“Postcards to Alumni” is a collection of monthly digital postcards featuring unique facts about Princeton’s history. The postcards were introduced in December 2022 by the Alumni Council’s Princetoniana and Communications and Technology (CAT) Committees who collaborated on the project.

July’s postcard about “The Declaration of Independence, Revolutionary War and the College of New Jersey” was just released:

“After the Declaration of Independence was ratified on July 4, 1776, John Dunlap swiftly printed 200 “broadsides” (copies) to be dispatched to George Washington, his troops and the colonies. Typeset errors due to haste such as “broken letters, missing words and slant” were corrected while printing “throughout the first print run,” so copies differed. Four months later, on Nov. 29, students at the College of New Jersey were told to leave quickly; British troops were approaching, creating “the improbability of continuing there in peace.” By Dec. 7, the British occupied Nassau Hall, retreating on Jan. 3, 1777, during the Battle of Princeton. On June 24, 1777, the college placed “advertisements” in newspapers, including the Pennsylvania Evening Post, informing students “to repair [return] to Princeton without delay as College orders [classes] will begin on Tuesday, the 8th of next month,” and “to take all possible pains, to provide themselves with books.” The Continental Congress, convening in Nassau Hall beginning on June 30, 1783 (sharing space with students), learned of the Sept. 3, 1783 signing of the Treaty of Paris and formally thanked Washington, previously summoned to Princeton, for his service. A memorable Commencement on Sept. 24 included Washington, members of Congress, the foreign ministers of France and Holland, and seven signers of the Declaration of Independence, celebrating degree completion for 14 undergraduates and the end of the Revolutionary War. Today, 26 copies, with various errors, of the first edition “Dunlap Broadside” remain.“

The postcards are being shared monthly with alumni around the globe via numerous digital channels.

“Our work as a committee is not only about collecting and archiving history, memorabilia and traditions but also how to share it and engage alumni,” said Jean Hendry *80, former chair of the Princetoniana committee, who is leading this initiative. “We brainstormed projects that would enable us to connect with alumni on a regular basis. At the same time, we didn’t want a project that caused alumni to have to do anything other than feel a connection to the University. ‘Postcards’ seemed to fit the bill.”

To research and collect the facts, Hendry tapped the Princetoniana committee. While Princetoniana members are experts in Princeton history and traditions, they leaned on the CAT Committee’s expertise in technology to help design the digital postcards. Credit for the initial postcard design belongs to CAT Committee member Cindy Drakeman ’02 who sourced images, conceived the nostalgic postcard look and “stamp” designs, suggested using “Dispatch” on the postcard to lend a nostalgic feel, and created many of the postcards. Credit goes to Princetoniana committee member Tom Swift ’76 for designing the initial postcard.

“We were so happy when Princetoniana approached us with the postcard idea,” said Michael Lin ’13, former vice chair of the CAT Committee. “The pandemic brought on an increase and a need for digital communication and initiatives, and this is a great one, much like Orange & Black Day that our committee helped introduce last year. ‘Postcards’ provides yet another opportunity to engage with alumni across the world and share the love of Princeton, while also bringing awareness to the great resource of Princetoniana and its museum.”

“Postcards to Alumni” will appear as a monthly feature in Tiger News and on @PrincetonAlumni social media channels. The postcards will also be archived in the Princetoniana virtual museum.