Committee for the Bicentennial of Nassau Hall Records, 1953-1956 (mostly 1956)

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Collection Overview

Creator:

Princeton University. Committee on the Bicentennial of Nassau Hall.

Title:

Committee for the Bicentennial of Nassau Hall Records

Repository:

Princeton University Archives

Permanent URL:

http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/zp38wc612

Dates:

1953-1956 (mostly 1956)

Size:

3 boxes

Storage Note:

Mudd Manuscript Library (scamudd): Box 1-3

Language:

English

Abstract: The Nassau Hall Bicentennial Committee was established to plan the 200th anniversary of Nassau Hall over a two-day period beginning on September 22, 1956. The collection documents the activities of the Committee through correspondence, publications, news articles, and press releases.

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

The collection documents the activities of the Committee through correspondence, publications, news articles, and press releases. Also included are a sheet of commemorative stamps and a resolution issued by the State of New Jersey observing the bicentennial event.

Collection Creator Biography:

Princeton University. Committee on the Bicentennial of Nassau Hall.

Built in 1756, Nassau Hall originally housed the entire College. Designed by Robert Smith and William Shippen, the building was named for King William III, Prince of Orange-Nassau. Today, Nassau Hall houses the office of the president and other administrative offices.

A fire in 1802 left only the walls standing. Benjamin Henry Latrobe was engaged to rebuild it along its original lines. After a second fire in 1855, John Notman, who was also the architect for Prospect House and Walter Lowrie House, made a number of exterior changes, including the staircases at the ends of the building and the arched front doorway.

The sturdy stone structure has survived bombardment during the American Revolution (a cannonball scar is visible on the exterior south wall of the west wing), occupation by troops of both sides during this war, and two fires. George Washington drove the British from Nassau Hall in 1777, and during the latter half of 1783 it served as the Capitol of the United States. On August 26th of that year, Washington returned to Nassau Hall to receive the thanks of the Continental Congress for his conduct of the war, and on October 31st news arrived there that the Treaty of Paris had been signed, formally ending the War for American Independence.

In 1953, the Committee for the Bicentennial of Nassau Hall convened its first planning meeting. Comprised of representatives from the Trustees, faculty, and administration, the Committee developed a comprehensive celebratory program to commemorate not just a physical structure, but also the very heart and soul of the Princeton campus. Events included a dinner at Procter Hall with guest speaker Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court John Marshall Harlan '20, various alumni functions, and the awarding of honorary degrees. The federal government also recognized Nassau Hall's momentous early history. The building has been given both national landmark status and acknowledgement with a commemorative postage stamp–the first in United States history printed on colored paper–issued to celebrate its 1956 bicentennial.

Collection History

Processing Information: This collection was processed by Carol Burke in December 2002. Finding aid written by Carol Burke in December 2002. Box 3 added by Christie Peterson in May 2012.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. The Trustees of Princeton University hold copyright to all materials generated by Princeton University employees in the course of their work. For instances beyond Fair Use, if copyright is held by Princeton University, researchers do not need to obtain permission, complete any forms, or receive a letter to move forward with use of materials from the Princeton University Archives.

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Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

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