The Princeton Battlefield is a Matter of Respect, Pride and Heritage

To the Editor:

I am very distressed at the Institute for Advanced Study's plan to build faculty housing on land that includes the Princeton Battlefield. It may seem that this is a local issue to Princeton, but it is not. Historians, both local and international recognize that the Battle of Princeton was pivotal to the American Revolution. The actions of Washington at this battle added to his reputation and aided in his ability to lead the war effort. The sacrifice of the men who gave their lives was deemed heroic by their contempories. Those contempories went on to form the Republic we now enjoy.

A local issue, it is not! The Institute would make it seem so, a issue of neighbors disagreeing. The IAS has a local attorney and local architect representing them, but the Trustees of the Institute want that local impression. The Trustees are from Manhattan, D.C., Chicago, California, Florida, London, Frankfurt, Geneva, Stockholm, Cambridge, and Budaphest. I don't believe that's real local flavor.

This is a National issue. An issue of respect, pride, and heritage. It is a conflicting issue to present to today's military service by saying thank you and we will not forget, yet we forget those who gave us our origial service 235 years ago. 

The Princeton Planning Board cannot approve the IAS application, they just can't.

Joe Carney

Glenwood, NJ

Carney is a member of the Princeton Battlefield Society.