Historical Society of Princeton (HSP) Announces Princeton's Taverns: On the Road to Revolution
June 03, 2026
The Historical Society of Princeton (HSP) is pleased to announce Princeton's Taverns: On the Road to Revolution is now on view in Dohm Alley, off Nassau Street. A ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Tuesday, June 2. Part of HSP's programming marking the nation's 250th anniversary, the outdoor exhibition examines the role taverns played in eighteenth-century Princeton and the ways they shaped everyday life in the community.
Installed downtown, just steps from where several historic taverns once stood, the exhibition explores how these establishments served as centers of commerce, communication, politics, and community life. Through maps, newspapers, tavern licenses, personal accounts, and other historical sources, visitors can trace Princeton's tavern culture from the colonial period through the early years of the new nation.
"We knew we wanted to explore everyday life during the Revolutionary era, and taverns offered a direct way into that story," said Stephanie Schwartz, Curator of Collections and Research. "They were among the most important community spaces in eighteenth-century Princeton—places where people heard news, attended meetings, conducted business, and connected with the wider world."
To complement the exhibition, HSP will offer a series of "Community on Tap" programs in Dohm Alley. These informal guided tours invite visitors to explore the exhibition in greater depth and learn more about the stories, sources, and research behind the project. Programs will be offered July 3 at noon and 1 pm, Aug. 7 at 5 and 6 pm, and Sept. 11 at noon and 1 pm.
"We are absolutely thrilled to extend the reach of our exhibitions directly into the heart of the community," says Elizabeth Monroe, Executive Director. "Expanding our storytelling footprint from our Museum at Updike Farmstead to the center of Princeton allows us to connect with audiences right where history actually happened."
Princeton's Taverns: On the Road to Revolution is free and open to the public in Dohm Alley, located off Nassau Street (next to Starbucks) in downtown Princeton.
The exhibition was developed by the Historical Society of Princeton, with exhibition design by Lynn Fylak of Neversink Projects. The project was made possible through the support of Charles Schwab, Nassau Inn, and Experience Princeton.