Department of Environmental Protection

New Jersey State Park Service

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Clarke House Overview

Surrounded by fierce fighting during the Battle of Princeton, this rural farmhouse became a hospital for both sides after the battle. It was here, in one of the bedrooms, that the Americans lost a General.

Built by Thomas Clarke in 1772, the house is located on Princeton Battlefield and was the scene of heavy fighting during the Battle of Princeton. General Hugh Mercer was mortally wounded nearby and was carried to the Clarke House, where he died nine days after the battle. For more information, visit the Princeton Battlefield Society website.

Thomas Clarke, a Quaker farmer, acquired 200 acres in 1772 from his older brother William. He subsequently built a house and lived there with his sisters Sarah as well as Susannah, a black woman enslaved by the Clarke Family. The Clarke farm includes the original two-story half-Georgian frame house and enlarged wing, the carriage barn and smokehouse. The house, consisting of seven rooms, is furnished in the style of the Revolution and early Federal periods. Much of the original flooring, moldings and windows remain.

The Clarke House is furnished in the period of the American Revolution (1775-1783) with elements of early 19th century style and furniture. It retains much of its original flooring, moldings and windows. Domestic chores of cooking, textile production and other daily tasks are represented in the household furnishings and occasionally demonstrated during special events held in the park.

Tours of the house are available to the general public during listed hours. For school groups, special interest groups, military staff rides, and larger parties please call 609-921-0074 to schedule a time or specialty program.

Facilities for People with Disabilities
We encourage people with disabilities who require special considerations to contact the historic site / park at the phone number listed in the general information on the home page of the historic site / park. The staff will assist with arrangements. Text telephone (TT) users, please call the NJ Relay Services at (800) 852-7899.

For the Comfort and Enjoyment of All
This historic site / park is part of the NJ State Park system and your cooperation with the following will help ensure the survival of the museum collections, historic structures & features and surrounding property for the enjoyment and education of future generations!

  • Keep your historic site / park and surrounding property clean and green! Protect this site by taking your trash with you. Whatever you carry into the site, plan on carrying it out too. Bring a bag or two for trash, recycling and cleaning up after your pet. There are no trash receptacles at this site. Thank you!
  • No Smoking on NJ State Park Service Property. Pursuant to N.J.P.L.2005, c.383 (C.26:3D-56)
  • Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at state historic sites [ N.J.A.C. 7:2-2.6]
  • The collection or removal of any object from State Park property is prohibited without written permission from the Superintendent.
  • Use of metal detecting devices on or unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) on or over the property is not permitted without a special use permit (SUP) from the State historic site / park.
  • Commercial photography is not permitted on the property without a special use permit (SUP) from the historic site / park.
  • Interior photography, videotaping or audio taping are not permitted in the historic structure / visitor center / museum, except by prior written permission and for educational purposes only.
  • Non-commercial photography is permitted on the property (outside), but please help preserve the historic site / park and any surrounding property by not attaching anything to, climbing or sitting on historic structures and features or disturbing any plants, wild or cultivated. Photography may not interfere with other visitors to the historic site / park or impede site operations.
  • Food and beverages; pets/animals, except for service animals, are not permitted in the historic structure / visitor center / museum.
  • Please refrain from touching objects/furnishings in and building components of historic structures and museums, except where invited to do so by staff.

Please contact this historic site / park with specific inquiries about any of these restrictions, as there may be some variations at this specific historic site / park.

Related Links

Princeton Battlefield State Park
Washington Crossing State Park

General

Phone Number
609-921-0074

Address
500 Mercer Road
Princeton, NJ 08540

Email Address
PrincetonBattlefield@dep.nj.gov

Historic Site Hours
Tour Hours Temporarily, tours for Wed - Fri are by appointment only, please call 609-921-0074 to schedule a tour.
Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Park Fees

Entrance Fee Admission is free, program fees may apply.

Other Related Fees
Map / Directions

GPS Coordinates
40° 19’ 51.09” N 74° 40' 36.68" W