Mayor of Princeton, New Jersey facts for kids

Princeton is a town in New Jersey, USA. It was first settled by Europeans in the late 1600s. For a long time, Princeton was one single area. However, in 1894, a disagreement over school taxes caused it to split into two separate parts: the Borough of Princeton and Princeton Township. Both became independent towns, each with its own mayor and government.

Then, on January 1, 2013, the two parts decided to join back together. They became one unified town again, simply called Princeton, and they operate under a borough form of government. This means they have one mayor and one town council to lead the community.

Leaders of Princeton

Early Mayors (1813–1893)

Before Princeton split into two separate areas, it had a single mayor who led the entire town. The first mayor of Princeton was Samuel Bayard, who started his term in May 1813. Many different people served as mayor during this period, helping to guide the town's growth and development for over 80 years.

Mayors Since 2013

After the Borough of Princeton and Princeton Township reunited on January 1, 2013, the town once again had a single mayor.

• Liz Lempert served as the first mayor of the reunited Princeton from January 1, 2013, until December 31, 2020.
• Mark Freda became the mayor on January 1, 2021, and is currently serving in this role.

Princeton Borough Mayors (1893–2013)

When Princeton split in 1894, the Borough of Princeton became its own independent area with its own mayors. These leaders were responsible for managing the borough's affairs until it reunited with Princeton Township in 2013.

Some of the mayors who served the Borough of Princeton include:

• James L. Briner (1893–1897)
• E. Mulford Updike (served multiple terms, including 1897–1903 and 1923–1928)
• Charles Browne (1916–1923)
• Barbara Boggs Sigmund (1984–1990)
• Marvin R. Reed (1990–2004)
• Mildred T. Trotman (2005–2011)
• Yina Moore (2011–2013), who was the last mayor of Princeton Borough before the reunification.

Princeton Township Mayors (1893–2013)

Just like the Borough, Princeton Township also had its own mayors after the split in 1894. These mayors worked to lead the township until it joined back with the Borough in 2013.

Some of the mayors who served Princeton Township include:

• Moses Taylor Pyne (1900–1911)
• B. Franklin Bunn (1940–1950)
• Kenneth Fairman (1959–1963)
• Josephine H. Hall (1977–1981)
• Phyllis L. Marchand (served multiple terms, including 1989, 1994, and 1998–2008)
• Chad Goerner (2011–2013), who was the last mayor of Princeton Township before the two parts reunited.