Princeton's Witherspoon-Jackson Neighborhood Gets Historic Designation

Princeton, NJ -- Princeton Council unanimously decided to designate the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood as an historic district Monday night, Planet Princeton reports.

The council’s 5-0 vote made the neighborhood the 20th historic district in the town, according to the report.

Some officials expressed concern over approving the designation because it mistakenly includes the African American part of the Princeton Cemetery, but decided they could amend the ordinance after it was approved, according to the report.

Some landowners also wanted their properties removed from the district, and council said that could also be handled after the ordinance was approved, according to the report.

Councilman Patrick Simon said more work needs to be done before an historic district ordinance should be approved, but voted in favor of the designation because it’s what the residents want, according to the report.

Those who argued in favor of the designation have said the history of the oldest black neighborhood in Princeton would be preserved, and the designation will help slow down gentrification, stabilize prices and slow down the development of bigger, more expensive homes in place of more affordable homes in the neighborhood.

The neighborhood was home to Princeton’s African-American community at a time when businesses, houses of worship and educational institutions were all segregated.

There are also four buildings in that section that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Paul Robeson House, the Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church, the Witherspoon School and Dorothea’s House.

The Wise Preservation first suggested historic designation to the Princeton Historic Preservation Commission in December.