Help Restore Princeton Battlefield

Princeton Battlefield Then and Now

The Princeton Battlefield  is one of the most compelling and consequential sites of the American Revolution. It is where, on January 3, 1777, a beleaguered Continental Army under George Washington followed up its victory at Trenton with another surprise defeat of a British force. These two battles marked the start and end of what historians call The Ten Crucial Days Campaign, in which Washington turned around American fortunes in the war.

The battlefield today is a picturesque expanse of fields and treelines. Unfortunately, however, the site is basically in a state of disrepair. Even more, there is very little that conveys to visitors the extraordinary events that occured there or their significance. There are few signs or markers guiding a visitor around the battlefield and these are also falling apart or in need of updating.

Why Our Help Is Needed

Why is the Princeton Battlefield in the condition it is? The battlefield is actually not a federal but a state historical park and because of New Jersey state budget issues its upkeep is chronically underfunded.

There is a long tradition of private organizations and individuals supporting the preservation of public sites. Since 1971 a non-profit group, the Princeton Battlefield Society , has been responsible for helping both to preserve the battlefield and to increase public use of the park. Importantly, the Society, which is composed entirely of volunteers, depends on donations to finance its activities.

The Princeton Battlefield has been in the news lately because of a dispute between the Society and the Institute for Advanced Study over the Institute’s plan to build on the part of the historical site it owned. Fortunately the Civil War Trust got involved and agreement was reached for the Trust to purchase 15 acres from the Institute that would then be added to the official, protected battlefield.

This action saved this land from development but help is still very much needed to actually restore the battlefield and to bring to life for visitors what happened there and its significance.

Bringing History to Life

What is needed first and foremost are new and updated interpretive signage and markers throughout the site to guide visitors and to let them learn about the battle, its context and participants, and its impact on history. The idea is to provide a broad range of historical information about the site, encompassing not just the major figures and their actions but also the 

- everyday young soldiers who marched all night and  then fought in the cold and the snow
- diverse American forces that included African - American soldiers and marines
- wives who accompanied the American army and often tended the wounded
- civilians who witnessed or were effected by the battle

A major goal is to draw young people to the site and spark their interest in American history. This can be done in part by incorporating digital technologies, such as a tour app, into a visitor’s experience of the battlefield.

Specific Funding Goal and Purpose

The initial goal is to raise $10,000. These funds will be used for

- interpretive signage explaining the battle
- historical markers indicating where key events occured
- development of a free app available to visitors that guides them through the site
- removal of the existing outdated and worn out signage and markers

GoFundMe Campaign

I’m a college student and history buff who decided to start this fundraising campaign because of my own experience visiting the battlefield. I was troubled by the state of the site and decided to do what I could to improve it. I then coordinated with the Princeton Battlefield Society on efforts to restore the battlefield and especially to enhance the experience visitors to the site have. The Society now has plans for new, durable, informative, and visually appealing signs and markers and development is already underway on the app. What is needed is the funds to bring these plans to fruition and actually start to restore the battlefield to the condition it should be.

All contributions go directly to the Princeton Battlefield Society and are fully tax deductible.

Follow-on Projects

This campaign is a key first step in restoring the Princeton Battlefield. If, as hoped, it goes well, possible follow-on projects include

- development of a virtual reality tour for young (and older) visitors
- replanting the orchard that was there at the time of the battle
- repairs to the historic Clarke House, which served as a hospital after the battle