Do you know which building on campus was the first to be named for a woman?
Why did the College of New Jersey (ultimately Princeton University) move to Princeton from Newark?
Where was Picasso’s first home for “Head of a Woman,” and when did it move?
“Postcards to Alumni” is a collection of monthly digital postcards featuring unique facts about Princeton’s history. The postcards were introduced in December 2022 by the Alumni Council’s Princetoniana and Communications and Technology (CAT) Committees who collaborated on the project.
February’s postcard about the “McCarter Theatre” was just released:
“Established in 1893, the Triangle Club, formerly the Princeton College Dramatic Association, needed space to practice and perform. Booth Tarkington ’1893 raised $13,000 in 1895 to build the “Casino” for rehearsals and performances. In 1924, the building was destroyed by fire. In June 1927, Thomas N. McCarter ’1888 donated $250,000, Triangle contributed $100,000, additional funds were raised totaling $450,000, the University donated the land, and the McCarter Theatre was constructed. It was agreed that Triangle would operate the building. On Feb. 22, 1930, the 1,100 seat McCarter Theatre was dedicated; on the prior evening, Triangle staged its first performance, “The Golden Dog.” After World War II, Triangle became increasingly in debt. In 1953, the University agreed to operate McCarter, retaining Triangle’s access for rehearsals and productions and transforming it to a performing arts center housing a residential professional theater — the first on a U.S. campus. Eventually its operation was transferred to the nonprofit McCarter Theatre Company. Two lobbies were added in 1991, the 360-seat Roger S. Berlind ’52 Theatre was added in 2003 and the entire complex was named the McCarter Theatre Center. Today, Triangle Club continues to perform in the original McCarter Theatre space, now renamed Matthews Theatre.”
The postcards are being shared monthly with alumni around the globe via numerous digital channels.
“Our work as a committee is not only about collecting and archiving history, memorabilia and traditions but also how to share it and engage alumni,” said Jean Hendry *80, former chair of the Princetoniana committee, who is leading this initiative. “We brainstormed projects that would enable us to connect with alumni on a regular basis. At the same time, we didn’t want a project that caused alumni to have to do anything other than feel a connection to the University. ‘Postcards’ seemed to fit the bill.”
To research and collect the facts, Hendry tapped the Princetoniana committee. While Princetoniana members are experts in Princeton history and traditions, they leaned on the CAT Committee’s expertise in technology to help design the digital postcards. Credit for the initial postcard design belongs to CAT Committee member Cindy Drakeman ’02 who sourced images, conceived the nostalgic postcard look and “stamp” designs, suggested using “Dispatch” on the postcard to lend a nostalgic feel, and created many of the postcards. Credit goes to Princetoniana committee member Tom Swift ’76 for designing the initial postcard.
“We were so happy when Princetoniana approached us with the postcard idea,” said Michael Lin ’13, former vice chair of the CAT Committee. “The pandemic brought on an increase and a need for digital communication and initiatives, and this is a great one, much like Orange & Black Day that our committee helped introduce last year. ‘Postcards’ provides yet another opportunity to engage with alumni across the world and share the love of Princeton, while also bringing awareness to the great resource of Princetoniana and its museum.”
“Postcards to Alumni” will appear as a monthly feature in Tiger News and on @PrincetonAlumni social media channels. The postcards will also be archived in the Princetoniana virtual museum.
