Should The ‘Welcome To Princeton’ Sign Change? Civil Rights Commission Thinks So

PRINCETON, NJ - ‘Welcome to Princeton’ signs greet visitors on every major route entering the Municipality. If one looks carefully, the sign acknowledges that Princeton was first settled in 1683.

But that is the date when the first structure was built by European settlers. The word “settled” implies that 1683 was the first and only time that people inhabited this land, according to the Civil Rights Commission (CRC). But they argue that the Lenape people inhabited the land much before the European settlers.

During the last Council meeting, Nick DiDiomizio of the CRC made a presentation and said the Commission believes the language on the signs is not “inclusive, and implicitly ignores the history of the Indigenous People that inhabited this land prior to European settlers.”

The commission suggested removing the verbiage “Settled 1683” from the signs, if it is the only verbiage on the signs that acknowledges Princeton’s history.

At the very least, the Municipality should put up historical information on new signs that should have an acknowledgment of the Historic Homeland of the Lenape People, the CRC recommended.

The new signs could include a municipal-centric timepoint, like “Consolidated in 2013” and other historical data points that relate to the major historical events or historic neighborhoods within Princeton, the CRC said.

Additionally, the Municipality could also consider long-term plans like donating time and/or money to support Indigenous organizations or commit to returning land to Indigenous people.

DiDiomizio said if the Municipality decided to change the signs, the process must include representatives of the Lenape People.

Councilmembers thanked DiDiomizio and the CRC for their work and said they supported the effort.

Councilman Leighton Newlin said he was “100 percent in support” of the presentation. “A sign that recognizes on behalf of the Municipality of Princeton, not just some of the truth but all of the truth, tells people a lot about our history and our present, but of the mindset of people who live here now,” Newlin said. “It’s a wonderful idea. It speaks of truth and the total history of Princeton.”

Councilwoman Leticia Fraga said it was time to acknowledge those who came before.

“It’s our image, it’s what we are saying to people every day who pass by,” Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros said about the signs. “I think it’s a wonderful acknowledgment if we can make these changes.”

The CRC was asked to share their research with Municipal staff so they can move forward with plans to change the signs.

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