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This Week in Princeton History for December 16-22
By April C. Armstrong *14 In this week’s installment in our recurring series, a new building’s design includes smoking space, a committee is formed to shade the library, and more. December 17, 1924—Architects at the firm of Day & Klauder have prepared a proposed design for the new School of Engineering, to be built opposite…
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This Week in Princeton History for December 9-15
By April C. Armstrong *14 In this week’s installment in our recurring series, a bat disrupts a campus event, a student complains about dining hall etiquette, and more. December 9, 1930—Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s Evening News observes “That it is very hard to tell the difference between a street cleaner and a Princeton man because they both…
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Dear Mr. Mudd: What Is the Origin of the “‘Old Nassau’ Salute”?
By April C. Armstrong *14 Dear Mr. Mudd, What is the origin of the “‘Old Nassau’ Salute”? It has a concerning appearance to me, and I wondered if it has any relationship to any 20th-century gestures we might want to avoid today. What your message terms a “salute” looks as it does now because most…
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This Week in Princeton History for December 2-8
By April C. Armstrong *14 In this week’s installment in our recurring series, a writer notes the “astonishing” crowds at a recent event, students are signing up for a new volunteer opportunity, and more. December 2, 1846—Arguing that exposure to the practice of enslaving people results in depraved youth, a writer in Boston’s Zion’s Herald…
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This Week in Princeton History for November 25-December 1
By April C. Armstrong *14 In this week’s installment in our recurring series, a football player makes history, students are discouraged from applauding the faculty, and more. November 25, 1899—Arthur Poe, Class of 1900, volunteers to kick a field goal after both of Princeton’s kickers have left the game due to injury. Poe has never…
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This Week in Princeton History for November 18-24
By April C. Armstrong *14 In this week’s installment in our recurring series, the Princeton University Library addresses accusations of censorship, older alumni express support for the admission of women, and more. November 19, 1923—The University Librarian, James Thayer Gerould, enters the ongoing controversy between Princeton and Upton Sinclair. Gerould defends the Library against Sinclair’s…
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Racial Segregation Propagandist Carleton Putnam, Class of 1924, Part II: Alumni Perspectives and Upholding Freedom of Speech (1970s)
Integral to Carleton Putnam’s argument on race was the notion that the demographics of students at Princeton should remain genetically analogous to what was represented in the early days of Princeton; that is, Princeton should predominantly be composed of white men, preferably with familial connections to the school.
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This Week in Princeton History for November 11-17
By April C. Armstrong *14 In this week’s installment in our recurring series, stolen lasagna is a topic of widespread discussion, students donate to a charity to combat yellow fever, and more. November 12, 1975—An investigative report in the Daily Princetonian details widespread corruption and theft in the Department of Food Services. Although there are…
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Racial Segregation Propagandist Carleton Putnam, Class of 1924, Part I: His Adversaries and Allies at Princeton and Beyond (1960s)
Beginning in the 1950s and continuing through the ’60s, Princeton University underwent drastic social change which reshaped thought about legalized segregation and discrimination against African Americans. During this time, Princeton confronted tensions between maintaining Princeton’s traditional demographics and allowing racially diverse applicants equality of opportunity.
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This Week in Princeton History for November 4-10
In this week’s installment in our recurring series, construction begins on a new group of buildings, Harvard offends Princeton’s president, and more.
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