A Classic American Town with a Pivotal Revolutionary War History
Just an hour’s train ride from both New York City and Philadelphia, Princeton, New Jersey, is a pristine, tree-lined enclave that effortlessly blends centuries of American history with a vibrant collegiate energy and modern cultural attractions. Best known as the home of its legendary Ivy League university, the town’s storied streets and rolling landscapes offer sophisticated travelers a remarkable collection of architectural marvels, world-class cultural institutions, and deeply rooted Revolutionary War heritage.
Whether you are strolling past the boutique shops of Palmer Square or wandering the quiet paths of its historic neighborhoods, Princeton reveals itself as a destination where the past is meticulously preserved and enriched by the monumental figures who walked its paths and shaped a nation.
PRINCETON BATTLEFIELD: TURNING POINT OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
In 1777, Princeton became the stage for George Washington’s most critical, tide-turning victory over the British Redcoats.
Fresh off a decisive victory over the Hessian Troops at Trenton's Barracks, Washington’s troops secretly marched to Princeton to encircle the enemy, unexpectedly colliding with a British detachment on the Thomas Clarke farm. Over the next hour, Americans troops overcame and forced the British to retreat, but not without the loss of American Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, Washington's good friend, who was mortally wounded in battle and died inside the Clarke House.
Today, a clone of the legendary Mercer Oak marks where the general fell, and the Thomas Clarke House stands nearby. An Ionic Colonnade honors the fallen soldiers buried on-site. Ultimately, the Continental Army's victory here broke enemy lines, forced a British retreat from New Jersey, and secured American independence.
MORVEN MUSEUM & GARDEN: A MONUMENT TO AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
Take a self-guided tour of Morven Museum & Garden, an impressive landmark built in the 1750s that is one of the state's most historic treasures. Built by Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, this sprawling Georgian-style stone and white-painted brick mansion has hosted five U.S. presidents and served for decades as New Jersey's first official Governor's Mansion.
Behind the house, lovely period gardens frame the mansion and its historic outbuildings, offering a tranquil stroll through centuries of American horticultural heritage.
PRINCETON CEMETERY: THE WESTMINSTER ABBEY OF THE UNITED STATES
Home to an astonishing number of historical titans buried here, a stroll through the town's cemetery offers a profound look into the nation's past. Among the most notable sites is the grave of Vice President Aaron Burr, whose father was a founder and the 2nd president of the university. Nearby lies U.S. President Grover Cleveland, who fell so deeply in love with Princeton's charms, chose it as his place of retirement. History enthusiasts can also pay respects at the grave of John Witherspoon, a foundational university president and a passionate signer of the Declaration of Independence.
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY: REVOLUTIONARY WAR & GOTHIC LANDMARKS
Since 1756, Princeton has been home to the venerable university. In that time, its initial building, Nassau Hall, played host to the Founding Fathers, served briefly as the capitol of the United States in 1783, and hosted a historic reception for George Washington to celebrate the end of the Revolutionary War. Also constructed in 1756 is the yellow-painted brick Maclean House, which served as the original residence of the university president.
Later notable architectural landmarks include the high Victorian Gothic Chancellor Green Library (1873), Richardson Auditorium (1892), East Pyne Hall (1897), and the breathtaking Princeton University Chapel (1928).
PRINCETON'S FAMOUS STUDENTS & ALUMNI
F. Scott Fitzgerald, author
Michelle Obama, former First Lady
James Madison, 4th U.S. President
Jimmy Stewart, actor
Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon
Brooke Shields, actress
Robert Caro, author
LEGENDARY SCIENTISTS & MATHEMATICIANS AT PRINCETON & THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCE STUDY
Albert Einstein, physicist
J. Robert Oppenheimer, physicist
John von Neumann, mathematician
Alan Turing, British logician & mathematician - the father of theoretical computer science, and the subject of the film The Imitation Game.
John Nash, mathematician - subject of the film A Beautiful Mind.
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