-
This Week in Princeton History for August 15-21
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a dean dreams of pretty postcards, the natural history museum receives a significant donation of specimens, and more. August 15, 1923—Andrew Fleming West, Dean of the Graduate School, writes to a friend about his hopes to get attractive postcards printed showing scenes around campus: “They have such…
-
This Week in Princeton History for August 8-14
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, the College treasurer defends himself against rumors of embezzlement, a new graduate meets an untimely end, and more. August 9, 1844—With a high of 91 degrees, this is the hottest day of the year. It is “rather warmer” overall this year than in 1843. August 10, 1881—Rumors…
-
Princeton 275: Samuel Atkins ’31’s Application for Admission, 1927
This post is part of a series about items currently on exhibition at Mudd Library as part of “Princeton 275.” In this series, we go in-depth about selected items on display to let you know more about the story behind them and why we chose to include them. Living graduates of Princeton University had a much more…
-
This Week in Princeton History for August 1-7
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, an alum encourages political revolution, a newspaper speculates on the reasons 32 Princeton students have flunked, and more. August 2, 1781—Preaching to “a large assembly,” James Power (Class of 1766) urges support for the American Revolution. “Think of ye cruel acts of ye British parliament,” he says,…
-
This Week in Princeton History for July 25-31
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a student vows to eat no more lobsters, an athlete wins a significant award, and more. July 25, 1956—Joseph Levy *58 is traveling with his new wife via the Andrea Doria from Genoa after their wedding in Paris when the ship collides with the Stockholm off Nantucket…
-
This Week in Princeton History for July 18-24
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a material shortage forever alters a Princeton tradition, an alum is forced to take charge, and more. July 20, 1943—Due to shortages of the material needed, all members of the Class of 1945 who want beer jackets must have registered their requests already. No unregistered student will…
-
This Week in Princeton History for July 11-17
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a baseball player turns pro, a former instructor laments the loss of the gymnasium, and more. July 11, 1818—London’s Literary Gazette overviews the state of American college education, singling out Princeton as the only institution with “any systematic lectures on moral philosophy.” The writer goes on, The…
-
This Week in Princeton History for July 4-10
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, Jesse Owens runs in Palmer Stadium, local authorities ban rogue swine, and more. July 4, 1936—Jesse Owens competes in the Amateur Athletic Union’s track meet in Palmer Stadium, an event with additional attention paid to it due to the upcoming 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. July 7,…
-
This Week in Princeton History for June 27-July 3
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, New Jersey’s governor worries that the colonists won’t support a college, a court rules in favor of an alum, and more. June 27, 1748—Governor Jonathan Belcher writes to the Committee of the West Jersey Society, But as I find upon the Best inquiry hardly Sixty thousand Souls…
-
This Week in Princeton History for June 20-26
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a rainstorm disrupts Class Day, a London newspaper points to Princeton as a positive example to follow, and more. June 22, 1926—A silent film about the experiences of the Class of 1926 is screened at the Garden Theatre. Admission is free. June 24, 1872—When a sudden rainstorm…
Princeton University Library
University Archives
