Library Research

Located on the second floor of Bainbridge House and accessible only by stairs, the Historical Society’s library is open by appointment (to request an appointment, please call 609.921.6748 x100). Accommodations to use library materials on the first floor of Bainbridge House for patrons with physical disabilities may be made by appointment.

Research and photocopying fees

On-site use of collections:

  • Free for HSP members!
  • $5 for non-members
  • $15 per hour plus photocopies if not present at Bainbridge House

Photocopying is permitted (within copyright limitations) if library materials are in good condition.

  • 35 cents per 8 ½ x 11 sheet (letter size)
  • 50 cents per 8 ½ x 14 sheet (legal size)

Photographic reproductions

Photographic reproductions of images and manuscript materials in the Historical Society’s collections can be provided for a fee.  Public display or publication (in books, articles, feature films, websites, and other media) requires permission from the Historical Society (separate fees may apply).

Photo Reproduction Fees

  • 8 x 10 black and white- $40.00
  • 11 x 14 black and white- $55.00
  • 16 x 20 black and white- $70.00
  • Scanned image file- $40.00 (usual specifications 300 dpi, Tiff file on CD)

Princeton History Bibliography

To begin studying Princeton history, the following titles will be helpful:
Axtell, James.  The Making of Princeton University: from Woodrow Wilson to the Present / Princeton,
N.J. : Princeton University Press, 2006

Breese, Gerald William. Footprints on Edgehill
Street : Glimpses of Princeton Life, 1684-1990 / Princeton, N.J. : Darwin Press, 1991

Greenwald, Alice M. Old Traditions, New Beginnings: Two Hundred Fifty Years of Princeton Jewish History / Princeton, N.J.: Historical Society of Princeton, 2002

Greiff, Constance M. and Wanda S. Gunning.  Morven : Memory, Myth & Reality / Princeton, N.J.: Historic Morven, Inc., 2004

Greiff, Constance M., Mary W. Gibbons, and Elizabeth G.C. Menzies.  Princeton Architecture: a Pictorial History of Town and Campus.  Princeton, N.J., Princeton University Press, 1967

Hageman, John F.  History of Princeton and its   Institutions / Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1879

Rhinehart, Raymond P.  Princeton University / New York : Princeton Architectural Press, 1999

Smith, Richard D.  Princeton / Dover, N.H. :  Arcadia, 1997

Smith, Richard D., Princeton University /Charleston, SC : Arcadia, 2005

Washington, Jack.  The Long Journey Home: a Bicentennial History of the Black Community of Princeton, New Jersey 1776-1976 / Trenton, N.J. : Africa World Press, 2005

African American History in Princeton, The History of African American Community in Princeton, New Jersey by PULSE, http://phs.prs.k12.nj.us/pulse/index.html

Princeton University Chapel, http://web.princeton.edu/sites/chapel/history.html

Researchers can supplement their work at the Historical Society by contacting other local institutions, including the Princeton Public Library.

THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PRINCETON

158 Nassau St., Princeton NJ 08542
(609) 921-6748 fax (609) 921-6939

Thank you for contacting the Historical Society of Princeton in regard to your research request. Please fill out this form as completely as possible and mail it to HSP at the above address. There is a $15 charge for all written responses that covers one hour of research. Please enclose a check made payable to the Historical Society of Princeton. There are additional fees of .20, .25, or .50 cents for copies made depending on size. An invoice for copies will be sent with the Historical Society's response to your inquiry.

Please note: Written inquiries are answered as time and staffing permits. Please allow at least 4 to 8 weeks for a reply.

Date_______________________________________________________________________
Full Name_____________________________ Telephone__________________________
Address____________________________________________________________________
Fax________________________________________________________________________
E-mail address______________________________________________________________
Student (please list school or college) ________________________________________

Representing:



DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH REQUEST:
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TYPE OF MATERIAL NEEDED: (i.e. copies of photographs, genealogical records, documents, etc.)
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REASON FOR RESEARCH:
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Thank you for your inquiry. We will contact you if further information is needed. If you would like to personally utilize the Society's archival or photo collection, please schedule an appointment to visit the library by calling 609.921.6748 x100.