Historical Significance
The venerable doors of Nassau Hall were first opened on November 28, 1756, to President Aaron Burr and the 70 students and three tutors, who, at the time, embodied what was The College of New Jersey (as Princeton University was then known). Robert Smith, the carpenter-architect whose would later construct Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia, designed Nassau Hall with the assistance of Dr. William Shippen of Philadelphia, and William Worth, a local stonemason. Ground was broken on July 29, 1754, on the 4.5 acres donated to the college by Nathaniel and Rebeckah FitzRandolph. Smith designed the building to withstand the elements and the variable climate of New Jersey in the Georgian-Colonial style popular at the time. Locally quarried sandstone was chosen over brick as building material. The walls of Nassau Hall are 26 inches thick and the building is comprised of three floors and a basement, measuring 176 feet in length and 54 feet in width, with a two-story central prayer hall in the rear of the structure, measuring 32 by 40 feet. There were five entrances to the building; three in the front, two in the rear. A cupola atop the center of the roof provided an elegant final touch to a modestly constructed building. When finished in 1756, Nassau Hall was the largest stone structure in the colonies.

Nassau Hall was originally designed to house the entire College, with accommodations for 147 students, three to a room, on the three floors. There were recitation rooms on the first floor; the library was on the second floor; and the refectory, kitchen, storeroom, and additional student rooms were located in the basement. The interior of Nassau Hall was fairly austere for the colonial era. The hallways were paved with brick to guard against fire and to aid in the retention of heat generated from the many wood-burning (later coal-burning) fireplaces in the winter. The brick floors, coupled with the stone walls, provided a cool interior during the summer months, when classes were held during the College's early years. Student rooms were composed of hardwood floors and plaster walls and the furniture within was minimal and in-ornate.

Although designed as an all-inclusive educational institution, Old North, as Nassau Hall would later be dubbed, would soon be called upon to aid the colonists in the American Revolution and the establishment of our great nation. Scholars have often referred to The Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777, to be the turning point of the Revolutionary War, and Nassau Hall would prove to be a steadfast symbol of American strength, perseverance, and compassion. Nassau Hall exchanged hands three times during the battle, initially being occupied by the British, only to be surrendered to General Washington's troops, who had belted the structure with artillery. A scar left from an American cannonball on the south side of the west wing remains evident to this very day. Both British and American troops who were quartered there caused great damage to the young edifice; the library was plundered, the organ in the prayer hall destroyed, and much of the furniture and woodwork was used as firewood. Despite its ravished condition, Nassau Hall served its country as a barracks, hospital, and military prison.

Nassau Hall in 1783
In the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, Old North was left in shambles. The College simply did not have the resources to rebuild its once great institution. Nevertheless, much like a battered veteran of the war, Nassau Hall was still standing; waiting to contribute to the cause of liberty. Despite being only partially restored, Nassau Hall was ready to serve as the national capitol when the Continental Congress fled Philadelphia in 1783. Congress met in the library on the second floor and in the prayer hall on the first floor from June to November 1783. It was in Nassau Hall that Congress recognized George Washington's leadership during the war, received the news that Great Britain signed in agreement with the Treaty of Peace, and received, from the Netherlands, its first foreign minister. In time, funds were raised from local supporters, the State of New Jersey, and the Continental Congress to fully refurbish Nassau Hall by 1791. Merely 35 years into its existence, Nassau Hall had secured its place in American history.

From “A Brief History of Nassau Hall,” by Tad Bennicoff, 2003, Princeton University Archives website, www.princeton.edu/mudd/news/faq/topics/nassau.shtml

Visitor Information
Princeton University and Nassau Hall are located in the heart of the town on Nassau Street. Nassau Hall may be viewed from the exterior seven days a week, year round. The interior of the building may be seen by visitors on Orange Key Guide campus tours, which are offered two to three times each day. For tour hours and additional information visit www.princeton.edu/orangekey. A virtual tour and interactive and printable campus maps can also be found at this site. Groups of 15 or larger need to call at least two weeks in advance to 609-258-3060.

1. Nassau Hall Rear 2. Holder Hall Archway | Photographer: Mahlon Lovett

• Ongoing tours of Princeton University
• September 18 - Lecture by Thomas Fleming sponsored by James Madison Program
• October (to be scheduled) - Celebration Princeton and the Treaty of Paris
• Princeton University Art Museum American art collection on view until June 15 and again starting in September 2008.