Princeton University Unspoken History

A Journey Through History and Reflection

Princeton University, located in the heart of New Jersey, is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in the United States. Visiting this Ivy League campus feels like stepping into a living postcard, with its historic buildings and lush greenery creating a stunning backdrop. Beyond its beauty, the university has a rich and complex history that includes stories of intellectual achievement and, equally important, reflection on the darker aspects of its past, including its ties to slavery. Whether you’re visiting for the scenery, academic allure, or to explore its history, Princeton University is a must-see. 

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Princeton University is well known for its Gothic architecture, lush landscapes, and a campus that blends the old with the new. The buildings, ike Nassau Hall, East Pyne, and Blair Arch, are framed by creeping ivy and glowing colors, making it an ideal time for photography and long, reflective walks.

Historical Significance

Founded in 1746 as the College of New Jersey, Princeton University has long shaped the minds of many great leaders, including U.S. Presidents James Madison and Woodrow Wilson. The campus architecture alone attests to its historical significance. Nassau Hall, for example, briefly served as the nation’s capital in 1783 when the Continental Congress met there.

As you walk the campus, you are surrounded by historical landmarks that offer insight into America’s past. Nassau Hall, the oldest building on campus, has witnessed countless pivotal moments in U.S. history. The Princeton Cemetery, located just off campus, is the final resting place of some of the country’s most influential figures, including Aaron Burr, a Princeton alumnus and former U.S. Vice President.

While Princeton’s contribution to American history is substantial, it is essential to confront its ties to slavery, a facet of its history that long went overlooked. Recent research has revealed that Princeton University, like many early American institutions, had both direct and indirect connections to slavery.

The Princeton & Slavery Project

A detailed research initiative launched by the university uncovered the involvement of students, faculty, and trustees in the institution of slavery. Many early trustees owned slaves, and enslaved people worked on campus, particularly in Nassau Hall. The university’s early financial stability was also tied to the fortunes of slaveholders.

 

In particular, Princeton’s sixth president, Jonathan Edwards, owned slaves. Although he was a renowned theologian, this aspect of his life casts a shadow over his legacy. The university’s wealth and its early donor base were intertwined with the profits of the transatlantic slave trade and plantations in the American South.

Touring the Campus

The university has since taken significant steps to acknowledge these findings and make them public. Campus walking tours now include stops that address these uncomfortable yet essential aspects of its history. These stops allow visitors to reflect on the people whose labor and suffering helped build the institution we see today.

For tour information and transportation, please visit: https://www.princeton.edu/meet-princeton/visit-us#tours-information-sessions

 

The Slavery and Princeton Walking Tour, for example, guides you through the buildings and monuments, now seen through a different lens, one that acknowledges the contributions and suffering of enslaved people.

Betsey Stockton was born a slave in 1798. Despite her circumstances, she was allowed to read books and attend evening classes. She strongly desired to become a Christian missionary. The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missionaries granted her freedom and accepted her as a member.

Betsey Stockton and 20 other missionaries departed from New Haven, Connecticut, and arrived in the Hawaiian Islands. She was the first known African American woman to set foot in Hawaii. After spending time in Hawaii, she moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she dedicated her life to educating black children. Betsey Stockton passed away in her hometown of Princeton, New Jersey, in October 1865.

 

 

Changing of Times

In 1935, Bruce M. Wright became the first African American admitted to Princeton. However, due to racial issues, he was sent home. He later graduated from Lincoln University and earned a law degree from New York Law School in 1950. Notably, Woodrow Wilson, Princeton’s 13th president, barred black students from attending the university. Princeton did not have its first black graduate until 1948.

Princeton University was originally an all-male school. In 1969, it decided to become coeducational and admit women undergraduates for the first time. Eight women transfer students graduated in June 1970, and the number of women graduating increased in the following years.

Things to Do Around Princeton

Princeton University Art Museum and the surrounding town offer a variety of attractions to enhance your trip. Stroll through Palmer Square to enjoy boutique shops, restaurants, and cafes. For a peaceful escape, visit Princeton Battlefield State Park to explore the Revolutionary War battle site.

Morven Museum & Garden was once home to Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a slaveholder. The museum further reflects on the intertwined history of American independence and slavery.