“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.

January’s postcard about “The Journey of the Joseph Henry House” was just released:

Designated a National Historic Landmark on Jan. 12,1965, the Joseph Henry House has the distinction as the campus structure most often relocated. The brick (now painted yellow) Greek Revival and Federal-style house built in 1838 for Professor Joseph Henry, presumably by Charles Steadman, was originally located between West College and Stanhope. Henry, a “self-educated” physicist, joined the faculty of the College of New Jersey in 1832. His research on electromagnetism led to the discovery of the phenomenon of self-inductance in electrical circuits and changes of currents, measured in units known as the henry (H). While Henry left the college in 1846 to lead the newly established Smithsonian Institution, unmarried faculty continued living at Henry House until 1908 when it became the residence for the various deans of the college, of students and of the faculty. Henry House began its journey about campus in 1870, moved brick-by-brick to a location behind East College to make room for Reunion Hall. In 1925, it was relocated intact to the corner of Washington Road and Nassau Street to make way for the Chapel. Finally in 1946, to make way for Firestone Library, it was moved to its current location adjacent to Chancellor Green. In 2000, the Joseph Henry House underwent renovations and became part of what today is the Andlinger Center for the Humanities.

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.