Princeton’s Nassau Inn Inducted Into Historic Hotels Of America

PRINCETON, NJ – Nassau Inn, located in Palmer Square Princeton has been inducted into Historic Hotels of America - the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP).

NTHP conducts this program to recognize, celebrate, and promote the finest historic hotels in the United States.

Nassau Inn has been recognized for preserving and maintaining its historic integrity, architecture, and ambiance. It is among more than 300 hotels and resorts to receive this recognition.

“Historic Hotels of America is delighted to induct Nassau Inn, a colonial hotel, the current location was built in 1937, with the original dating back to 1756,” Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Vice President of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide, said in a statement. “We commend Nassau Inn, Palmer Square, and the leadership team for their careful historic preservation work, stewardship, and vision that will allow future generations of travelers to experience this unique historic destination.”

To be selected for this honor, a hotel must be at least 50 years old and have been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historic significance.

“It is both an honor and a privilege to be entrusted to carry on the legacy of our predecessors,” said Lori Rabon, Vice President Nassau Inn and Palmer Square. “The Nassau Inn is rich in history and architectural integrity.”

Nassau Inn dates back to 1756 and was the home of Judge Thomas Leonard, a future signatory of the Declaration of Independence.

Leonard moved there to spend the last years of his life in view of the college that he had helped to bring to Princeton University.

When he died in 1769, his home became a hostelry, named “College Inn” by its new owner. The first innkeeper was Christopher Beekman and he developed College Inn into a hub in Princeton.

Beekman’s taproom saw wine and debate flow freely and his wife helped tend the punchbowls. Students and townsmen gathered over food and drink to hear from guests like Paul Revere, Robert Morris, and Thomas Paine, who stayed the night more than once at the public house.

In 1775, Princeton’s Committee of Safety met at College Inn, and a few weeks later, delegates frequently stopped there overnight on their way to the first meeting of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.

Signers of the Declaration of Independence, passing through Princeton in 1776, rested at College Inn.

As the war began, military men took the place of travelers. Officers of the Continental Army, also the British and Hessians - depending upon which side was in possession of the town - spent their time in the taproom.

The Battle of Yorktown and the Treaty of Paris were celebrated at College Inn. When the Continental Congress met in Princeton in 1783, the national celebrities of the day were guests of the Inn, just a few steps from the historic session in Nassau Hall.

At the turn of the 19th century, Beekman and his wife Grace retired. John Gifford took over and changed its name to Nassau Inn, and swung a sign picturing Nassau Hall over its entrance.

The inn remained there until 1937, when it closed its doors at 52 Nassau Street and the establishment moved to a larger, more comfortable and modern hotel on Palmer Square to meet growing demand.

Despite its move to another location, the charm of Nassau Inn was kept alive.

The architect of the current Inn designed the different wings of the building to depict the progress of a successful inn from the eighteenth to the twentieth century.

The inn’s famous Yankee Doodle Tap Room is also historic. The centerpiece of the room is a 13-foot mural titled Yankee Doodle, painted by Norman Rockwell in 1937 above the grand oak bar, from which the room gets its name.

Rockwell captures in a humorous way the historical legend of Yankee Doodle, who came to town upon his pony amid the mockery from the Hessians and townsfolk but had the love and admiration of the Innkeeper’s daughter, who is visible in the window on the left side of the painting.

Norman Rockwell also painted the Yankee Doodle sign (at the entrance). Also of great interest are the names and initials carved into the solid oak tabletops, a tradition reminiscent of “Old Nass.” Amongst these carvings is Albert Einstein’s mark.