Community Corner

Letter: Battlefield Society Extends Offer to IAS

Writer says the Princeton Battlefield Society and the Institute for Advanced Study are presently steering opposite courses, but it does not have to be that way.

 

Dear Editor, 

We are all sick of hearing about cliffs and whether we are going over them. I wish to point out that this is not the first cliff we have encountered as a country. 

Find out what's happening in Princetonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In the winter of 1776-77, our young country was on such a cliff facing uncertainty and danger. General Washington and the Continental Army were facing annihalation and yet in 10 days, fought and clawed their way away from that cliff of disaster. Victories at Trenton and Princeton breathed new life into a faltering cause. 

It is no wonder that they succeeded, after all, they were the men of the generation who said "give me liberty or give me death!" It should be no surprise to anyone that many citizens feel that the Princeton Battlefield now under threat of development by the Institute for Advanced Study, should be preserved in honor of this generation. To me, it is self evident. 

Find out what's happening in Princetonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

I write with a civic conscience and a vision to next year when we will celebrate our State's 350th Anniversary. When people come to New Jersey to see our History, what will they see, another housing development? 

The Princeton Battlefield Society and the Institute for Advanced Study are presently steering opposite courses, but it does not have to be that way. At Thanksgiving, I extended an invitation to the new Director of the IAS to sit down and discuss this issue. Today, I extend that invitation to any Board member of the IAS. 

J. Carney

Trustee- Princeton Battlefield Society


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here