Nathaniel Drake House

The Nathaniel Drake House, located in Plainfield, New Jersey, was built in 1746 by Isaac Drake for his son Nathaniel. The house is a fine example of colonial architecture, originally constructed as a modest farmhouse and later expanded in the 19th century with Victorian Gothic elements. Its central hall, wide hearth, and post-and-beam construction reflect mid-18th-century building techniques typical of prosperous colonial families in the region.

During the American Revolutionary War, the Drake House served as General George Washington’s temporary headquarters during the Battle of Short Hills in June 1777. The Drake family, active supporters of the Patriot cause, welcomed Washington and his officers, providing a strategic location for planning military movements in northern New Jersey. Today, the Nathaniel Drake House is operated by the Historical Society of Plainfield and functions as a museum, preserving the site’s rich Revolutionary history and architectural legacy.