About This Place
Nassau Hall, completed in 1756, was the sole building of the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University) for nearly half a century and the largest stone building in colonial New Jersey. It served as a dormitory, classroom, chapel, and library, housing the entire college within its walls. During the Revolution, it was occupied by both British and American forces and sustained damage during the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777.
In 1783, Nassau Hall served as the meeting place of the Continental Congress, making Princeton briefly the capital of the United States. The Congress received the news of the Treaty of Paris within its walls.
Revolutionary Significance
Nassau Hall was designed by Robert Smith and named after King William III of the House of Orange-Nassau. During the British occupation of Princeton in late 1776, the building was used as a barracks and stable, and much of its interior — including Witherspoon's library and the college's scientific instruments — was destroyed. During the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777, approximately 194 British soldiers of the 40th Regiment of Foot barricaded themselves inside Nassau Hall. American Captain Alexander Hamilton directed cannon fire at the building, and according to tradition, one shot entered through a window and destroyed a portrait of King George II. The British garrison surrendered shortly afterward.
In June 1783, the Continental Congress fled Philadelphia after a mutiny of unpaid soldiers and reconvened at Nassau Hall, where it met until November. During this period, George Washington was officially thanked by Congress for his service, and the announcement of the Treaty of Paris was received. Charles Willson Peale was commissioned to paint Washington's portrait, which now hangs in the Faculty Room.
Nassau Hall has been rebuilt and renovated multiple times following fires in 1802 and 1855, but its sandstone walls and essential form survive from the colonial era. It remains the administrative center of Princeton University.
Location
Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08544
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Events at This Location
1776
Witherspoon Signs the Declaration of IndependenceJohn Witherspoon, Richard Stockton, James Madison
1776
College of New Jersey Closes for the WarJohn Witherspoon, James Madison
1776
Capture of Richard StocktonRichard Stockton, Annis Boudinot Stockton
1776
Annis Stockton Buries Family Papers at MorvenAnnis Boudinot Stockton, Richard Stockton
1776
British Occupation of PrincetonCharles Mawhood, John Witherspoon, Thomas Olden
1776
British Damage Nassau Hall During OccupationJohn Witherspoon
1776
1777
1777
Night March from Trenton to PrincetonGeorge Washington, Hugh Mercer
1777
Battle of PrincetonGeorge Washington, Hugh Mercer, Charles Mawhood
1777
Mercer and Mawhood Clash at Clarke FarmHugh Mercer, Charles Mawhood
1777
Washington Rallies Troops at PrincetonGeorge Washington, Hugh Mercer
1777
Cannonade of Nassau HallGeorge Washington
1777
1777
Death of General Hugh MercerHugh Mercer, Benjamin Rush
1783
Witherspoon Rebuilds the College After the WarJohn Witherspoon
1783
Congress Flees Philadelphia MutinyElias Boudinot
1783
Continental Congress Meets at Nassau HallElias Boudinot, George Washington
1783
Congress Thanks Washington at PrincetonGeorge Washington, Elias Boudinot
1783
Treaty of Paris Announced at PrincetonElias Boudinot