Collection of the Historical Society of Princeton
Elizabeth Monroe – Executive Director
A longtime resident of Princeton, Dr. Monroe served as Dean of Students and taught within the History department at Princeton Day School (PDS) for 12 years. Prior to her tenure at PDS, Dr. Monroe taught at the undergraduate level at Seton Hall University, Stern College for Women of Yeshiva University, and Pratt Institute. In addition, she worked as an editor at George Braziller Publishers in New York City. Dr. Monroe earned an AB degree from Bowdoin College and a PhD in art history from the University of Southern California. She also volunteers her time with the Academics, Talent, and Culture Committee of Foundation Academies in Trenton and the Princeton-Colmar Sister City Association.
Eve Mandel – Director of Education and Outreach
Eve has been charged with developing and expanding HSP’s programs and partnerships, as well as providing a fun and educational visitor experience, since May 2011. She manages the Visitor Services operation at Updike Farmstead, overseeing Admissions Associates and Walking Tour Guides. She develops curriculum and teaches a wide range of education programming for schools throughout central New Jersey; in addition, she plans and teaches a menu of programs for adults and the general public at our site and in the community. Eve is also responsible for HSP’s community relations, managing all press, social media and public relations, as well as building collaborations with other non-profits and service organizations. Eve earned her BA at American University and her Certification for Teaching at the College of Saint Elizabeth; prior to joining HSP’s staff, she held positions at the Morris Museum and National Constitution Center.
Stephanie Schwartz – Curator of Collections and Research
Stephanie Schwartz is the Curator of Collections and Research at the Historical Society of Princeton. Prior to becoming Curator in 2016, Stephanie served as HSP’s Research Assistant, answering all external and in-house inquiries using the HSP collection. She now oversees all collections management and research services at HSP. She also works with staff to develop museum exhibitions and collection-based programming. Stephanie holds a BA in History and a certificate in Museum Studies from Connecticut College, and an MS in Archives Management from Simmons College. She has also worked at HBO, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, the New Jersey State Archives, and the Mercer County Library System.
Paul Davis – Grants and Research Assistant
Paul joined the staff at HSP in 2018. He is responsible for handling all research inquiries, using HSP’s collection, and assisting the Curator in implementing HSP’s Collections Management Policy. Paul previously worked as a Research Historian at the David Library of the American Revolution and served as a Research Project Manager from 2012 to 2015 at the Museum of the American Revolution. Prior to his career as a historian and researcher, Paul worked in the securities industry where he worked in Investment Operations and as a Compliance Supervisor. Paul received his BA from Dickinson College where he majored in History and Economics. He also holds Master’s Degrees from St. Joseph’s University (MBA) and Villanova University (History).
Leanne Hunter – Private Events Manager
Leanne joined the HSP staff in February 2018. She administers the private event rentals program at the Farmstead, including weddings, birthday parties, corporate, and non-profit events. Leanne also assists with HSP’s fundraising events and other programs. Leanne moved from Toronto to Princeton in 2003 with her family, where she has been active in the community volunteering for many non-profits, and auditing classes at Princeton University. Prior to working at HSP, Leanne held roles as Communications Manager at the Watershed Institute and Awards Coordinator at Princeton University Press. Before moving to Princeton, Leanne was a Broadcast Sales Representative for the Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC). Leanne received her Advertising and Marketing Communications Diploma at Centennial College in Toronto.
Heather Jahrling – Museum Interpreter
Heather joined HSP in 2022. In addition to managing museum visitors, she assists in educational programming, outreach, and curation. Heather is currently a Ph.D. candidate specializing in twentieth-century American urban and technological history at Princeton University. She graduated summa cum laude from Colby College in 2021, double majoring in History and Science, Technology and Society (STS). While at Colby, Heather served as Editor-in-Chief of the Colby Echo and interned in the Curatorial Department of the National Museum of Bermuda.
Ava Lombardo – Visitor Services Associate
Ava joined the HSP team in May of 2024. She greets and manages visitors during open hours, helps maintain the Sipprelle Unity Garden, and assists with various HSP events. Ava is currently a high school senior, a member of the National Honors Society, President of her school’s Rotary Club, and a member of the Environmental Club. She will be attending Lehigh University in the fall.
Cindy Srnka – Museum Educator
Since 2021, Cindy has contributed to the Historical Society of Princeton by developing and leading public and private walking tours that highlight the town’s cultural and historical heritage, while assisting in the development and facilitation of educational programming that engages diverse audiences. Her role bridges public engagement and strategic development, supporting the organization’s broader mission through thoughtful storytelling and inclusive initiatives.
A recent graduate and Dean’s Scholar from the University of Pennsylvania, Cindy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and History of Art. Her academic and field experience includes archaeological research through the Penn Museum—such as the Ur Digitization Project and fieldwork in Oman—as well as co-curating Heritage in Our Hands, an exhibition centered on public storytelling and cultural preservation. With over a decade of experience in interdisciplinary programming, nonprofit development, and volunteer leadership, Cindy has held key roles at Grounds For Sculpture, Whitesbog Preservation Trust, NJ School of Conservation, and Princeton University Art Museum. She has developed programming in Oman, Ecuador, and Peru that connects archaeology and the arts with local communities through creative exchange and cultural collaboration. Additionally, she supports heritage and environmental organizations through strategic consulting, focusing on archival accessibility, volunteer training, and community-based education. Her work nurtures diverse perspectives and contributes to sustainable, mission-driven impact across sectors and regions.
Kate Zidman – Museum Assistant
Starting at HSP in July 2025, Kate’s roles include greeting and managing the museum during open hours and working with all things related to programs and outreach. After obtaining a BA in Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Kate is currently working on her MA in Museum Studies at the University of Oklahoma Online program.
