Tour the Last Royal Governor's Mansion in America in Perth Amboy

Explore New Jersey's Proprietary House, the only remaining royal governor's mansion, rich in history and local ghost stories.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Proprietary House in Perth Amboy, New Jersey was originally built in 1762 as the Royal Governor's Mansion and was home to William Franklin, the Loyalist son of Benjamin Franklin and the last royal governor of East Jersey. The national historic site is now a museum that offers tours, tea events, lectures, and more, and is said to be haunted by Revolutionary War-era spirits.

Why it matters

The Proprietary House is the only remaining royal governor's mansion from the original 13 colonies, providing a unique window into colonial history and the tensions between the British loyalists and American revolutionaries. Its haunted reputation also makes it a popular tourist attraction in the historic city of Perth Amboy.

The details

The Proprietary House served as a British military headquarters during the Revolutionary War and later operated as a hotel before becoming the home of one of the wealthiest merchants in America at the time. The museum currently offers $10 Sunday tours, $25 Sunday teatime events, and various lectures, concerts, and storytelling programs. Visitors have reported seeing soldiers, hearing heavy bootsteps, spotting a woman in a dining room window, and witnessing a bathroom door that locks and unlocks on its own.

  • The Proprietary House was originally built in 1762.
  • Benjamin Franklin visited the Proprietary House several times, with his final visit in which he attempted to persuade his son William Franklin to change sides.
  • William Franklin was arrested as a British loyalist in 1776 and later fled to England.
  • During the Revolutionary War, the Proprietary House served as a British military headquarters.
  • The Proprietary House is scheduled to reopen in April, offering tours, tea events, and other programs.

The players

William Franklin

The Loyalist son of Benjamin Franklin and the 13th Colonial governor, and last royal governor, of East Jersey.

Benjamin Franklin

The father of William Franklin who visited the Proprietary House several times, including a final visit in which he attempted to persuade his son to change sides.

Matthias Bruen

One of the wealthiest merchants in America at the time who later owned the Proprietary House.

John Jacob Astor

A fellow millionaire who was entertained at the Proprietary House by Matthias Bruen.

John Tyler

The 10th U.S. President who was also entertained at the Proprietary House by Matthias Bruen.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Proprietary House is scheduled to reopen in April, offering $10 Sunday tours from 1 to 4 p.m., $25 Sunday teatime events by reservation only in Franklin's former wine vault, as well as lectures, concerts and storytelling programs.

The takeaway

The Proprietary House in Perth Amboy provides a unique opportunity to explore the history of the American Revolution and the tensions between British loyalists and American revolutionaries, as well as experience the haunted lore that surrounds this historic site.