WALKING TOUR OF HISTORIC PRINCETON With it’s unique history and renowned importance as an educational center and corporate hub, Princeton is a fascinating place to explore. Notable people have called Princeton their home, and many of the buildings where they lived and worked survive today. Exceptional gardens and sculpture are an integral part of Princeton’s landscape, and its museums hold a treasure of accumulated information and artifacts. Princeton is an exciting place to begin a journey of discovery of the Greater Princeton Region. 1. Einstein House prominent ministers of the Presbyterian Church Albert Einstein lived on Mercer Street from 1935 received their education and theological training until he passed away in 1955. The house was under the early presidents of the College. built about 1840 and is now a private residence. However, when the number of students at the College began to increase, it became evident that a 2. Princeton Theological Seminary separate seminary would be more suitable for The seminary, founded in 1811, is the oldest, training ministers. A reciprocal arrangement most influential, and most popular Presbyterian between the University and the Seminary allows theological school in the country. students of either institution the privileges of the The College desired to “educate young men, not other. Tours available by appointment. Mercer only in the arts and sciences, but to fit for the Street. 609-497-7750. ministry those who might seek it.” Many of the continued on the next 2 pages The Official Princeton Area Visitors Guide I Fall . Winter . 2008 19 POINTWS OFAINTLERKESTI&NTOGURS TOUR OF HI 3. Morven structure dating from 1836. 61 Nassau Street. Morven was part of a 5,000-acre tract purchased 609-924-0103. by Richard Stockton from William Penn in 1701. Second Presbyterian Church - In 1847, twelve In 1754, Richard’s grandson, Richard, a signer of members of the congregation organized the the Declaration of Independence, and his wife, Second Presbyterian Church, located at the Annis Budinot, acquired a portion of this land, corner of Nassau and Chambers Streets. where they built their home. Annis, a published Woodrow Wilson, during his tenure as Professor poet, renamed the house Morven after the myth - and President of Princeton University, served ical home of Fingal in “The Poems of Ossian.” as an elder. Morven was considered to be the grandest of 7. MacLean House Princeton’s country estates. Over the years, it Built in 1756, this was the official residence of was inhabited by several famous owners, who college presidents until Prospect was acquired in enlarged and renovated the house, until New 1878. It was named in honor of John MacLean, Jersey Governor, Walter Edge purchased the founder of the Alumni Association, and member property in 1945. In 1954, he deeded the property of the faculty for fifty years, rising from tutor to to the State, with the provision that it be used as a president. Nassau Street, Princeton University governor’s mansion or as a museum. Four Campus. 609-258-1900. Governors lived there with their families until the late 1980s. 55 Stockton Street. 609-924-8144. 8. Nassau Hall When completed, Nassau Hall became the 4. Princeton Battle Monument at the largest stone building in America and was named entrance to Princeton Borough Hall in memory of King William III of England, House General George Washington on horseback of Nassau and Prince of Orange. Its wall, twenty- inspires his men to final victory. At his left is mor - six inches thick, withstood two years of occupa - tally wounded General Mercer. The monument tion during the Revolution by British and was designed by Thomas Hastings, sculpted by American troops, and two devastating fires Frederick MacMonnies, and unveiled in 1922 by during the 1800’s. President Warren Harding. The inscription on the After the Battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777, reverse side was written by Andrew Fleming the British surrendered to General Washington West, Dean of the Graduate School of Princeton here, and one of the shots from Alexander University. Monument Drive. Hamilton’s battery mutilated the portrait of 5. Palmer Square George II, which hung on the wall. The royal Within a ten acre square in the Heart of Princeton, frame was saved and subsequently used to hold Edgar Palmer presided over the ground-break - Charles Wilson Peale’s famous portrait of George ing of Palmer Square in 1936. Several years Washington. before, he conceived his plan to develop a The first Legislature of New Jersey met in Colonial-type village across Nassau Street from Nassau Hall in 1776, where it approved the State his beloved Princeton University; and, primarily Constitution and adopted a State Seal. with his own funds, acquired the land and Nassau Hall was the National Capitol from financed the extensive project. Borough Council June to November in 1783, when the Continental expressed its thanks by naming the development Congress received General Washington to Palmer Square. 609-921-2333. convey the thanks of the nation for his service. During this session, Congress received news of 6. Nassau Presbyterian Church the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which officially Between 1755 and 1762, Presbyterians rented ended the war. pews in the College Chapel in Nassau Hall and heard sermons from various College presidents, 9. University Chapel who were also pastors – Aaron Burr, Jonathan Its Collegiate Gothic architecture make the Edwards, Samuel Davies, and Samuel Finley. In Chapel one of the most beautiful buildings on 1762, the College loaned land and money to the campus. It was built between 1925 and 1928 with congregation to build a church. donations from alumni and friends to replace the During the Revolutionary War, the building Marquand Chapel, which had been destroyed by was occupied by British and Colonial soldiers and fire. It seats nearly two thousand people, making used as a hospital, and in 1783 the College it the third largest university chapel in the world. Commencement was held in church, attended by It contains a collection of stained glass by General Washington and members of the American artists and is used for services of all Continental Congress. Twice the building was faiths. 609-258-3048 destroyed by fire and rebuilt, the current 20 www.visitprinceton.org Chamber members are indicated in bold type HISTORIC PRPOINNTS OCF INETETREOST &N TOURS 10. University Art Museum Elias Budinot was a College trustee for 49 years The Museum of Historic Art was erected in 1889, and President of the Continental Congress in and later established by Allan Marquand as a 1782. He proposed the Congressional resolution teaching museum to complement the depart - which established Thanksgiving as a national ment’s curriculum. Its collection ranges from holiday in 1789. His sister was married to Richard ancient to contemporary and includes pre- Stockton and lived at Morven. 158 Nassau Street. Columbian artifacts, Italian seventeenth-century 609-921-6748. paintings and drawings, a window from Chartres 14. Princeton Cemetery Cathedral, sculptures from the Sung Dynasty, In this small space of only a few acres, more illus - and twentieth-century paintings and photo - trious Americans are buried than in any other graphs. McCormick Hall. 609-258-3788. similar cemetery in the country. In 1756, the 11. Prospect House and Garden ground was donated to the trustees of the Prospect Plantation was originally part of the College, and a few years later the trustees Stockton land purchased from William Penn. deeded a large portion of the property to the After the Revolutionary War, it was purchased Presbyterian Church. by Colonel George Morgan, a famous Indian Most of the College presidents are buried in agent, explorer, and scientific farmer. George President’s Row, including Reverend Aaron Burr, Washington and Benjamin Franklin were the second president, and his son, Colonel Aaron frequent visitors. Burr, who is buried at his father’s feet next to his In 1779 a delegation of ten Indian chieftains grandfather, Jonathan Edwards. Also resting visited Prospect and set up their wigwams on the here are U.S. President Grover Cleveland, Dr. lawn. They brought with them three Indian boys John Witherspoon, a signer of the Declaration of to be educated at the College. In 1783 Continental Independence, and Paul Tulane, along with many Congress held its first sessions at Prospect other notable dignitaries. 609-924-1369. before moving to Nassau Hall. In 1849 the current 15. McCarter Theatre owner, Thomas Potter, tore down the old Morgan The Theater was built in 1929 with funds donated house and built the present Prospect Mansion. It by Thomas N. McCarter (class of 1888) and the was given to the College in 1878 for use as a resi - Princeton Triangle Club. In addition to Triangle dence for the presidents. In 1968 the Lowrie Club productions, leading New York plays and old House became the official presidential home, favorites; such as, “The Christmas Carol,” are and Prospect is now the faculty club. The Garden, popular. A few years ago, McCarter received the originally laid out by Colonel Morgan, was later coveted “Tony Award.” 91 University Place. re-designed by Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, when her Box Office 609-258-2787, Administration husband was president of Princeton University. 609-258-6500. 12. Woodrow Wilson School of Public 16. Princeton Railroad Station and International Affairs Although the main railroad lines originally ran The school was founded in 1930 by the depart - through Princeton, when the route was straight - ments of history, politics, and economics. It was ened, the main stop became Princeton Junction. officially named in 1948, when a graduate The shuttle, known as the “Dinky,” came into program was established to prepare students for being in 1867, to carry passengers along the two careers in public service.