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This Week in Princeton History for February 27-March 5


In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, Colonial Club’s financial pressures force its closure, women march on Washington, and more.

February 28, 1946—Princeton University announces that women will live in student housing on campus for the first time, opening Brown Hall to married veterans after providing only single-gender accommodations at the institution for 200 years.

Couples arriving at Brown Hall, 1946. Historical Photograph Collection, Campus Life Series (AC112), Box MP166, Image No. 6055.

March 2, 1982—Facing intense financial pressures, the Graduate Board of Colonial Club stuns current undergraduate members with the news that they will be forced to close the doors forever in the fall of 1982. However, a successful student-led fundraising campaign will ultimately keep the club open.

Colonial Club, undated. Historical Photographs Collection, Grounds and Buildings Series (AC111), Box AD02, Image No. 7791.

March 3, 1913—Thousands of women march on Washington “in a spirit of protest” the day before the inauguration of president-elect Woodrow Wilson (Class of 1879) to urge him to support female suffrage.

Editorial cartoon depicting sufragettes (geese) waking up Woodrow Wilson and William Jennings Bryan, who are sleeping in front of the Senate (1914). Political Cartoon Collection (MC180), Box 10.

March 4, 1769—A small fire breaks out in Nassau Hall at about 3:00 PM, but students and nearby residents manage to extinguish it before it causes much damage. The Pennsylvania Chronicle reports: “It did not appear to have been owing to the Heedlessness of any Person whatever.”

For last week’s installment in this series, click here.

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