JAMESBURG — The Lakeview Buckelew House is closed for restoration and the famous Lincoln Coach that it houses has found a new place to call home — at least for the time being.

   Early Saturday morning, local officials transported the coach to its new residence, the New Jersey Museum of Agriculture, located at 103 College Farm Road in North Brunswick.

   ”It’s the perfect place for it,” Borough Council member Thomas Bodall said. “It keeps it local and a lot more people will be able to visit it.”

   Hailed as the borough’s unique tourist lure, the buggy transported President Abraham Lincoln from the Trenton train station to the state capitol in 1861.

   The carriage, a luxurious transport for the 19th century, was owned by borough founder James Buckelew.

   The coach will remain at the museum for the duration of the mansion’s restoration, which could take up to 24 months to complete, Mr. Bodall said.

   During this time frame, the mansion will receive foundation repairs, painting, and new air conditioning and indoor sprinkler systems.

   ”This is better than it being in storage,” Mr. Bodall said. “Even though the house is closed, we still want the (Jamesburg Historical) Association’s name out there.”

   The coach will be in good company in North Brunswick, adding to one of the museum’s newer attractions.

   ”Just by coincidence, we happen to have a Lincoln exhibit — it’s perfect,” said Kelleen Madden, a program coordinator for the museum.

   Ms. Madden said the many Lincoln artifacts lining one of the museum’s exhibit rooms include replicas of both the president’s signature hat and a White House tea set, as well as a famous bust of the president and a cast of his hands.

   In addition to the coach, Jamesburg officials also lent the museum two casts of President Lincoln’s face, she said.

   Although President Lincoln is not the most obvious figure for an agricultural museum exhibit, Ms. Madden said that he did make large contributions to the industry during his time in office.

   Not only did President Lincoln approve the Morrill Act of 1862, which paved the way for agricultural colleges by establishing the land grant university system, he also passed the Homestead Act of 1862, which encouraged migration west by offering free land to citizens who were willing to farm.

   ”These were pretty significant to agriculture,” Ms. Madden said.

   She said the artifact exhibit is one that rotates, with the museum changing it about every six months.

   ”It’s the most dynamic part of the museum,” she said.

   With the coach’s addition, Ms. Madden said this exhibit’s life span has been extended to Memorial Day, at which time these artifacts will be moved into the same room as the coach.

   ”It’s one of those things that makes it easy for people to connect with history,” she said. “ It’s got that awe factor. It kind of brings it alive.”

   Even though the coach fell into their laps, Ms. Madden said she is confident in its ability to attract more patrons.

   ”(Jamesburg) actually needed some place to store it so they reached out to us,” she said. “Just to stand next to something that the president of the U.S. rode in is exciting. These are items that draw more people in.”

   Both the coach and the artifacts will be located inside the Bristol-Myers Squibb Exhibit Hall for the duration of the display.

   The museum’s operating hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on select Sundays and Mondays during specific times.

   For more information on the museum or any of its exhibits, call 732-249-2077 or visit www.agriculturemuseum.org.