This blog includes text and images drawn from historical sources that may contain material that is offensive or harmful. We strive to accurately represent the past while being sensitive to the needs and concerns of our audience. If you have any feedback to share on this topic, please either comment on a relevant post, or use our Ask Us form to contact us.

Author: April C. Armstrong *14

  • This Week in Princeton History for December 4-10

    This Week in Princeton History for December 4-10

    In this week’s installment in our recurring series, a group of students stage a rowdy protest of an anti-feminist lecture on campus, the College president places a large order of sugar, and more.

  • This Week in Princeton History for November 27-December 3

    This Week in Princeton History for November 27-December 3

    By April C. Armstrong *14 In this week’s installment in our recurring series, Princeton’s colors are controversial, a farmer seeks help finding a poultry thief, and more. November 27, 1888—San Francisco’s Daily Evening Bulletin summarizes remarks made by David R. Sessions, Class of 1870, at a recent alumni dinner at the Occidental Hotel in San…

  • This Week in Princeton History for November 20-26

    This Week in Princeton History for November 20-26

    By April C. Armstrong *14 In this week’s installment in our recurring series, military pilots have high praise for Princeton, an alum writes about new dangers in Paris, and more. November 20, 1830—In a fictional tale in the New York Mirror, Emma C. Embury describes Princeton: “Every one [sic] has heard of Princeton, the abode…

  • When Shakespeare Came to Princeton

    When Shakespeare Came to Princeton

    Princeton aficionados of Shakespeare, including me, can take satisfaction that his works have been on campus for probably as long as the University has existed in Princeton, if not before.

  • This Week in Princeton History for November 13-19

    This Week in Princeton History for November 13-19

    By April C. Armstrong *14 In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a Philadelphia newspaper denounces New Jersey officials for not being more supportive of Princeton, a new roof is controversial, and more. November 13, 1802—An essay in the Philadelphia Repository denounces “The groveling, penurious and ungracious” “people of New Jersey”: Princeton College, which…

  • This Week in Princeton History for November 6-12

    This Week in Princeton History for November 6-12

    In this week’s installment of our recurring series, students mourn the loss of four in their class, a Philadelpha newspaper responds to Princeton’s president, and more. November 7, 1958—The Women’s Auxiliary of the Philadelphia Section of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers has made a donation of $500 to the Princeton University’s electrical engineering department.…

  • This Week in Princeton History for October 30-November 5

    This Week in Princeton History for October 30-November 5

    In this week’s installment of our recurring series, major renovations bring indoor plumbing to all dorm residents, a self-identified “group of queers” refuses to be silenced, and more. November 1, 1902—Town & Country reports that Princeton has made significant renovations to modernize, after a summer during which over 300 employees were focused on the dorms.…

  • This Week in Princeton History for October 23-29

    This Week in Princeton History for October 23-29

    In this week’s installment of our recurring series, new streets have familiar names, student voting is a subject of controversy, and more. October 23, 1895—Streets that surround the new lots east of the athletic fields have been given “well known Princeton names.”

  • Visibility Epidemic: Conversations on AIDS and Queerness at Princeton University, Part II

    Visibility Epidemic: Conversations on AIDS and Queerness at Princeton University, Part II

    By Travis York ’23 with April C. Armstrong *14 In this, the second part of the story on AIDS awareness on Princeton University’s campus, we will cover the representation of AIDS and queerness within selected student newspapers and alumni publications. While all of the United States began to discuss AIDS in the 1990s, especially in…

  • This Week in Princeton History for October 16-22

    This Week in Princeton History for October 16-22

    In this week’s installment of our recurring series, student volunteers attend orientation before engaging in dangerous civil rights work, a senior complains about unwarranted accusations of being a communist, and more. October 18, 1964—Seven Princeton student volunteers attend orientation at the headquarters of the Council of Federated Organizations in Jackson, Mississippi. Philip L. Fetzer ’65…