George Washington's Legacy Under Siege By Bulldozers

PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- George Washington's legacy is being threatened by bulldozers, as a result of plans to build on the Princeton Battlefield.  Construction began last week. 

Battle that Saved the Revolution.  On January 3, 1777, George Washington launched the charge that decided the Battle of Princeton and saved the American Revolution.  It was the culmination of an audacious, 10-day campaign that began with the Crossing of the Delaware on Christmas Day, 1776.  His daring victory reinvigorated the cause of American Independence.

Bulldozing a National Treasure.  The Institute for Advanced Study (IAS), a world-renowned institution where Albert Einstein once taught, has begun construction on Maxwell's Field, the property where Washington's charge was launched and first struck the British lines.  IAS is insisting on building faculty housing where the most intense battle action occurred.  It is inexplicable that an institution for advanced learning would wantonly destroy such an important historical and educational treasure.

Refuses to Consider Alternatives.  Despite the extraordinary historic significance of the property, IAS refuses to consider alternatives.  The Civil War Trust, which preserves Revolutionary War battlefields through its Campaign 1776 initiative, has offered to buy the property for $4.5 million.  IAS has repeatedly refused to meet with the Trust.

Don't Take Our Word for It.  On December 13, Associated Press ran a story by Bruce Shipkowski titled "Legal battle continues over Revolutionary War battlefield."  It describes the campaign to save this hallowed battleground.  For more information, please contact Jim Campi at the Civil War Trust/Campaign 1776 at 202-367-1861 x7205 or [email protected].

AP story is available at:  http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/legal-battle-continues-revolutionary-war-battlefield-35743025.

Campaign1776 is a project of the CIVIL WAR TRUST.  Website is located at:  www.campaign1776.org

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151213/295468

SOURCE Civil War Trust; Campaign 1776