Princeton in Mercer County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Commodore's Greenhouse

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 15, 2022

1. The Commodore's Greenhouse Marker

Inscription.
Looking closely at this 1874 Bird's Eye View of Princeton, N.J., one can make out a glass greenhouse sitting just west of Morven. Built by Commodore Robert F. Stockton (1795-1866) in the early 1850s, an inventory upon his death indicated that the greenhouse contained 15 lemon trees, 100 Japonicas, 10 cacti, 4 azaleas, 3 Daphnes and "Misc. plants."

Little else was known about the greenhouse until a 2013 archaeological dig conducted by Hunter Research, Inc. uncovered the brick and stone foundation of the structure—sitting just where the bird's eye view indicated. Excavations uncovered thousands of cultural artifacts, including the remains of the cast iron furnace which heated the greenhouse.

Erected 2020 by New Jersey Historic Trust.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.

Location. 40° 20.861′ N, 74° 40.049′ W. Marker is in Princeton, New Jersey, in Mercer County. It is on Stockton Street (U.S. 206) just west of Monument Drive, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 55 Stockton St, Princeton NJ 08540, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s Central Jersey.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds 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 marker: The West Wing (within shouting distance of this marker); Demonstration Garden

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(within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Lawn / Morven Museum & Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ice House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Gardens (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Colonial Revival Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); The Carriage House (within shouting distance of this marker); Horse Chestnut Walk (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Princeton.

Other markers no longer nearby. The West Wing (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Colonial Revival Garden (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 Wash House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Twentieth-Century Changes

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 15, 2022

2. The Commodore's Greenhouse Marker

(was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 199 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 17, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.