Historical Society of Princeton

354 Quaker Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540

(609) 921-6748

princetonhistory.org
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Updike Farmstead, headquarters of the Historical Society of Princeton, sits in the Princeton Battlefield/Stony Brook Village Historic District and is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Benjamin Clarke, an early inhabitant of the Stony Brook settlement, which would later become Princeton, first owned the land as part of a 1200-acre parcel he purchased in 1696. The Farmstead is along the route followed by Continental troops on their way to engage British soldiers at the neighboring Thomas Clarke farm at Princeton Battlefield.

The original Benjamin Clarke property, which was divided up over time, remained in the hands of his descendants for over 150 years. In 1892, George Furman Updike, Sr. acquired approximately 190 acres of the original farmland and added buildings to the site, including a large barn. In 1969, the Updike family sold 184 acres of the property to the Institute for Advanced Study. Brother and sister, Stanley and Sarah Updike, continued to live on the remaining six acres until their deaths in 2002. The property was purchased by the Historical Society in 2004. Today, its six acres, surrounded by preserved farmland, consists of a late 18th/early 19th-century farmhouse, an 1892 barn, outbuildings, a restored windmill, and an organic garden. The property is one of the last surviving farms in Princeton.

At the heart of the Historical Society's service to the community are its museum and archival collections which paint a vivid picture of daily life and notable events from early settlement to the 21st-century. The archives are available to scholars, students, genealogists, architects, local business people, and the general public.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

• Celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of the citizens of Princeton by visiting the permanent exhibit, the Einstein Salon and Innovators Gallery, which provides information on renowned scientist and Princeton resident Albert Einstein as well as other pioneers from the galaxy of Princeton stars
• Engage with history and the community by participating in the Historical Society's variety of programs including walking tours, community events, lectures, and workshops
• Enjoy live music, food, and a picturesque setting at the annual summertime Concert Under the Stars
• Make a day or weekend of it by adding historic downtown Princeton, Princeton University, and the Princeton Battlefield to your itinerary - there's lots to explore!