community connections A Princeton University Community and Regional Affairs publication Fall 2019 Fire Department and University mark 10 years of volunteer firefighter program When the Princeton Fire Department sounded the shifts, augmenting the municipal department’s students have long volunteered on their own with alarm for more volunteers, Princeton University ranks during critical daytime hours. The University the fire department (as well as the Princeton First responded to the call. In fact, University volunteers respond to emergencies both on and Aid and Rescue Squad), the program was the employees have responded to nearly 1,950 fire off campus. first formal partnership of its kind between the and rescue calls over the past 10 years as part University and the Princeton Fire Department. of a unique partnership. The program launched as a pilot in 2009 as the fire department experienced a decline in “A University associate is a full member of The Princeton Fire Department Associate members, particularly during the day when the Princeton Fire Department and is rightly Member Program allows University employees volunteers were busy working, many far from considered a Princeton firefighter on equal to volunteer as firefighters during their work Princeton. While University employees and standing with those who live in Princeton,” said Princeton Councilman and Fire Commissioner Tim Quinn. “There’s no doubt the University program has enabled the fire department to remain all- volunteer for longer than it would have otherwise. This has allowed the municipality to hold down taxes and utilize revenue for other services.” Quinn said the partnership exemplifies a spirit of cooperation between the University and town that extends into other areas of civic life. “There’s a camaraderie among firefighters that I’ve witnessed between University staff and our homegrown members,” Quinn said. “They’ve gone through the same training and share a strong desire to serve, and a sense of duty that reflects the importance of their work.” That camaraderie was on display at a summer picnic celebrating the affiliate program’s 10th anniversary. University Fire Marshall Scott Loh Princeton University employees volunteer as municipal firefighters through the Princeton Fire Department Associate noted the program’s growth from 13 original Member Program. Here, the associate members gathered for a group photo last fall in front of the University Chapel. (Photo by Christopher Lillja, Facilities) members to 34 University volunteers today. continued on back page Art@Bainbridge opens with neighborhood block party Following extensive restoration and preservation Visitors will have the rare opportunity to discover Art@Bainbridge, located at 158 Nassau St., is a efforts, Bainbridge House, one of the few remaining the whole of Bainbridge House, including the private brief walk from the museum at the heart of the 18th-century structures in downtown Princeton, has upper floors. Princeton campus. In its inaugural year, been transformed into a compelling public venue Art@Bainbridge will offer installations and programmed by the Princeton University Art Museum. “The museum looks forward to launching exhibitions tied to the theme of shelter. The opening Called Art@Bainbridge, the new gallery space will Art@Bainbridge with the entire Princeton installation presents hand-embroidered pictures feature the work of contemporary artists in an community,” said James Steward, the Nancy A. by artist Jordan Nassar, organized by the Princeton intimate domestic setting. Nasher–David J. Haemisegger, Class of 1976, University Art Museum. Director. “This beautifully restored and updated On Saturday, Sept.14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the historic building represents the institution’s ongoing Ground-floor galleries also will serve as a convening museum will host a neighborhood block party to commitment to examining the powerful work of space for museum programs, community gatherings celebrate the grand opening of Art@Bainbridge. The today’s most exciting practitioners as it relates to and partnerships with neighbors such as the event, which includes live music, exhibition tours our shared histories, values and concerns.” Princeton Garden Theatre and Labyrinth Books. and family-friendly activities, is free to the public. One of the oldest houses in Princeton, dating to 1766, Bainbridge House has housed members of the Continental Congress and for University students, served as the Princeton Public Library for more than 50 years, and was home to the Historical Society of Non Profit Org PD US Postage Princeton NJ #186 Permit Princeton from 1967 to 2015. Owned by Princeton University since 1877, the University supported the cost of its renovation. Newly restored Bainbridge House, a gallery project of the Princeton University Art Museum, will showcase the work of emerging contemporary artists. (Artwork courtesy of the Princeton University Art Museum) save the date Community and Staff Day Saturday, Sept. 21, 3:30 p.m. • Princeton Stadium Join in a special celebration of sports, entertainment and community. Enjoy a Princeton Tigers football game (5 p.m. kickoff), a youth sports clinic for ages 5-12 hosted by Princeton University athletes, entertainment, crafts, and an information fair featuring local organizations. Questions? Email [email protected]. For FREE tickets visit tickets.princeton.edu/athletics. Offer ends Sept. 19. connections The Princeton University Office of Community and Regional Affairs is pleased to send this publication to our neighbors with information about the many ways the University and the local community intersect. Princeton University Library starts high school summer internship program This summer, three students from Princeton and Lawrenceville high schools spent much of their break interning at Princeton University Library (PUL), learning more about library work and research as well as preparing for their academic and professional futures. Nabia Evans, Toniyah Harris and Jayvee Lam joined PUL’s pilot summer internship program developed with Princeton’s Office of Community and Regional Affairs and summer youth employment programs in Princeton and Trenton. Working closely with PUL mentors and supervisors, the students carried out a number of responsibilities, from digital mapping and preparing course reserves for University faculty and staff to shelving and cataloging. “When [Associate Director] Erin Metro from the Office of Community and Regional Affairs asked if we were interested in hosting summer interns, we were delighted to have this unique opportunity to connect with the local community,” said Anu Vedantham, assistant University librarian for research services. “Our interns will gain not only professional experience but also a stronger understanding of academic libraries, whether as a potential career path for them or as a partner in Three high school students are spending this summer interning at the Princeton University Library, learning more about their future research.” library work and research as well as preparing for their academic and professional futures. From left to right: Jayvee Lam, Nabia Evans and Toniyah Harris. (Photo by Shelley Szwast, Princeton University Library) In addition to everyday tasks, each student is required to complete a research project of their choice, a challenge that excites them as they the library as one beyond academics. “Honestly, I Princeton’s Summer Youth Employment Program, prepare for college-level research. Evans, who think I want to take away something about myself, which provides students ages 14 through 18 living will soon start her first year at the University of being that I am working in African American in Princeton or attending PHS with professional Maryland Eastern Shore, said learning about the studies [with librarian Steve Knowlton],” said experience and career development training. key components of the library, such as searching Harris. “I want to learn something about me, my and scanning materials or creating a bibliography, culture, my background, where my people came “This is a superb opportunity for these youth will really help her in college. Lam, 16, is studying from, [their] great accomplishments.” to learn about Princeton University, working on how early American wars affected society through a college campus and, in particular, the many an art history lens, using the collections in the Evans said “learning the history behind [the library interesting opportunities that are available Marquand Library of Art and Archaeology. collections] is really interesting.” A recent graduate in the area of library science,” said Kristin from Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, Appelget, director of the Office of Community “Art is a major part of culture,” Lam said. “I’m she learned about the internship through the and Regional Affairs. “We are thankful for the looking at the art history books on America and Millhill Child and Family Development Center, which Princeton University Library leadership and staff [observing when and how the style] changes.” partners with the city of Trenton and the Princeton who are managing this pilot program. We hope He’s currently researching how paintings became Regional Chamber of Commerce to offer students to learn from the experience, take feedback from more patriotic after the Revolutionary War and how ages 16 through 21 summer employment with a participants in the program this summer, and art expanded, from portraits to scenes. local organization or city government.