EINSTEIN IN DOHM ALLEY: Town officials joined Princeton Einstein Museum creators for a ribbon-cutting event with magnets at the opening of “Einstein’s Attraction to Magnetism,” a pop-up exhibition in Dohm Alley at 102 Nassau Street through September 15. From left are Einstein Museum Board Treasurer Riten Patel, Princeton Plasma Physics Lab Staff Research Physicist Frances Kraus, Princeton Councilwoman Eve Niedergang, Princeton Municipal Administrator Bernie Hvozdovic Jr., Princeton Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros, property owner Stanley Dohm, and exhibit designer Jonn McCollum. (Photo courtesy of Princeton Einstein Museum)

By Donald Gilpin

“Einstein’s Attraction to Magnetism,” a summer pop-up exhibition, opened with a ribbon-cutting celebration on June 27 at Dohm Alley on Nassau Street, and it will remain open through September 15.

Created by the Princeton Einstein Museum, which is under development for a future opening, the exhibit includes four 9×4-foot banners with information about magnetism and how it is used, Princeton-area research using magnets, a life-sized Einstein selfie, and a hands-on ferrofluid playground.

The presentation starts with an image of a compass and the story of Einstein’s father giving him a compass when he was 5, which prompted his lifelong curiosity about invisible forces. The actual compass that Einstein owned is currently in the collection of the Historical Society of Princeton.

The exhibition was created by Princeton Plasma Physics Lab Staff Research Physicist Frances Kraus, quantum physicist Deborah Berebichez, exhibit designer Jonn McCollum, and museum founder Elizabeth Romanaux. It has been funded by the Richard Lounsbery Foundation.

“As we continue developing the museum, we are offering pop-up exhibits so the public can get an idea about what we will be all about, and for supporters to understand why it’s worth getting behind this exciting project,” said Romanaux, who worked in Jersey City’s Liberty Science Center for 28 years, witnessing “how hands-on science exhibits help connect people with science.”

The Einstein Museum’s 2023 exhibit, “Albert Einstein: Champion of Racial Justice,” opened at the Princeton Public Library a year ago and has been touring the state during the past year. It is at the Mercer County Library on Route 1 in Lawrence Township through the end of July.

“When I started this project I was primarily interested in Einstein as a scientist, but the more I learned, the more I realized it is important to talk about his life in Princeton and his work as a humanitarian,” said Romanaux. “I think it’s important that everyone understand his deep relationship with the Black community, for example. He’s a wonderful role model in many ways.”

Sheldon Sturges, cofounder and administrator of Princeton Future, which manages the Dohm Alley cultural space, applauded the collaboration with Romanaux and the Einstein Museum.

“Albert Einstein is a unifying part of the history of the town, and Princeton is very proud of that history,” said Sturges. “When Elizabeth came forward with the idea of having an exhibit in the alley, we were very pleased, and we hope the town will find the exhibit on magnetism interesting.”

He continued, noting that a great deal of foot traffic goes by Dohm Alley every day, “and another thing that’s very exciting is that the municipality and the government, the zoning officials, and the owner of the property have all come together supporting the project.”

Sturges added that the Arts Council of Princeton is considering a future display in Dohm Alley, and he is hopeful that other Princeton organizations will step up to sponsor exhibitions. “It may be an idea whose time has come,” he said.

As far as the Princeton Einstein Museum is concerned, Romanaux suggested an opening will take place “in a few years,” with the pop-up exhibitions to enjoy in the meantime.

“By tapping into people’s apparently unquenchable interest in Dr. Einstein, we can intrigue visitors with his contributions to science as well as lesser known aspects of his life,” she said.