With a fascinating history and remarkably preserved architectural features, “The Pines” is a town treasure about which even lifelong locals may know very little. While steps from bustling Nassau Street, the location at the end of a quiet lane is not on most tourist’s radar. Built in 1880 in the Shingle Style, rare in Princeton but on prominent display among the mansions of Newport, the sprawling, gabled structure was once the dormitory for Princeton University’s short-lived sister school, The Evelyn College for Women, which attracted the country’s brightest female thinkers.
The school’s former orchard is now a backyard garden inspired by the designs of Gertrude Jekyll with a diverse mix of native and specimen trees. Some may argue the most notable natural feature is found inside, where woodwork and flooring crafted of American Chestnut remains as they were, never painted.
In updated areas, such as the kitchen, hand-milled black ash is a near match. Colors throughout the interior complement the textured cathedral glass decorating all south-facing windows, many of them painstakingly restored.
Large-scale, free-flowing spaces have an airy feel by day and an enveloping warmth come nightfall, especially with fireplaces featuring the work of notable ceramicist William de Morgan and designs by William Morris.
In addition to 4 sizable bedrooms with a nearby laundry room and a third floor study, there is an attached in-law suite with a private entrance, once the office of the headmistress.
Repointed stone walls and loads of daylight make the multi-room walk-out basement a pleasant surprise! A barn-style garage, a reshingled exterior and a new roof are among countless improvements completed by the current proud stewards of this spectacular property.
This 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath house on 1.10 acres is offered at $1,950,000. Please let us know when you want to see it! Sig & Syl
Moving to Princeton 