots to 1772. Built by William Livingston, New Jersey’s first elected governor and a signer of the U.S. Constitution, this Georgian-style mansion stands as a relic of the colonial gentry’s architectural ambitions. Its symmetrical facade, hipped roof, and stately chimneys are quintessential Georgian, displaying the balanced elegance that defined 18th-century design. Over the years, Liberty Hall grew both in stature and footprint. By the 19th century, Italianate porches and Victorian embellishments adorned the mansion, marking its evolution with the changing tastes of its wealthy occupants, the Kean family. Inside, the house is a labyrinth of historical layers, from ornate Federalist interiors to later Victorian-era updates. Original furnishings, delicate wallpapers, and even the kitchen fireplace speak to centuries of adaptation without losing the mansion’s core identity. Its grounds, with manicured gardens and orchards, mirror the house’s grandeur. Liberty Hall bore witness to visits from presidents, Revolutionary War strategizing, and generations of New Jersey’s political elite. Today, as a museum, it offers a lens into the lives of those who shaped the state’s history.
7. Emlen Physick Estate – Cape May
The Emlen Physick Estate in Cape May is a Victorian fever dream come to life. Built in 1879 for the wealthy, eccentric Dr. Emlen Physick Jr., this stick-style mansion stands as one of the finest architectural specimens in New Jersey’s seaside resort town. Designed by Philadelphia architect Frank Furness, the estate is a symphony of sharp angles, decorative trusses, and gables that seem to stretch into eternity. This 18-room house is anything but subtle, from its asymmetrical facade to its oversized brackets and gingerbread details. The roofline is punctuated with a turret and dormers while the house’s interior is equally dramatic, boasting high ceilings, elaborate woodwork, and an array of period furnishings. Dr. Physick, who never actually practiced medicine, was more of a bon vivant than a doctor, and his house reflected his unorthodox tastes. The estate is also significant as a rare survivor of Cape May’s great fires, preserving a piece of the town’s 19th-century charm. Today, it serves as a museum, offering a peek into the eclectic life of its original owner and a window into the architectural artistry of the Victorian era.
6. Ringwood Manor – Ringwood
Built in stages over the 19th century, Ringwood Manor evolved under the stewardship of several prominent families, most notably the Hewitts, a dynasty built on ironworks fortune. The manor’s architecture is a patchwork of styles, from Federal to Gothic Revival, reflecting its piecemeal construction and the eclectic tastes of its owners. Nestled in the Ramapo Mountains, the estate’s location wasn’t just scenic — it was strategic. The surrounding hills were rich in iron ore, and the manor served as the center of a vast industrial empire. The Hewitts, astutely combining business and leisure, maintained the estate as both a symbol of success and a functional hub for overseeing mining operations. The house boasts over 50 rooms filled with period furnishings, art, and decorative objects sourced globally — a material timeline of the family’s prosperity. Outside, the grounds are an idyllic sprawl of formal gardens, reflective ponds, and forested trails. Now a state park, Ringwood Manor continues to captivate with its layered history and commanding presence.
5. Blairsden Mansion – Peapack-Gladstone
Blairsden Mansion in Peapack-Gladstone is what happens when Gilded Age excess meets architectural restraint. Designed by Carrère and Hastings in 1903, this 38-room Beaux-Arts estate sprawls across 500 acres of manicured grounds. Built for financier Clinton Ledyard Blair, it’s a symphony of symmetry, from its columned façade to the cascading terraces that tumble toward Ravine Lake. The interior features plaster friezes and mahogany paneling. The mansion was a showpiece for the era’s one-percenters — even in a state teeming with estates, Blairsden stands out for its disciplined grandeur and timeless allure.
4. Oakes Estate – Bloomfield
Built in 1895 by New York architect Charles Granville Jones, the Oakes Estate is a quintessential example of late 19th-century suburban splendor in Bloomfield, New Jersey. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it stands out for its architecture, landscape design, and association with one of Bloomfield’s most influential families. The two-and-a-half-story, 23-room house is a harmonious blend of Colonial Revival and Queen Anne styles. Its cedar shingles, local brownstone base, and sweeping porch with paired columns create a balanced yet intricate façade. Additions like the 1926 solarium and porte-cochere integrate seamlessly with the original design through continuous rooflines and matching details. Inside, the center hall plan, detailed woodwork, and intact interior offer a glimpse into the genteel lifestyle of the era. The estate includes formal gardens designed by A.F. Brinkerhoff, a Carriage House echoing the main house’s Colonial Revival style, and outbuildings like a chicken coop and playhouse. Now home to the Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center, the property remains a community hub for Bloomfield arts and history.
3. Kruegar Mansion – Newark
Built in 1888, Newark’s Krueger Mansion is a grand Victorian Gothic statement of industrial-era ambition. Commissioned by Gottfried Krueger, a German immigrant and beer baron, the mansion stood as a testament to his brewing empire and upward mobility. The house, located on High Street (now Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard), was an emblem of Newark’s Gilded Age prosperity. Architecturally, the mansion is a showcase of the Queen Anne style, with a heavy dose of Germanic influence. Its asymmetrical red brick façade features elaborate stone trim, decorative gables, and an imposing turret. Stained glass windows, intricate ironwork, and carved wood accents adorn the home, while steep roofs and varied textures lend a dynamic, almost theatrical quality to its appearance. Inside, lavish wood paneling, hand-carved banisters, and ornate ceilings reflected Krueger’s wealth and taste. The mansion’s location on a hill provided sweeping views of the city. .
2. Skylands – Ringwood
Skylands, built in the 1920s in Ringwood, NJ, is a sprawling Tudor Revival mansion set amidst 1,000 acres of meticulously landscaped gardens and woodlands. Once the summer retreat of Clarence McKenzie Lewis, a wealthy New York investment banker and horticulturist, this estate blends old-world charm with early 20th-century American ambition. The mansion itself, designed by architect John Russell Pope — of Jefferson Memorial fame — boasts all the hallmarks of Tudor style: steep gabled roofs, ornate stonework, half-timbered façades, and leaded glass windows. The interiors match the exterior’s elegance, with dark wood paneling, carved fireplaces, and intricate plaster ceilings. Skylands functioned as a working estate with greenhouses, orchards, and formal gardens. The surrounding gardens, designed by the Olmsted Brothers are a horticultural masterpiece. Terraced paths wind through azaleas, rhododendrons, and a serene pool garden, while expansive lawns offer panoramic views of the Ramapo Mountains. Now part of the New Jersey Botanical Garden, Skylands is both a monument to Jazz Age wealth and a sanctuary for nature lovers.
1. Gould Mansion – Lakewood
The Gould Mansion in Lakewood, NJ, is a Gilded Age marvel built by George Jay Gould, the son of notorious railroad baron Jay Gould. While Jay Gould amassed his fortune through ruthless railroad speculation, George put his wealth to work crafting a luxurious retreat that screamed prestige and power. Designed by Bruce Price, a heavyweight in late 19th-century architecture, the mansion is a striking blend of Richardsonian Romanesque and Victorian styles. Its red brick and limestone façade is enhanced with rounded arches and steep gables. Inside, intricate wood paneling, soaring coffered ceilings, and stained-glass windows demonstrate the skill of the artisans who brought Gould’s vision to life. The great hall, complete with an enormous fireplace, was the centerpiece for high-society gatherings. The sprawling grounds included stables, a carriage house, and a boathouse on Lake Carasaljo. The Gould Mansion is now part of the Georgian Court University campus. The university, founded in 1908 by the Sisters of Mercy, purchased the estate after Gould’s passing and repurposed it for educational use. The mansion, along with several other original buildings on the property, forms the core of the university’s historic campus.
