ROOTED HERE
The history of Princeton
Independent shops, old neighborhoods and cultural stops meet around Princeton's compact center.
People who shaped Princeton
These milestones are an introduction, not a complete local history. Follow the linked city and museum sources to explore the people and places behind them.Read the local historical account.
Watch the city’s history
FROM THE ARCHIVES
History at Nassau Hall, Princeton NJ
A local history film shared by Metro Trails.
Watch on YouTube ↗Princeton in old photos
See all 14 old photos
Famous people born in Princeton
See all 48 famous people
- 1683
An early European homestead
Henry Greenland built what the municipality identifies as the first European house within today's Princeton boundaries.
Municipality of Princeton ↗ - 1724
The Princeton name appears
The name Princeton first appeared in the local historical record.
Municipality of Princeton ↗ - 1756
The college moves to Princeton
The College of New Jersey, now Princeton University, moved to Princeton.
Municipality of Princeton ↗ - 1813
Princeton Borough is created
The Borough of Princeton was created as a distinct municipality.
Municipality of Princeton ↗ - 2013
One municipality
Princeton Borough and Princeton Township consolidated into today's unified municipality.
Municipality of Princeton ↗
See the history for yourself.
Walk the Princeton Historic District along Nassau Street, the business district facing the university’s 1756 Nassau Hall. Check current opening hours before visiting the Princeton University Art Museum.
For deeper research, the Princeton library resources is a starting point for archival material and research help. Historic photographs have their own permissions; we link to the collection instead of treating every old image as free to reuse.
Selected milestones researched September 13, 2026. This is an introduction, not a complete account of the city’s history.