Thomas H. Pyle, Treasurer
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NOW THE THIRD BATTLE OF PRINCETON: CRISIS AT PRINCETON BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK TESTIMONY OF THE PRINCETON BATTLEFIELD SOCIETY, THOMAS H. PYLE, TREASURER AT THE NEW JERSEY STATE SENATE 2020 BUDGET HEARINGS TRENTON, NEW JERSEY MARCH 29, 2019 Distinguished Senators… I’m Thomas Pyle, Treasurer of the Princeton Battlefield Society (“PBS”), New Jersey’s Officially Recognized Friends Organization (“ORFO”) of the Princeton Battlefield State Park. We preserve, protect, and promote Princeton Battlefield State Park and the historic legacy of the 1777 Battle of Princeton in the American Revolution. I am here today to report the “Third Battle of Princeton”, a crisis wrought by years of underfunding, and to ask for special legislation to save the heritage of this hallowed place—and rescue the State’s worsening reputation as its steward. BACKGROUND At the Battle of Princeton in1777, General George Washington and the Continental Army vanquished the British to win the Ten Crucial Days campaign (Crossing the Delaware, First Trenton, Second Trenton, Princeton). This great victory has inspired Americans for generations. Great artists like John Trumbull and Charles Willson Peale have painted it. Great authors like David McCullough and David Hackett Fisher have penned about it. The United States Navy has named ships after it. 1 Princeton Battlefield State Park, born in 1946, was named a National Historic Landmark in 1961. Princeton Battlefield Society, founded in 1971, back then helped the State acquire more land. In when the park was threatened by adjacent residential development, in 2012 we got the National Trust for Historic Preservation to list the place, as one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. Our latest achievement, after “The Second Battle of Princeton”, is the acquisition of nearly 20 more acres for the park. Boosted by over $4 million raised by the American Battlefield Trust from across the nation, our work led to the purchase of ground on which 40% of the Battle of Princeton occurred. THE CRISIS We know this field intimately. We care about this park deeply. We advance this place’s heritage ceaselessly. As true friends of the park, we are sad to report the “Third Battle of Princeton”… that our peerless Princeton Battlefield State Park is in crisis. From chronic underfunding for several years, the park’s assets are crumbling, especially the Thomas Clarke House, only witness structure to the Battle itself, where General Hugh Mercer died of his wounds. Basic maintenance is sorely lacking. Interpretative signage is debilitated. The park’s environment is now overrun by unchecked invasive species. And then, a coup de grace… As the park sinks rapidly into decrepitude, the State has delayed yet longer the replacement for the park’s full-time site administrator’s position, now vacant for a year. No one is now on site to manage the property. No one is at the Clarke House Museum to admit the public. No one is there to tend to the fallen soldiers’ gravesite monument. No one is present to summon the Park Police in emergencies. Thus, walls are cracking. Water pipes are bursting. Vandalism is rising. Field trash is piling up. The park’s natural beauty is spoiling. Privately funded restorations are dissipating. In short, the unique heritage of this hallowed American ground, where Washington saved the Revolution, is being desecrated. No other New Jersey historic park of such national significance is being so sorely 2 neglected and abused. The stewardship of this greatest of national historic locations is becoming a national disgrace—and a disgusting blotch on the reputation of its steward, the State of New Jersey. CALL TO ACTION What to do? We propose an emergency three-step plan: 1. First, the Legislature should petition the Governor to order the immediate hiring of a full-time site administrator. (The position’s specification is that of “Resource Interpretive Specialist 1”, considered at a “P-20” paygrade level.) 2. Second, the Legislature should petition the Governor to direct the NJ Division of Parks and Forestry to prepare immediately, with the Princeton Battlefield Society, a comprehensive needs analysis. 3. Third, the Legislature should prepare emergency funding specifically for Princeton Battlefield State Park, of at least $1 million p.a. for three years, according to emergency budget parameters to be proposed in 30 days by the Princeton Battlefield Society. CONCLUSION At a perilous moment, the first Battle of Princeton saved our fledging nation. In our time the “Second Battle of Princeton” saved hallowed battlefield ground from reckless residential development. Now we must fight a “Third Battle of Princeton”, to reverse years of neglect and underfunding, so to save the park itself—and to rescue the State’s diminished reputation as its steward. Thus might we also save—and proudly salute yet anew—that most glorious memory of that most valorous deed by that most valiant American, the victory of General George Washington at the Battle of Princeton, which saved the American Revolution. For further information: Thomas H. Pyle, Treasurer, Princeton Battlefield Society PO Box 7645, Princeton, NJ 08543, e. [email protected], www.pbs1777.org 3 Memo from Princeton Battlefield Society (Mike Russell, Site Committee Chair, e. [email protected], c. 732-841-6671) March 29, 2019 (v.2) Crisis at Princeton Battlefield State Park Situation: Now a crisis… After 7 months vacant, full-time site administrator position now not to be filled. Clarke House interior seriously deteriorating In one week, Clarke House suffered o basement flood from frozen pipes; attic compressor flood from frozen pipe o heat failure o unlocked basement door security breach Field maintenance sorely deferred and neglected Public access now blocked U.S. flag disregarded and disrespected Action needed: Appointment of full-time administrator. Buckled north wall in Kitchen Buckled north wall (detail) 4 Flooded basement, after busted frozen pipes Improvised upright support below kitchen Crumbling kitchen wall (detail) Unattached downspout, months unattended Water damaged ceiling after attic compressor failure Bucket and tarp to catch water leaking through ceiling 5 Tire tracks on Clarke House back lawn Kudzu and bamboo encroaching Shed Pedestal with artistic tile field map, 10 years ago Pedestal today, years neglected. “No unauthorized vehicles” Dilapidated bike path 6 Clarke House schedule before crisis Clarke House schedule after crisis Trash pile near Clarke House Unremoved bamboo, felled 12 months ago! Carelessly strewn field trash along driveway Public toilet, locked most of the time 7 Dilapidated Shed, with holes and moss on roof Tree branch abrasing Shed roof, unattended for months. Rotting planks against Shed side, unmoved for months Busted Clarke House signpost, unattended for months Iconic Colonnade, as it used to be Iconic Colonnade today, stained and impaired 8 Unkempt, broken Gravesite court, field trash adjacent. Gravesite medallion, many character inserts missing Specimen dogwoods, overwhelmed by pines Storm damage, still unattended after weeks Rotting stump, one of several, unattended for months Perimeter field trash near Colonnade 9 Then: Washington at Princeton, by Charles Now: The dirty, ragged flag that flew for months— Willson Peale, 1783, commemorating one of unattended, neglected, disrespected—where the greatest moments in American history. Washington saved the American Revolution. PRINCETON BATTLEFIELD SOCIETY, BOX 7645, PRINCETON, NJ 08543 MIKE RUSSELL, SITE COMMITTEE CHAIR, E. [email protected], C. 732-841-6671 10 .