The Alumni Council, in addition to its many activities expanding the scope of today's Princeton, has actively joined with the University Archives to document, preserve and accentuate the unique history of Princeton. The vehicle for this activity is the Princetoniana Committee , a group widely diverse in age and background, comprising both volunteer alumni and University staff.

  We actively support a broad range of projects focused on assuring the stewardship of Princeton's history, and promoting its active use in support of the continuing changes and challenges faced by a world leader in higher education. In the few years since 1996, Princeton has celebrated its 250th Anniversary, the Centennial of the Graduate School and the 175th Anniversary of the Alumni Association. The times, travails and individuals-- household names such as James Madison '1771 and Woodrow Wilson '1879, unsung heroes such as Jonathan Belcher h'1748 hc'1970 and John Maclean '1816-- which gave rise to these institutions can serve us well in the 21st Century, but we need to be able to hear their voices and feel their resolve in order for that to happen.

  In the 20th century, that fundamental insight was the great gift given us by the late Fred Fox '39 , the first Keeper of Princetoniana and our continuing inspiration. He believed in tradition in the service of the Princeton community, as a powerful force for renewal and further development. Whether capturing our songs and symbols, our teachers and texts, our alumni and artistry, our bickering and bonding, or our walkways and websites, Princetoniana serves to turn Santayana on his head: those who understand the past are empowered to improve upon it.

Start by cruising through some of the links on this page and think about your own Princeton experience, and enjoy. And then think about joining the world's only Princetoniana Committee as we plunge forward into the past.

Get in touch with our Chair, Gregg Lange '70 to find out what new things we're up to in preparation for the 22nd century.

Still we'll banish care and sadness as we turn our mem'ries back And recall those days of gladness 'neath the Orange and the Black

-- Clarence B. Mitchell '1889