Palmer Square facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Palmer Square
Public Square
Features:	Palmer Square Post Office, Nassau Inn
Construction:	1936–1939
Opening date:	1939
Amenities:	Shopping, dining, hotel, post office
Area:	1/2 acre (main green), 10 acres (entire complex)
Manager:	Palmer Square Management LLC
Location:	Princeton, New Jersey

Palmer Square is a lively public area in the heart of Princeton, New Jersey. It sits right across from Nassau Street and Princeton University. Today, it's a popular spot with many shops, restaurants, offices, and homes.

The Story of Palmer Square

Baker's Alley looking south toward Nassau Street around 1925. This area was an historic African-American neighborhood before Palmer Square was built.

Palmer Square was built between 1936 and 1939. It was created by Edgar Palmer, who came from a wealthy family. He wanted to build a special place that would complement Princeton University. The architect, Thomas Stapleton, designed it in the Colonial Revival style.

To make space for the Square, Baker Street was removed in 1929. The houses there, which were part of an old African-American neighborhood in Princeton, were carefully moved to Birch Avenue. Building the Square was delayed until 1936 because of the Great Depression.

The Nassau Inn is a main part of Palmer Square. It used to be right on Nassau Street. A small park is in front of the Inn, where the town's Christmas tree is placed each year. Between the park and Nassau Street, you can find a smaller square with a bronze statue of a tiger.

Thomas Stapleton used ideas from different places when designing the Square. He took inspiration from old Newport, Philadelphia, Annapolis, and Williamstown. The overall layout of Palmer Square is like a smaller version of Rockefeller Center.

Edgar Palmer hoped to create jobs during the Depression. He also wanted a downtown area that had everything: shops, homes, and offices. His plans included a movie theater, the Princeton Post Office, and even a Borough Hall, though the Borough Hall was never built.

Over 75 years, Palmer Square has grown. New parts have been added about every ten years since the 1930s.

The Old Post Office Building

Palmer Square Post Office
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Location	20 Palmer Square E, Princeton, NJ
Built	1937 (1937)
Part of	Princeton Historic District (ID75001143)
Designated CP	27 June 1975

The mural Columbia under the Palm, by Karl Free (1939)

The post office is a very important building in Palmer Square. It was built during the New Deal era. It is famous for its mural called Columbia under the Palm, painted by Karl Free in 1939. This mural was created for a special government art program.

The mural shows European settlers sharing knowledge with Native Americans. Some people have discussed how this depiction of history is shown in the mural. The words written with the mural say:

America! with Peace and Freedom blest,
Science invites, urged by the Voice divine,
Pant for true Fame and scorn inglorious rest,
Exert thyself till every Art be thine.

As Princeton grew, a new main post office opened in West Windsor, New Jersey. The Palmer Square post office building was put up for sale in 1997. The Postal Service wanted a smaller space. In 2013, the building was finally sold. A new, smaller post office is now located nearby on Nassau Street.

What Palmer Square is Like Today

New Palmer Square residential component

Today, Palmer Square is the main place for dining and shopping in downtown Princeton. Fun events happen all year long on The Green, which is a grassy area.

New homes have been built in Palmer Square, completing Edgar Palmer's original idea. These homes are located on Paul Robeson Place. They include single-level apartments and multi-story townhomes. The architects designed them to match the old Colonial Revival style of the original buildings. These homes are very close to the shops and attractions of Palmer Square.

One Palmer Square is a large office building. It is home to businesses like J. Crew and PNC Bank. The plaza in front of this building is the main bus stop downtown. It also has a sculpture by Seward Johnson.

Shops and Places to Eat

Palmer Square has many different stores and restaurants. Here are some of them:

• J. Crew
• Brooks Brothers
• Ralph Lauren
• Barbour
• Kate Spade
• Club Monaco
• Design Within Reach
• Urban Outfitters
• Lululemon
• Ann Taylor
• Lindt
• Talbots
• Bluemercury
• The Princeton Corkscrew Wine Shop
• The Bent Spoon
• Homestead Princeton