Albert Einstein House facts for kids
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Albert Einstein House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Mercer County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 112 Mercer Street, Princeton, New Jersey |
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| Built | Before 1876 |
| Part of | Princeton Historic District (ID75001143) |
| NRHP reference No. | 76002297 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 7, 1976 |
| Designated NHL | January 7, 1976 |
The Albert Einstein House is a famous home in Princeton, New Jersey. It was where the brilliant scientist Albert Einstein lived from 1935 until he passed away in 1955. His wife, Elsa Einstein, also lived here until she died in 1936.
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History of the House
This house was built before 1876. It originally stood on Alexander Street in Princeton. The house was moved to its current spot on Mercer Street later on. It is a simple cottage, not fancy or unusual in its design.
Einstein's Purchase
Elsa Einstein bought the house on July 24, 1935. The exact price was not made public. The sale was officially recorded on August 1, 1935.
Who Lived There?
Albert Einstein shared this home with several important women in his life. These included his sister, Maja Einstein. His step-daughter, Margot Einstein-Marianoff, also lived there. His trusted secretary, Helen Dukas, completed the household.
A Home, Not a Museum
Albert Einstein did not want his house to become a museum. His family also wished for it to remain a private home. Even so, the house was recognized for its importance. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. It was also named a U.S. National Historic Landmark in the same year.
Later Owners of the House
After Albert Einstein's death, his step-daughter Margot Einstein owned the house. She lived there until she passed away in 1986.
The house was later owned by Eric Maskin and his family until 2012. Eric Maskin is a famous economist. He won the Nobel Prize in 2007. He was a professor at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.
Before Maskin, another Nobel Prize winner lived in the house. This was physicist Frank Wilczek. He won the Nobel Prize in 2004. He lived there from 1989 to 2001. Wilczek reportedly asked to live in the house when he moved to Princeton. He even held evening classes for students there.
Today, the house is still a private residence. It is owned by the Institute for Advanced Study. However, it is not open to the public. There are signs around the house that say "Private Residence." This helps people know it is not a public museum.
Images for kids
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Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, and Indira Gandhi (who would become Prime Minister later) meeting Einstein at his home in Princeton, 1949.
