In eighteenth-century Princeton, taverns were more than places to eat, drink, and spend the night. They were the commercial, social, and civic centers of the town—places where business was conducted, information circulated, and people came together. College trustees met there, creditors settled accounts, and professional societies convened. During the years surrounding the American Revolution, government officials and military officers gathered within their rooms.
Located in Dohm Alley off Nassau Street, Princeton’s Taverns: On the Road to Revolution explores the role these establishments played in Princeton’s history. Princeton’s location along the King’s Highway between New York and Philadelphia made it a regular stopping point for travelers, and its taverns grew to meet that demand. Through maps, newspapers, tavern licenses, personal accounts, and other materials, the exhibition traces tavern culture from the colonial period through the early years of the new nation, revealing how these gathering places shaped everyday life in Princeton.
Exhibition Team
Stephanie Schwartz, Curator of Collections and Research
Lynn Fylak, Neversink Projects, Exhibition Designer
Cindy Srnka, Curatorial Assistance
Sarah Buckman, Exhibition Intern
Leigh Visual Imaging, Fabrication and Installation
Special Thanks
William L. Kidder, Robin Lapidus, Shelia Nall, and Charlie Yedlin
Sponsors
Exhibition Sponsors
Revolutionary Trail Sponsor
