Historic Preservation To Be Considered For Westminster Choir College Princeton Campus

PRINCETON, NJ — Historic designation for the Princeton campus of Rider University’s Westminster Choir College could be coming as supporters of the campus make an effort to prevent its closure, the Princeton Packet reports.

The Princeton Historic Preservation Commission will consider requesting historic designation for the campus at its Jan. 5 meeting, according to the report. The final decision on any designation would be made by Princeton Council.

The campus was established in 1934, and is known for its performances with some of the best orchestras in the world, according to the report.

Earlier this month, Rider University announced it was considering consolidating the Princeton and Lawrenceville campuses. Officials say the move is being done to avoid a possible $13.1 million deficit by 2019.

The school is in a position where it would need to increase enrollment by 114 undergraduate students by next fall, and another 46 the year after that

But there has been opposition, including from the Coalition to Save Westminster Choir College in Princeton, a change.org petition known as Keep Rider University’s Westminster Choir College Campus in Princeton Open and the Keep Westminster Choir College in Princeton Facebook group.

Historic Preservation Commission meetings are held at 4 p.m. in Meeting Room B of the Princeton Municipal Complex, 400 Witherspoon Street.