Princeton in Mercer County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Colonial Revival Garden
Photographed by Gary Nigh, August 2008
1. The Colonial Revival Garden Marker
Helen Hamilton Shields married Richard the Signer’s great-great-grandson Bayard Stockton in 1894. Intensely proud of the Stockton family’s history, she wished to “restore” the house and gardens to what she perceived as their former glory. Although the property was much reduced in size, she determined to reproduce what she thought Annis and Richard’s garden had been.
Helen claimed to have uncovered a number of plants from that garden, although none could have survived two centuries, In a manner typical of the Colonial Revival, she included not only plants thought to have grown at Morven, but also specimens from various historic sites.
She spoke and wrote extensively to promote Morven’s significance; her garden at Morven was included in the Garden Club of America’s 1930s landmark publication, Gardens of Colony and State. It is her garden that has been restored behind the house.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 40° 20.86′ N, 74° 40.011′ W. Marker was in Princeton, New Jersey, in Mercer County. It could be reached from
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in New Jersey’s Central Jersey. It was also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: The Great Lawn / Morven Museum & Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The West Wing (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Colonial Revival Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ice House (within shouting distance of this marker); Horse Chestnut Walk (within shouting distance of this marker); The Gardens (within shouting distance of this marker); The Commodore's Greenhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Demonstration Garden (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Princeton.
Other markers no longer nearby. The Wash House (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The West Wing (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The King’s Highway (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The House Front
Photographed by Gary Nigh, August 2008
2. Colonial Revival gardens, c. 1910,
Historical Society of Princeton
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Also see . . . Morven Museum & Garden. (Submitted on August 20, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
Photographed by Gary Nigh, August 10, 2008
3. The Colonial Revival Garden Marker
Photographed by Gary Nigh, August 10, 2008
4. Colonial Revival Garden
Photographed by Gary Nigh, August 10, 2008
5. Colonial Revival Garden
Photographed by Gary Nigh, August 10, 2008
6. Colonial Revival Garden Sundial
Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2008, by Gary Nigh of Trenton, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,281 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 19, 2008, by Gary Nigh of Trenton, New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
