Princeton Battlefield State Park

Township Mayor States His Position On Institute Housing and Battlefield

To the Editor:

As mayor, I have received numerous letters for and against the proposed housing development for the Institute for Advanced Study. As many may know, the Battle of Princeton was not just a battle at what is today’s Princeton Battlefield park. It was a battle that moved through a number of sites all the way to Nassau Hall. It is clear to me that the most value in interpreting many revolutionary era battles, as they typically spanned large areas of ground and consisted of various skirmishes, is to do so through interpretive signage, archaeology, historical tours, and of course, preserved land.

To that end, I agree with the two esteemed historians, Jim McPherson and David Hackett Fischer, in their proposed compromise regarding this development. They have put forth a compromise that would allow for the housing project to move forward with the ability to preserve a large area of the overall site from development through a permanent conservation easement. The size of the land preserved would be about double the footprint of the Institute’s housing project.

In addition, the Institute will provide for archeological work on site before and during construction, access to a path through the preserved land and public interpretive signage upon completion of the project, and potential coordination with historical agencies for historical tours, thereby enabling the public to learn more about the Battle of Princeton.

Compromises inevitably leave both sides with perceived gains and losses. However, in this case I believe the right balance presents itself. We will enable many generations to more fully understand the Battle of Princeton and its importance through interpretive signage, historical tours, archaeology, and preserved land. We will also see to the housing needs met for the talented and creative faculty at the Institute for Advanced Study.

Chad Goerner

Mayor, Princeton Township

“Experiential Learning” Enhances Hun Lessons

Sophomore students of U.S. history honors from The Hun School of Princeton recently visited Princeton Battlefield State Park to further their understanding of the Battle of Princeton through “experiential learning.”

Experiential learning takes students out of a traditional learning environment and places them, as active participants, in a space that becomes their classroom. Hun students were encouraged to consider the environment of the battle, and to use that information to enhance traditional classroom lessons.

The class utilized the school’s extended fourth period, a two-hour long class that includes a break for lunch. “The extended-period allows us to take advantage of the historically significant spaces around us, and use them as our classroom,” said Ryan Hews, Upper School head and faculty member. “Location learning creates the opportunity for students to further participate in the learning process. And, nothing is more rewarding to me, as a teacher, than to have a student become excited about engaging in history, away from a book.”

Earlier in the semester, members of the class travelled to Massachusetts, where location learning took place in Plymouth, Boston, and Salem. “We are inspiring students to consider the world as their classroom and that learning extends beyond the daily schedule of classes,” said Mr. Hews. A trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is scheduled for February.

Students in the U.S. history honors class left Princeton Battlefield with a heightened awareness and greater context of the events of January 3, 1777, and an appreciation for the importance of historical preservation and protection. Members of the class are planning to return to the State Park and volunteer to help maintain the memorial to the soldiers who fell in battle.

To learn more about Hun, visit www.hunschool.org.