New Einstein Exhibit To Open At Princeton Public Library On June 15

PRINCETON, NJ – The proposed Princeton Einstein Museum of Science (PEMS) has teamed up with the Witherspoon Jackson Historical and Cultural Society (WJHCS) for an exhibit detailing Albert Einstein’s relationships with residents of Princeton’s African American neighborhood, as well as with most prominent Black leaders of the mid 20th century.

The exhibit will be on view from June 15 to Aug. 1 in the second-floor reading room at the Princeton Public Library.

Titled “Albert Einstein: Champion of Racial Justice and Equality,” the exhibit will include 11 panels of text and photos.

After Aug. 1, the exhibit will move to other sites across central New Jersey for around 18 months.

“The mainstream press in the mid-twentieth century reported on nearly everything Einstein did, except for his involvement with the African American community. Our exhibit highlights this largely unknown aspect of his life in Princeton,” said WJHCS president Shirley Satterfield.

Satterfield is a lifelong resident of the Witherspoon Jackson neighborhood and a childhood acquaintance of Einstein.

PEMS president Elizabeth Romanaux said the organization was proud to collaborate with the Witherspoon Jackson Historical and Cultural Society for the exhibit.

“When it opens in 2026, ours will primarily be a science museum, but visitors will need some context about Einstein’s life in Princeton,” Romanaux said.

“They’ll find it in a small introductory museum gallery which will include information about his life here, including his friendships in the African American community.”

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