February 2010 Archives

The Mudd Manuscript Library received seven public policy accessions and 31 University Archives accessions between October and December 2009.

One of the highlights is an architectural rendering of Commencement Hall (now called Alexander Hall) that was published in American Architect and Building News on December 12, 1891. The rendering was created prior to the building’s construction, which began in 1892, in accordance with architect William A. Potter’s design.

First occupied in 1894, Alexander Hall was built to accommodate commencement exercises and other large gatherings. Today, the Romanesque-style structure is one of Princeton’s most recognizable buildings and it is home to the Richardson Auditorium concert hall.

Commencement Hall, architectural rendering, 1891, AR.2009.111.

The following is a complete list of materials that were accessioned between October and December of 2009. As always, if you would like additional information about these materials, please contact us through our general email account mudd@princeton.edu.

How Gregg Lange Connected Six Degrees of Princeton’s African-American History

Readers of the January 13, 2010, issue of the Princeton Alumni Weekly online may have noticed Gregg Lange’s article “Six degrees of Princeton’s African-American history.” In search of details for his Rally ‘Round the Cannon column, Lange ‘70 has become a regular visitor to the University Archives at the Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library, using dozens of Mudd’s collections to explore and share facets of Princeton University History. The links he has formed from those years of research, combined with keen insight, and personal connections to the parties involved helped him draw the connections that link John Maclean Jr. ‘1816 to Michelle Obama ‘1985.

Nicholas Thompson, a Senior Research Fellow of the American Strategy Program at the New America Foundation and the author of “The Hawk and the Dove: Paul Nitze, George Kennan, and the History of the Cold War,” will present a public talk titled, “The Hawk and the Dove: how Nitze and Kennan shaped the Cold War and the relevancy of their ideas today,” at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17, in Bow 016, Robertson Hall, on the Princeton University campus. A book signing and public reception will immediately follow the talk in the Bernstein gallery.

Thompson is a senior editor at Wired Magazine and an official panelist on CNN International’s “Connect the World” with Becky Anderson. He is the author of the new book, “The Hawk and the Dove” which examines the strategies of political rivals and friends Paul Nitze and George Kennan for winning the Cold War.

Thompson, the grandson of Paul Nitze, conducted much of his research in the George F. Kennan Papers held at Princeton’s Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library.