James Wilson Marshall House

The Marshall House is the boyhood home of James Wilson Marshall, who discovered gold in California in 1848, starting the Great California Gold Rush. Today, this home serves as the museum and headquarters for the Lambertville Historical Society.

The Federal-style brick structure was built in 1816 by James’ father, Philip Marshall, who made cabinets, coaches and wagons. It was one of the first private homes in the City, built when Bridge Street was still a dusty wagon trail. It originally sat on about five acres of land and included a brick kitchen, a two-story back addition with first and second floor porches, a wheelwright and wagon shop, barn and smokehouse.

In 1882 the property was sold to St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church and was used as a convent. Along with two attached buildings to the east, it was the sisters’ home for 84 years.

In 1964, the Marshall House was threatened with demolition. A group of local residents, led by Alice Narducci, persuaded the Church to deed the house to the NJ Department of Conservation and Economic Development.

In 1967, The State of New Jersey leased the building to the newly-born Lambertville Historical Society, which began the building’s ongoing restoration. Three nineteenth century homes immediately to the east are now gone. The Museum is listed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places.