James W. Marshall House facts for kids
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James W. Marshall House
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Exterior of the James W. Marshall House in 2023
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 Location in Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 60 Bridge Street, Lambertville, New Jersey |
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| Built | 1816 |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000386 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 18, 1970 |
The James W. Marshall House is a historic home in Lambertville, New Jersey. It was the childhood home of James W. Marshall. He is famous for discovering gold in California in 1848. This discovery started the exciting California Gold Rush. The house is important for its history and architecture. It became a protected historic site on December 18, 1970. Today, it is a museum run by the Lambertville Historical Society. You can visit it to learn about its past.
History
Early Years
In 1816, James Marshall's father, Philip Marshall, moved his family. They came from Hopewell, New Jersey to nearby Lambertville. Philip bought about five acres of land. He paid $300 for it. On this land, he built a brick house. It was designed in the Federal style.
The Marshall family lived in this house until 1834. Philip Marshall passed away that year. His wife could no longer afford to live in the home.
A New Purpose
In 1882, the property was sold to St. John's Roman Catholic Church. The church used the house as a convent. This meant the Sisters of Mercy lived there. They also taught in a school that was added to the house.
In 1964, the church decided to build a new convent and school. They planned to tear down the old house.
Saving the House
A resident of Lambertville, Alice Narducci, wanted to save the house. She made an agreement with St. John's Church. The building was given to the New Jersey Department of Conservation and Economic Development.
The state then leased the property to the Lambertville Historical Society. They began a big restoration project. The kitchen and the schoolhouse addition were removed. The entire back wall of the house was rebuilt. They used materials that looked like the original ones. The inside of the house was also restored. Today, the house looks like it did when the Marshall family lived there.
See also
- List of historical societies
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Hunterdon County, New Jersey
