Do you know which building on campus was the first to be named for a woman?
Why did the College of New Jersey (ultimately Princeton University) move to Princeton from Newark?
Where was Picasso’s first home for “Head of a Woman,” and when did it move?
“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.
September’s postcard about “Maclean House” was just released:
“Built in 1756, Maclean House was designed by Robert Smith along with Nassau Hall. A Sept. 16, 1956, New York Times article, “Princeton’s past echoes in house,” mentioned “it is one of the most carefully preserved examples of colonial architecture in the United States.” Maclean House served as home to 10 Princeton presidents beginning with Aaron Burr Sr., before becoming the Dean’s House in 1883. The article noted that James Madison ’1771 *1772 (Princeton’s first graduate student) pursued his graduate degree with John Witherspoon in the first-floor study. John Adams, Samuel Adams and John Hancock overnighted there “en route to Congress in Philadelphia” in 1774. The British army used it as their headquarters during the Revolutionary War, but on the morning of Jan. 3, 1777, British officers “left a steaming breakfast” to “rally their commands for the Battle of Princeton” and “American troops arrived to enjoy the meal.” It became the Office of the Alumni Council in 1968, renamed Maclean House for our 10th president, John Maclean ’1816, who helped found the Alumni Association. It was declared a national historic monument in 1971 and today is considered home to all Princeton alumni. ”
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.
