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</ref> and famous, founded in 1746 as the "College of New Jersey." It is one of the nine Colonial Colleges (founded before 1776) and one of eight members of the [[Ivy League]].

</ref> and famous, founded in 1746 as the "College of New Jersey." It is one of the nine Colonial Colleges (founded before 1776) and one of eight members of the [[Ivy League]].

Princeton was founded to train men who would become "ornaments of the State as well as the Church." It was chartered to trustees representing the New Light (evangelical) wing of the Presbyterian church, but was open to men of any denomination, and had no legal connection with the Church.<ref>[http://www.princeton.edu/pr/facts/revolution.html Princeton in the American Revolution], Princeton website: "The charter was issued to a self-perpetuating board of trustees who were acting in behalf of the evangelical or New Light wing of the Presbyterian Church, but the College had no legal or constitutional identification with that denomination. Its doors were to be open to all students, 'any different sentiments in religion notwithstanding.' The announced purpose of the founders was to train men who would become 'ornaments of the State as well as the Church.'"</ref>

Princeton was founded to train men who would become "ornaments of the State as well as the Church." It was chartered to trustees representing the New Light (evangelical) wing of the Presbyterian church, but was open to men of any denomination, and had no legal connection with the Church.<ref>[http://www.princeton.edu/pr/facts/revolution.html Princeton in the American Revolution], Princeton website: "The charter was issued to a self-perpetuating board of trustees who were acting in behalf of the evangelical or New Light wing of the Presbyterian Church, but the College had no legal or constitutional identification with that denomination. Its doors were to be open to all students, 'any different sentiments in religion notwithstanding.' The announced purpose of the founders was to train men who would become 'ornaments of the State as well as the Church.'"</ref> Many of its early leaders were also important evangelical leaders as well, such as [[Samuel Davies]].

Princeton's original building, Nassau Hall, was the first important college building in the Middle Atlantic colonies. Construction began in 1754 and it was first used in 1756.<ref name=nps>[http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/colonials-patriots/sitec24.htm Nassau Hall], National Park Service</ref> It was named in honor of King William III,<ref name=princetoniana>[http://tigernet.princeton.edu/~ptoniana/nassauhall.asp Nassua Hall], Princeton alumni association website</ref> King of England from 1689 to 1702, and a Dutch-born member of the house of Orange-Nassau. It was pressed into service in the American Revolution, changed hands several times during the [[Battle of Princeton]], and briefly served as the capital of the United States in 1783.<ref name=princetoniana/> The building, and by extension Princeton itself, are affectionately referred to by Princeton alums as "Old Nassau." ''Old Nassau'' is also the title of Princeton's [[alma mater]], written in 1859<ref>[http://tigernet.princeton.edu/~ptoniana/oldnassau2.asp Old Nassau], history and words, Princeton alumni association website.</ref> John O'Hara once observed that if Harvard men go to heaven, "Princeton men go back to Old Nassau."<ref>O'Hara, John, ''My Turn,'' Newsday, May 8, 1965, as collected in his 1966 book ''My Turn''</ref>

Princeton's original building, Nassau Hall, was the first important college building in the Middle Atlantic colonies. Construction began in 1754 and it was first used in 1756.<ref name=nps>[http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/colonials-patriots/sitec24.htm Nassau Hall], National Park Service</ref> It was named in honor of King William III,<ref name=princetoniana>[http://tigernet.princeton.edu/~ptoniana/nassauhall.asp Nassua Hall], Princeton alumni association website</ref> King of England from 1689 to 1702, and a Dutch-born member of the house of Orange-Nassau. It was pressed into service in the American Revolution, changed hands several times during the [[Battle of Princeton]], and briefly served as the capital of the United States in 1783.<ref name=princetoniana/> The building, and by extension Princeton itself, are affectionately referred to by Princeton alums as "Old Nassau." ''Old Nassau'' is also the title of Princeton's [[alma mater]], written in 1859<ref>[http://tigernet.princeton.edu/~ptoniana/oldnassau2.asp Old Nassau], history and words, Princeton alumni association website.</ref> John O'Hara once observed that if Harvard men go to heaven, "Princeton men go back to Old Nassau."<ref>O'Hara, John, ''My Turn,'' Newsday, May 8, 1965, as collected in his 1966 book ''My Turn''</ref>