A Hundred Years After 'Miracle Year,' Princetonians Urged to 'Think Einstein'

Matthew Hersh

With world class institutions like Princeton University and the Institute for Advanced Study, many Princeton residents have taken pride in the community's collective brain power. But, in a year celebrating Albert Einstein's landmark theory that changed the way we approach the physical world, Princetonians are being asked to step up to a more daunting challenge: we're being asked to think like Einstein.

In honor of the special relationship that Einstein had with the community, several Princeton-based educational and cultural institutions have come together to create "Think Einstein," a series of events celebrating the 100th anniversary of Einstein's "miracle year" in which the Theory of Relativity and other landmark papers were published. Both Princeton Borough and Princeton Township have officially declared 2005 to be "Think Einstein" year.

The year-long celebration will present a range of events, including scholarly lectures, discussions, exhibits, films, book talks, and school and family programs, all organized under the leadership of the Historical Society of Princeton. Program partners include the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton Public Library, Princeton Regional Schools, the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Arts Council of Princeton, and Princeton University, including Cotsen Children's Library and the U Store. More are expected to join the celebration.

Maureen Smyth, curator of the Historical Society and coordinator of the celebration, said that interest in the effort has encouraged community-wide organizations to come up with their own programs honoring the physicist. "Community organizations throughout town have mobilized to present a varied program of events worthy of the legacy of Albert Einstein." she said. "He continues to hold a special place in Princeton memory."

Einstein's connection to the community began in 1921, when he received an honorary degree from Princeton University, in recognition of his world-renowned Theory of Relativity. In 1933, fleeing Nazi power, Einstein moved to Princeton to take up one of the first faculty appointments at the newly founded Institute for Advanced Study. Einstein resided at 112 Mercer Street, today a private residence. The Historical Society of Princeton maintains the Einstein Furniture Collection, a gift from the Institute for Advanced Study.

While devoting the majority of his time to scientific work, Einstein was also known for his leisure activities. He could be found sailing on Lake Carnegie, and he was known for his deep interest in music, especially the work of Mozart. Many Princeton residents have fond memories of spotting the famous physicist, lost in thought, walking to and from his office at the Institute for Advanced Study. He remained in Princeton until his death in 1955.

This year, Princeton's first public memorial will be installed at Princeton Borough Hall on April 18th.

To learn more about the "Think Einstein" program and about Einstein in Princeton, visit the http://www.princetonhistory.org. To access the "Think Einstein" calendar of events, visit http://www.visitprinceton.org, the newly-launched Web site of the Princeton Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau.