Nassau Hall (1756-1847)
After Jonathan Dickinson’s death the college met in Newark at the home of
the Aaron Burr Sr., the College’s second President. With tireless fund-raising,
Burr was able to move the College to its present location in 1756. Nassau Hall,
which when it was constructed was the largest building in the 13 colonies, contained
a large room which could now serve as a chapel, known since its 1906 renovations
as the “Faculty Room.” Aside from its religious purpose, Nassau Hall functioned
intermittently as a base for Britain's mercenaries before General Washington routed them
early in 1777, a military hospital through 1778, and the seat of Congress
when Princeton was briefly the nation’s capital in 1783.
