Albert Einstein House
The year 1838 marked the construction of a simple pattern-book cottage on Alexander Street in Princeton. This structure originally stood where Stuart Hall of the Princeton Theological Seminary was built that same year. The building displaced another house located at what is now 108 Mercer Street. It remained a modest dwelling for nearly a century before its most famous chapter began.
Elsa Einstein purchased the home from Mary Clark Marden on the 24th of July 1935. The deed recorded by the Mercer County Clerk's Office appeared on the 1st of August 1935. Albert Einstein lived there with three women until his death in 1955. His sister Maja resided within the walls alongside step-daughter Margot Einstein-Marianoff and secretary Helen Dukas. Elsa died inside this house in 1936 while living there as his second wife.
Albert Einstein reportedly requested that this house not be made a museum. The family did not want it to be recognized as such despite their wishes. Nonetheless, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Further designation came as a U.S. National Historic Landmark that same year. No historical marker explains the house's significance today.
Margot Einstein owned the property until her death in 1986 after Albert passed away. Eric Maskin and his family held ownership until 2012. He served as the Albert O. Hirschman Professor at the Institute for Advanced Study until 2011. Frank Wilczek occupied the home between 1989 and 2001 as a professor in IAS. Wilczek reportedly requested the house from the IAS as his condition to move to Princeton. He held evening seminars in the house for graduate students during his tenure.
The Institute for Advanced Study purchased the property on the 24th of July 2012 for $1,417,500. It sits on a half-acre parcel extending 446 feet from the street. The building measures 3,674 square feet with only one bedroom and two baths. Private Residence signs now stand strategically around the house. The Institute owns it but keeps it closed to public entry.
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Common questions
When was the Albert Einstein House built and where is it located?
The year 1838 marked the construction of a simple pattern-book cottage on Alexander Street in Princeton. This structure originally stood where Stuart Hall of the Princeton Theological Seminary was built that same year.
Who purchased the Albert Einstein House from Mary Clark Marden and when did the transaction occur?
Elsa Einstein purchased the home from Mary Clark Marden on the 24th of July 1935. The deed recorded by the Mercer County Clerk's Office appeared on the 1st of August 1935.
Why does the Institute for Advanced Study keep the Albert Einstein House closed to public entry?
Albert Einstein reportedly requested that this house not be made a museum. Private Residence signs now stand strategically around the house while the Institute owns it but keeps it closed to public entry.
How many people lived inside the Albert Einstein House during Albert Einstein's lifetime?
Albert Einstein lived there with three women until his death in 1955. His sister Maja resided within the walls alongside step-daughter Margot Einstein-Marianoff and secretary Helen Dukas.
What is the square footage and bedroom count of the current Albert Einstein House building?
The building measures 3,674 square feet with only one bedroom and two baths. It sits on a half-acre parcel extending 446 feet from the street.