To the Editor

This is to correct some information stated recently in Town Topics regarding the Institute Woods. The IAS Woods was NOT a gift to the community from the IAS, as was stated in your November 12 edition. Nor was the IAS involved in creating Princeton Battlefield Park as has been contended in some quarters.

In 1997, following litigation regarding a proposal to construct a commercial housing development next to Battlefield Park, the IAS received $14.3 million from members of the community and governmental units in return for a limited public easement to the IAS Woods. The April 15, 1997 sales agreement states:

“NOW THEREFORE, Grantor, for and in consideration of the foregoing, the sum of Fourteen Million Two Hundred Five Hundred and Seven, $14,262,597,000 Dollars, the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein …. an easement and interest in perpetuity (the Easement) ….”

Also the IAS did NOT contribute to the creation of Princeton Battlefield Park in the 1940s. In 1944, the IAS was approached by a representative of Governor Edge to participate in the creation of the park. When Governor Edge retired and Governor Driscoll took over, both Governors were frustrated by the lack of progress in getting a commitment from the IAS, particularly since the IAS and the park had mutual educational goals. At the request of Governor Driscoll, then IAS Director, Robert Oppenheimer, put the question before the Board of Trustees. The Governor then received the following reply in a letter dated April 25, 1950: “Dear Governor Driscoll, The annual meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Institute for Advanced Study was held … on April 25, 1950. … it was possible for me to present your good letter of February 10th about the Princeton Battlefield State Park, together with the enclosures. … In reaching a conclusion, the merits and value of the contribution that might be made turned out not to be the relevant point. It was the conclusion of the Board, based on legal opinion, that the Trustees were without authority to make a gift of a property for purposes so different than those intended by the founders of the Institute, and that this would be a violation of our custodial obligations.” “I wish to assure you that this action of the Board is not intended to reflect, and does not reflect an adverse opinion of the Princeton Battlefield Park. I myself regret that I must be the bearer of sad tidings …”

For your review as editor, I have attached the two documents referred to above. I would appreciate your publication of this letter in order to set the record straight and hope that future articles in Town Topics will accurately reflect the facts. The IAS Woods was NOT a gift and the IAS did NOT participate in the original formation of the park. In fact, while the Governor waited for a clear commitment from the IAS, the IAS purchased Maxwell Field, which from the beginning the Governors had wanted to be a part of the Park.

KIP CHERRY

Dempsey Avenue

Editor’s Note: The caption to which Ms. Cherry refers read in its entirety as follows: A WALK IN THE INSTITUTE WOODS: The Institute for Advanced Study’s gift to the community was in its glory last weekend. The Woods attract an unusual number of bird species, particularly during the songbird migration seasons. Described in many birding guides and hiking books, the site is enjoyed by visitors from all over the country, not to mention institute scholars aware that they may be walking in Einstein’s footsteps.”