“Yes, I think they should be able to build, as long as it’s not on the battlefield. They should be allowed to build more housing close to the Institute.” —Tessa Thieme, Princeton
“If the buildings fit into the landscape and are somewhat separated from the battlefield, why not? I like the Institute and that it does offer housing. Why not build if they can keep the appeal of the battlefield?” —Sierk Poetting, Princeton
“If you can see the buildings from the road and they detract from the battlefield, I don’t think that they should build.” —Matt Trowbridge, Pennington
“Do they really have to?” —Roger Crevier, Princeton
“I think it’s a bad idea; the park is too important in American history. The most important part of the battle was the counterattack that took place precisely on the spot where the Institute wants to build housing.”
—Dan Thompson, Princeton
“I feel uncomfortable with housing next to the battlefield, as it’s a historical site and building could have some future effect on the battlefield.” —Rick Snyder, Highland Park
I think folks should understand that the problem with the housing is not that it would look bad so near the park. The site of the housing is actually ON a piece of ground not within park boundaries and it was on that piece of ground that the British made their last, organized stand against Washington’s decisive counter attack. If you build on those few acres, you lose the context within which that critical battle in American History was fought. The park needn’t expand inexorably, but that small piece is critical. It would be a shame to lose it.
Rich Patterson
Executive Director
Old Barracks Museum
Trenton
These people are all correct! If the Institute can build with out destroying the battlefield, they should. Problem is, they can’t!
The first bulldozer destroys the battlefield forever. The trade off for faculty housing is too high. The IAS has other land, let them use it.
the fact remains- the Battlefield State Park is separate form the IAS land. However the historic battlefield is contiguous and spreads from the park grounds directly onto the IAS land. The land has not been developed for 235 years and it would seem ridiculous to build on it now. ANy action to build would be dismissive of historic accounts that put the battle on the IAs lands and the recent conclusive evidence that details the battle on the IAs lands.
Time to reconsider your option IAS.
Regards
Brian