Nassau Hall
Date of Commission: 1754
Date of Occupancy: 1756
Other Dates in Building's History:
1754: The plan for the College building drawn by Dr. Shippen and Robert Smith is adopted. (TM, 22 July 1754)
1754: The College is to be built of stone. (TM, 25 Sept 1754)
1754: Cornerstone laid. (TM, Sept 1754)
1755: The name "Belcher Hall" suggested. (TM, 24 Sept 1755)
1755: Belcher declines having the college building named for him. He suggests the name "Nassau Hall", in honor of William III. (TM, 29 Sept 1755)
1755: The roof is raised on the college building. Work overseen by Robert Smith. (TM, Nov 1755)
1756: College moved to Princeton in the fall of 1756. (TM, 8 May 1756)
6 March 1802: Nassau Hall burns to the stone walls.
Architect(s): Robert Smith ; William Shippen, Jr.
Donor(s): Trustees, College of New Jersey
Other Agent(s): William Worth (builder of); Joseph Morrow (building agent of)
Materials: Stockton Sandstone
Function: Chapel; Classroom; Dormitory; Meeting Place for the Literary Societies; Museum; Offices-Administration; Recitation Room
Style: Georgian
Latrobe's Nassau Hall
Other Names: The College Edifice, North College
Date of Commission: 1802
Date of Occupancy: 1804
Other Dates in Building's History:
1802: Enos Kelsey appointed agent for rebuilding of the college. (TM, 17 Mar 1802)
1804: College undertakes to repair roof bypassing Bollman & Co. and Benjamin Latrobe. (TM, 29 Sept 1803)
1822: William Strickland repairs roof. (TM, 8 June 1822)
1823: Charles Steadman hired to put cedar roof on Nassau Hall. (TM. 24 Sept 1823)
1824: Nassau Hall reshingled. Cupola and vane repaired. (TM, 14 Apr 1824)
10 March 1855: Nassau Hall burns and, again, only the walls remain.
Architect(s): Benjamin H. Latrobe
Donor(s): Trustees, College of New Jersey
Other Agent(s): Enos Kelsey (building agent of)
Materials: Stockton Sandstone
Function: Chapel; Classroom; Dormitory; Museum; Recitation Room
Style: Federal
Notman's Nassau Hall
Date of Commission: 1855
Date of Occupancy: 1860
Other Dates in Building's History:
1855: "Mr. Notman came to Princeton, and he has given the requested estimates and also a drawing for the front of the Edifice..." (TM, 23 March 1855)
1860: "With unfeigned pleasure the Committee reports to the Board of Trustees that the work committed to their care is finished. Nassau Hall ... has not only been rebuilt, but has been enlarged and greatly improved. (TM, 27 June 1860)
Architect(s): John Notman, Philadelphia
Donor(s): Trustees, College of New Jersey
Other Agent(s): Bottom & Tiffany, Trenton (builder of)
Materials: Stockton Sandstone
Function: Dormitory; Library; Offices; Recitation Room
Style: Italianate
East Skylight Remodeling
Date of Commission: 1879
Date of Occupancy: 1879
Museum Converted to Faculty Room
Date of Commission: 1905
Date of Occupancy: 1906
Other Dates in Building's History:
1905: Demolition of brick tops of the towers at the ends of Nassau Hall. (PAW, 4 Feb 1905)
1905: Remodeling of Nassau Hall. The old museum in south wing converted to Faculty Room resembling the British House of Commons. Large windows on east and west sides of wing divided by free standing columns; rich cornice carried around the room; walls made of English oak; ceiling pierced by lunettes over each window; at south end a raised dais built for the president; entrance from hallway to be remodeled. (PAW, 4 Nov 1905)
2 Nov 1906: Formal opening of Faculty Room.
Architect(s): Raleigh C. Gildersleeve, New York City
Donor(s): Augustus S. Van Wickle, a descendent of Nathaniel FitzRandolph
East and West Towers Removed
Date of Demolition: 1943
East Skylight Removed
Date of Demolition: 1972
