Tilghman makes Lowrie House her personal home

The house at 83 Stockton St. is set back about 150 feet from the busy Rt. 206 thoroughfare. That's the way its primary resident, University President Shirley Tilghman, likes it.

Since Tilghman assumed the University's highest post nearly two years ago and moved into the school's most prestigious off-campus address, she has worked hard to make it less of "another institutional building" and more of a home for her and her two children.

The yellow sandstone house, the official residence of the president since 1968, was given to the University by Barbara Armour Lowrie in 1960 in memory of her husband, Walter Lowrie 1890. His remains are rumored to be placed in a tomblike panel above the fireplace in the library of the house, Tilghman said.

Designed by the same architect who built Prospect House and Nassau Hall, the historic house had shown some wear and tear by the time Tilghman moved in. Last summer Tilghman worked with local interior decorators and contractors to refurbish the house and restore the original marble mosaic flanking the foyer and the wood paneling that lines the library. "We stripped the floors and stripped all the walls," she said.

Tilghman wouldn't reveal how much the restoration and redecoration cost, but she put the decorators on a "strict budget . . . as we do all things at this University," she said.

Decoration choices

Tilghman chose the lavender, periwinkle and cream color scheme for the living, dining and music rooms. Her goal was to update the look of the house — make it less like "a museum" — and make it more welcoming to the many guests she entertains at least two or three times every week.

"The house had a much more historical look before," she said, moving into the dining room and pointing out Japanese-inspired square light fixtures hanging over a long mahogany wood table, which seats 26. "Very cool," she said of the decor.

The house doubles as a private home and a public meeting forum. Tilghman has hosted family Christmases and Thanksgiving dinners. The first year in the house, she and her children "negotiated" throwing a New Year's Eve party for their friends.

"They distributed invitations and hired a bouncer," she said. "It took days, but they cleaned up. They were very responsible," she said. Tilghman was stationed upstairs the entire time.

The house is used mostly for business, however. Tilghman interviewed candidates for dean of admissions in her living room. She hosts going-away parties and retirement parties for faculty members.

As a helping hand, the house comes with a chef, Sally Lamonica. Tilghman's favorite dish is sesame chicken and noodles, which Lamonica often leaves in the refrigerator.

As one of the perks of the job, Tilghman has access to the University Art Museum's collection. She is able to hang any painting — within reason — in her living room. Tilghman, a modern art lover, takes advantage of the opportunity.

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Though she didn't have her "pick of the litter of Monets and Picassos," she selected nearly half a dozen paintings, all of which are geometrical and brightly colored. "I love modern art," she said, "and the scientist in me likes shapes."

A Gallatin hangs in the living room. And of the Derazo in the music room, she said, "I love this one, and not just because it's orange!"

There is little Princeton memorabilia on display in the house. Aside from a large display case filled with dozens of silver serving trays, platters and plates collected by the University over the years, Tilghman has only a framed poster from Opening Exercises from September 2001 in her kitchen as a reminder.

Her favorite room in the house is the library — a rectangular room lined on all sides with books from her own personal collection, the University and past presidents. Tilghman culled many of President Bowen's old economics textbooks to make room for her own collection — which includes an antique leather-bound set of the works of Bronte.

"It's a great room for reading the Sunday New York Times or curling up by the fire," she said, taking a seat in a brown plaid armchair next to the fireplace. (She doesn't have a favorite couch; she is an "equal opportunity" sitter.)

Green thumb

The library doors open onto a patio — ideal for barbequing — and a garden. "The flower beds are never as spectacular as Prospect's," she said. Nevertheless, Tilghman, a "fanatical gardener," has always meant to take time for planting. A bag of soil sat slumping and neglected, to the side of the deck. "Maybe I'll try again next summer," she said.

Balancing the private and public uses of the house has taken some adjusting for Tilghman's family. Her 20-year-old son lives on the third floor and her daughter, Rebecca '03, lives in Spelman.

"The lack of privacy was very difficult in the beginning," she said.

Since Tilghman infused her own style into the historic residence, Tilghman and her children have only recently become comfortable in their home. Tilghman pointed out that not all University presidents have moved into Lowrie House.

President Shapiro, during the last three years of his term, decided to move back to his original house and use Lowrie House only for entertaining. Tilghman is now renting her former residence to Wilson School dean Anne-Marie Slaughter '80.

Though Tilghman was overwhelmed at first with the size and grandeur of the mansion, she feels it is a necessary part of her job as president, she said. "Living here has been a huge boon for me. It's a big house, but it's a home," she said. "Since decorating it, my attitude towards the house has changed," she said. "It feels more like me."