Philatelic Photograph: Nassau Hall - Princeton, NJ

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Nassau Hall

Princeton, NJ

Topic: Philatelic Photograph

GPS: N40° 20.929; W074° 39.563

Quick Description: 

Nassau Hall is located on the campus of Princeton University in Princeton, NJ

Long Description:

Nassau Hall was built from 1754 - 1756 and is the oldest building on the campus of Princeton University. The original building was designed by Robert Smith and remodeled by Benjamin Latrobe and John Notman. The building was used to hold classes, a library, a chapel, and a residence hall for both for students and faculty. Today Nassau Hall houses Princeton University's administrative offices, including the office of the President of the University. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

During the Revolutionary War, Nassau Hall was under the control of both the British and American forces. During this time it was severely damaged. After the war, from July to October 1783, Princeton was the capital of the United States.

A plaque at the entrance is inscribed with the buildings history:

This building, erected in 1756 by the College of New Jersey and named Nassau Hall in honor of King William III, was seized by British forces for military purposes in 1776, and retaken by the American Army January 3, 1777.

Here met from June 30, 1783 until Nov. 4, 1788, the Continental Congress, and here Aug. 26, 1783, General Washington received the grateful acknowledgements of the Congress for his services in establishing the freedom and independence of the United States of America.


Erected
October 21, 1896, by the
Society of Sons of
the Revolution in the

State of New Jersey

The stamp was issued by the United States in 1956 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Nassau Hall. it was the first U.S. commemorative stamp ever printed on colored paper (orange).