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1743
Isaac Drake purchases the 111 acres that the house is to be built on from Judge Samuel Neville. Isaac, his sons Nathaniel, Isaac, and Samuel, and their slaves, Tone, Tom, and Caesar begin construction. 1746 Construction on the Drake House is complete. It is a one-and-a-half story, four-room farm house with a loft upstairs. Nathaniel moves in shortly after his 21st birthday. 1759 Isaac Drake dies and in his will frees his slave Cate. The other three slaves, Tom, Tone, and Cesar, are to be freed 10 years after his death. 1769 Tom, Tone, and Cesar are freed. June 25, 1777 General George Washington holds a Council of War at the Drake House. June 25-27, 1777 General George Washington meets with scouts and commands his troops from the Drake House. The Battle of Short Hills is fought. May, 1788 Three of the Nathaniel Drake’s sons, Cornelius, Abraham and Isaac, depart from New Jersey with their families and head to the western territory, eventually settling in Mays Lick, Kentucky. September 22, 1864 Daniel Drake sells the house and 6.41 acres of land to wealthy New York businessman John S. Harberger for $5,000. (Approximately $81,838.85 today) 1865 John S. Harberger begins to modernize the house and adds a new second story with mansard roof and dormers, projecting bays and kitchen stairs and installs the main stairs. |
1875
The tower is added and replaces the rear lean-to. The port-cochere entrance and turret tower are added. April 26, 1917 John S. Harberger’s heirs sell the house to Rosa and Siegmund Frucht. During WWI, it was rumored the house was occupied by a group against the Allied cause, and much seditious literature was found when the house was raided. They were arrested and the house abandoned. June 24, 1920 The house is bought by Bertram F. Tallamy, who conveys it to the West End Civic Association of Plainfield for $15,000. (Approximately $180,722.89 today) 1921 The first meeting of the Historical Society of Plainfield and North Plainfield is held and the Drake House becomes a museum for the citizens of Plainfield. 2002-2006 The Historical Society of Plainfield is able to start and complete a restoration plan for the house costing approximately $1.2 million. 2014-2015 The Historical Society of Plainfield completes upgrades to security, fire alarm system, and exterior lighting. 2015 The Historical Society of Plainfield receives assistance from the City of Plainfield Shade Tree Commission for exterior landscaping. |