Princeton Mansion Built by Woodrow Wilson Lists for $6.5 Million After Major Restoration
A Tudor Revival Princeton mansion used by Woodrow Wilson as a teaching and family home is for sale at $6.5 million after a thorough repair. The 5,687-square-foot property combines turn-of-the-century charm with modern improvements, and its sale illustrates Princeton’s uncommon combination of presidential history and private residential real estate. 82 Library Place is on three quarters of an acre in West Princeton, where values vary by lot size and improvements.
The small but deliberate 1896 house reflects its owner. Wilson ordered stained glass doors from a mail-order catalog to cut building costs, according to property records and journals. The house has changed hands many times over the past century, including housing Princeton University faculty during economic downturns. After a five-year, multi-million dollar refurbishment that retained period features and added modern conveniences, the home was returned to an award-winning state.
The home has many historic features and clever modernizations. Off the foyer where students once congregated for classes is an oak-paneled library. A porte cochère-turned-office and a solarium with handcrafted wood windows give architectural diversity. Antique copper sinks and dumbwaiters are combined with modern high-end appliances in the kitchen. The dining room’s linen mural depicts Princeton University’s campus and adjacent environs. Seven bedrooms and numerous baths are spread across three storeys, with a main suite and extra living spaces on the second and third floors. Buyers seeking history and family room will like the finished basement’s recreation, storage, laundry, and wine storage.
The description describes the home as a residence for someone who appreciates tradition and workmanship over open-plan living. The listing agent describes the renovation as sensitive to the house’s original date, and its architectural style and remaining historic aspects set it apart from contemporary, more generic luxury buildings. Those traits and the property’s direct ties to an important American academic and political person make it appealing to buyers seeking a unique home rather than a new showcase.
Local market context emphasizes property premium. Princeton median home prices are substantially below this listing’s asking price, indicating that unique historic properties regularly exceed local medians. The home’s proximity to campus and large, landscaped lot that backs onto the university president’s home appeal to purchasers who value location and pedigree.
This Princeton property is significant for its size, condition, and membership in a select group of presidential-built private dwellings. A documented past, award-winning renovation, and carefully conserved interior details make this property a unique find in the local real estate market. The home offers a unique opportunity for those interested in history, architecture, and Princeton’s institutional past. However, its size and upkeep needs make it appealing to someone ready to manage a legacy and ongoing property.
The site will demonstrate that historic residences may blend past and present when restored to preserve character and provide modern amenities. Whether buyers are captivated by the Woodrow Wilson connection, Tudor Revival construction, or beautifully remodeled interiors, 82 Library Place is one of Princeton’s most unusual properties for sale.
