Ivy Gothic

Source: gettyimages

Arguably one of the most inspiring features of Princeton University’s history, image and tradition remains its unique and eccentric architectural statements, evident in its buildings, landscapes and grounds.

Until the end of the 19th Century, the architecture of the school, then called The College of New Jersey, displayed little in the way of thematic consistency. Later, with new funding for remodeling came bold attempts at utilizing classic forms for the representation of wisdom and architectural unity in their imposing structures.

The first of these new buildings were Blair Hall and Little Hall, designed by a Philadelphia firm, Cope and Stewardson. They set into motion the gothic trend that continued with the construction of all subsequent buildings on Princeton’s 500-acre campus, including the Firestone Library.

Source: fineartamerica

Gargoyles, dragons and dinosaurs are some of the trademarks that haunt the hallowed walls and spires of Princeton in styles that are classified as that of modernism, rationalism and deconstructivism.

So next time you’re passing through Nassau Street, step in for a campus stroll and feast your eyes. The marvels within just might provide you with some classic inspiration.

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Christopher Robinson

Falls Without Flaws

Situated unexpectedly within one of New Jersey’s most urban and industrial settings, the Great Falls of the Passaic River or Paterson’s Great Falls or, more colloquially, the Paterson Falls are an historic and unique landmark to visit and appreciate.

Designated as a National Historic Landmark District, the Falls are 77 feet high, one of the largest in the nation and the second-largest east of the Mississippi.

Like the Delaware Water Gap, the Falls were the site of Dutch settlements in the 17th Century, in addition to those of the Leni Lenape Indians.

The engineering of canals from the Falls to power water mills in the town of Paterson was conceived and overseen by founding father and Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton.

Later a wooden dam was installed in the employment of a paper mill. Today it boasts a hydroelectric plant generating electricity from the Fall’s flowing waters. As a testament to such aesthetic and technical marvels, over a hundred-thousand tourists visit the Great Falls of Paterson every year.

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Christopher Robinson