Wright-Chamberlin House

Wright-Chamberlin house in December 2021.

Historical Overview

Standing at 6 North Mill Road, at the intersection of Hendrickson Drive and North Mill Road is a 4-story, T-shaped, 2-story house. This building is a member of West Windsor's "100 Club" and a contributing structure to the historic hamlet of Vanhiseville.

Township tax records claim this building was constructed in the year 1900.[1] If true, then it was probably built by James and Rachel Allen, who likely purchased the property 2 years prior from David and Susan Allen.[2]

In 1909, the house was purchased by Orville E. Wright (no, not one of the Wright Brothers) and Laura Wright.[3] Orville retired from the J. A. Roebling Co. in 1946 after 42 years with the firm.[4] In 1920, his and Laura's daughter, Norma, married a Lewis B. Chamberlin, an automobile salesman.[5] Seven years later, Lewis and Norma moved to 6 North Mill Road, living with Orville and Laura for many more decades.[6],[7] In 1941, Lewis and Norma formally purchased the house.[8] 

Both Lewis and Norma were both extremely active in local government. At the time of this writing (2023), Lewis holds the record for West Windsor Township's longest-serving Clerk: from 1937-74, while Norma served as Deputy Clerk, from 1957-74.[9] In a time before the current municipal center was opened in 1977, Lewis had his office in the front room of their house here.[10]

Lewis B. Chamberlin in 1974.

In 1979, residents voted to name a new park in West Windsor after Lewis.[11] The Lewis B. Chamberlin Park, off of Slayback Drive and Park Hill Terrace, is maintained as a well-used recreational area.

The house finally left Chamberlin hands in 1990,[12] but it remains a fixture of old Vanhiseville.

Go To Vanhiseville

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Bibliography

1. “West Windsor Tax Assessor Address List, 2019.” West Windsor, 2019. List of all residences in West Windsor with dates of construction, according to tax assessor. Sent to the Historical Society by Lorraine Jones and Dawn Moretti.
2. Allen, David G., Allen, James P., Allen, Rachel, Allen, Susan. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1898. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 313 Page 151.
3. Allen, James P., Allen, Rachel, Wright, Laura, Wright, Orville E. “Deed.” West Windsor, 1909. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 315 Page 51.
4. “Orville E. Wright.” Trenton Evening Times, October 22, 1970.
5. “Miss Wright to Wed Lewis B. Chamberlin.” Trenton Evening Times, August 27, 1920.
6. “Park Named.” Town Topics, August 15, 1979.
7. “Orville E. Wright.” Trenton Evening Times, October 22, 1970.
8. Chamberlin, Lewis B., Chamberlin, Norma, Wright, Laura, Wright, Orville E. “Deed.” West Windsor, 1941. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 826 Page 370.
9. ​“West Windsor Township Meeting Minutes, 1797-2012.,” n.d. Original Township Committee meeting minute database located in the Municipal Center.
10. “Veteran Clerk to Retire.” Unknown Newspaper, April 17, 1974. Newspaper clipping found in Historical Society of West Windsor's archives at the West Windsor History Museum.
11. “Park Named.” Town Topics, August 15, 1979.
12. Chamberlin, Lewis B., Chamberlin, Norma, Stone, Irwin J. “Deed.” West Windsor, 1990. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 2515 Page 431.