Historical Society of Princeton

Historical Society of Princeton http://www.princetonhistory.org
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Inspired by the worldly and entrepreneurial spirit of the citizens of Princeton, and graced by the important legacy of the town, the Historical Society of Princeton develops signature programs of learning and discovery to connect the lessons of the past to the issues which inform our future. Using our historic sites and collections, we teach local and international visitors that history is relevan

t in daily life, and can be used to explore a shared connection among people; to celebrate a love of place; and to promote conversations on creating a better future.

06/17/2026

In 1976, the Bicentennial was greeted with the ringing of the U.S.S. Princeton bell, located next to the Princeton Battle Monument. Princeton High School students, including Heidi Nini, Walter Cruikshank and Pam Steeg, struck the bell 200 times before the annual Borough Council swearing in and reorganization meeting.

06/16/2026

Did you know about Princeton's Washington Oak? Thanks to Municipal Arborist, Taylor Sapudar, and Princeton, NJ Government for showing us where to find it!

06/16/2026

We are overjoyed with the success of the second annual, sold-out Princeton Garden Tour! 🌸 It was a privilege to share the vibrant blooms, peaceful pathways, and gardening stories with such an enthusiastic, supportive community. A huge thank you to our wonderful homeowners, volunteers, and everyone who worked hard behind the scenes to make this event blossom, especially the amazing staff at Morven Museum & Garden.🌿

fever is here! ⚽ As the U.S. readies for its match against Paraguay, let’s honor Princeton native Michael Bradley, a m...
06/12/2026

fever is here! ⚽ As the U.S. readies for its match against Paraguay, let’s honor Princeton native Michael Bradley, a midfielder in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. Bradley is the third most capped USMNT player with 151 appearances. He served as captain of Toronto FC for 10 seasons and is currently the coach of the New York Red Bulls. Last year, he was recognized in a pregame celebration before USA’s match against Korea Republic in Harrison, NJ.

In May 2010, the USMNT trained for a week at Princeton University’s Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium in preparation for its match in South Africa (b&w image). Bradley (left) is pictured with Landon Donovan.

⚽ Bonus Princeton connection: the 2010 team's head coach (and Michael’s father) Bob Bradley graduated from Princeton in 1980 and headed the Tigers squad from 1984 to 1995.

THIS FRIDAY at UPDIKE FARMSTEAD! Examine well-known paintings depicting key people and local events from the American Re...
06/09/2026

THIS FRIDAY at UPDIKE FARMSTEAD! Examine well-known paintings depicting key people and local events from the American Revolution, then delve deeper into the stories behind them. Who painted them, and why? What did they intend to teach? $10, includes museum admission before the talk: https://bit.ly/4dHo6dO

Pictured: John Trumbull, The Death of General Mercer at the Battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777, Yale University Art Gallery.

Now open in Dohm Alley! “Princeton's Taverns: On the Road to Revolution” examines how local taverns shaped everyday life...
06/04/2026

Now open in Dohm Alley! “Princeton's Taverns: On the Road to Revolution” examines how local taverns shaped everyday life in the 18th century. More than places of rest and refreshment, these establishments were the commercial, social, and civic centers of the town.

Special thanks to Charles Schwab, the Nassau Inn, and Experience Princeton for their generous support of this exhibition celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. 🇺🇸

in 1886, President Grover Cleveland married Francis Folsom in the Blue Room of the White House. The ceremony was small...
06/03/2026

in 1886, President Grover Cleveland married Francis Folsom in the Blue Room of the White House. The ceremony was small and private, attended by 31 close family and friends, as well as members of the U.S. Cabinet. The reception took place in the State Dining Room, with music by the Marine Band, led by John Philip Sousa.

While John Tyler remarried while in office in 1844, Cleveland is the only president to marry at the White House. After Grover’s death, Frances became the first presidential widow to remarry when she exchanged vows with Thomas Preston, Jr., an archaeology professor at Princeton University.

"Turning Point," by Ann Gross, mixes cartographic, symbolic and historical elements to illustrate the significance of th...
05/26/2026

"Turning Point," by Ann Gross, mixes cartographic, symbolic and historical elements to illustrate the significance of the three battles that took place between December 25, 1776 and January 3, 1777. Part of the Ten Crucial Days Portfolio created for the bicentennial by the Princeton Printmakers collective, this screenprint is currently on view at the New Jersey State Museum.

: As Princeton University alums gather for tomorrow's P-rade, let’s look back at the festivities during the 1976 Bicent...
05/22/2026

: As Princeton University alums gather for tomorrow's P-rade, let’s look back at the festivities during the 1976 Bicentennial, when orange and black mixed with red, white, and blue. Pictured is the Class of 1946, which graduated the year the University celebrated its 200th anniversary, led by a stilt-walking Uncle Sam and a colonial themed marching band. To accommodate the record crowd of 10,000, the U.S. Army set up 700 cots in Jadwin Gymnasium and Caldwell Field House to house younger alumni.

in 1915, Henry Ostermann, vice president of the Lincoln Highway Association, and a film crew drove through Princeton o...
05/21/2026

in 1915, Henry Ostermann, vice president of the Lincoln Highway Association, and a film crew drove through Princeton on a cross-country journey from New York to San Francisco. The goal was to generate publicity for the highway, which officially opened two years earlier, created out of existing roads and marked with special red, white, and blue signs bearing a large “L.”

The trip over rough, muddy, and irregular roads lasted 102 days and generated around 10,000 feet of film. Only 30 seconds of footage has survived, visible in a 1950s Disney production called “Magic Highway, USA.” Pictured is the official Lincoln Highway Car in the Pacific Ocean.

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354 Quaker Road
Princeton, NJ
08540

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(609) 921-6748

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