UPCOMING EVENTS
A Celebration of Good Friends
Sunday, October 25, 2026
12:00 – 2:00 PM Luncheon
Prospect House, Princeton University
Building the next chapter of the Paul Robeson House of Princeton
Great things are never accomplished alone. Paul and Eslanda Robeson’s work was sustained by a community of teachers, neighbors, artists, organizers, students, families, and friends who shared a belief in the power of collective action.
This fall, we’ll celebrate that enduring spirit at A Celebration of Good Friends, honoring the community members who are helping preserve the Robeson family’s remarkable legacy and build the next chapter of the Paul Robeson House of Princeton.
Founding & Legacy Honorees
ROOTS | FOUNDERS
Benjamin Colbert
Dr. Cecilia Hodges
Claire Jacobus
Rev. Dr. David McAlpin
Rev. David & Nancy Prince
Shirley Satterfield
Pam & Bill Wakefield
Kevin Wilkes
BRANCHES | LEGACY
Larry Alphs
Bob Hillier
Honorable State Senator Shirley Turner
Honorable State Senator Andrew Zwicker
About the guest speaker:
Priya Vulchi is the author of Good Friends: Bonds that Change Us and the World. She’s also the co-author of Tell Me Who You Are and was the co-founder of the non-profit CHOOSE, which she ran with her friend for over a decade. Vulchi was the youngest TED Resident ever, one of Teen Vogue’s 21 Under 21 Young People Changing the World, and one of Bitch Media’s fifty most influential feminists. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, TIME magazine, Scholastic, Bustle, BBC, and more. She has a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University in African American Studies along with a minor in cognitive science. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in African and African American Studies at Harvard University as a presidential scholar.
PAST EVENTS
Community Archiving: The Paul Robeson House of Princeton
Friday, August 28, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Princeton Public Library – Tech Center
Join Princeton University students in a collaborative project to organize and chronicle the history of the Paul Robeson House of Princeton.
During Welcoming Week, Princeton University students and attendees will gather in the Technology Center for a community archiving project, helping to organize and chronicle the history of The Paul Robeson House of Princeton.
There will also be an opportunity to explore writings of Rev. Drew Robeson, Paul Robeson and Eslanda Goode Robeson that still have relevance today.
Presented in partnership with the Princeton Public Library’s Public Humanities Initiative.
Celebrating Dorothy Maynor
Thursday, September 3, 2026
4:30 – 5:30 PM
Princeton Public Library – Community Room
FREE admission
Celebrate the birthday of legendary soprano Dorothy Maynor, who once called Princeton home. Learn about her remarkable life and legacy, enjoy birthday cake, and make a craft at this special event.
Join us for an intergenerational celebration honoring the birthday of acclaimed soprano and Princeton resident Dorothy Maynor. A trailblazing performer and arts educator, Maynor broke barriers on the world’s greatest concert stages and later founded the Harlem School of the Arts, leaving a lasting legacy in music and education.
The celebration begins with a brief presentation by Monica Hershberger, a music professor at Lehigh University, who is writing a book about Maynor’s extraordinary life, including her connection to Princeton. Guests can also explore a display of historic photographs and share their reflections on Maynor’s legacy.
We’ll conclude the afternoon by singing “Happy Birthday,” enjoying cake, and creating a craft to commemorate the occasion. All ages are welcome for this tribute to one of Princeton’s remarkable cultural figures.
Presented in partnership with the Princeton Public Library’s Public Humanities Initiative.
Lecture: Dorothy Maynor in Princeton and Beyond
Thursday, September 3, 2026
6:30 – 7:30 PM
Princeton Public Library – Community Room
FREE admission
Musicologist Monica Hershberger presents a lecture on the research for her second book, a biography of Dorothy Maynor, an African American soprano and the founder of Harlem School of the Arts.
About the Speaker:
Monica Hershberger is associate professor in the department of music at Lehigh University. Her research centers on the history of opera and musical theatre in the United States and she is especially interested in examining the work of singers. She is currently writing my second book, a biography of Dorothy Maynor (1910–1996), an African American soprano and the founder of Harlem School of the Arts.
Presented in partnership with the Princeton Public Library’s Public Humanities Initiative.
Open House
Saturday, July 4, 2026
10:00 AM – Noon
The Paul Robeson House of Princeton
110 Witherspoon Street
Princeton, NJ 08542
Take a guided mini tour with Board President Ben Colbert and Kevin Wilkes of Princeton Design Guild.
This is a unique opportunity to see the remarkable progress firsthand, learn about the ongoing restoration, and discover the legacy of Paul Robeson in the very home where his story began.
First Anniversary of Robeson Day in New Jersey
Easter Sunrise & Service
Sunday, April 5, 2026
6:15 AM
Starts at the Princeton Cemetery
Join us for Easter Sunrise Service at the Princeton Cemetery with the Nassau Presbyterian Church and the Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church.
Directly after the service, the Paul Robeson House of Princeton will be hosting a breakfast at Witherspoon Church’s Fellowship Hall.
Paul Robeson’s Birthday
Thursday, April 9, 2026
10:00 AM
Starts at the Arts Council of Princeton
Wreath laying starts at the Arts Council of Princeton, followed by a tour of the Witherspoon-Jackson sites.
Announcement of Robeson Scholars & Fellows Class VI
Thursday, April 9, 2026
6:00 PM on Zoom
Community Multimedia Celebration
Saturday, April 11, 2026
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Arts Council of Princeton
Featuring remarks and artistic tributes highlighting Robeson’s impact on the arts.
The Jefferson Paradox with Annette Gordon-Reed
Sunday, April 26, 2026
3:00 PM
Nassau Presbyterian Church
Screening: Raising Aniya
Sunday, March 29, 2026
1:15 PM
Princeton Public Library – Community Room
Aniya Wingate is a young dance artist in Houston, Texas, who embarks on a journey to heal her spirit and find her voice after being displaced by a hurricane. With guidance from her mentor, Walter Hull, Aniya investigates impacted communities on the Gulf Coast and develops a dance performance inspired by her experiences and the complex legacies of environmental injustice. Family, religion, sexuality, and mental health collide as she strives to transform dark histories into beautiful expression and movement. Through intimate observational cinematography, evocative dance sequences, and a haunting score, Aniya’s story traces the agony and the ecstasy of growing up, while revealing the power of art and community.
Screening will be followed by short panel discussion and activity moderated by Dr. Joy Barnes Johnson of the Paul Robeson House of Princeton.
Panelists include: Brigitte Jean-Louis of the YWCA of Princeton., Tomia MacQueen of Wildflower Farm and Paul Robeson House of Princeton Fellow, Ariyah Lamin.
Annual MLK Day of Service Teach-In
Monday, January 19, 2026
9:00 AM – Noon
Nassau Presbyterian Church
Join the Paul Robeson House of Princeton, invited guests and dignitaries, Alpha Phil Alpha, and Youth Service Learning for a morning of reflection and community at the 4th Annual MLK Day of Service Teach-In. Designed especially for educators across grade levels and disciplines, this public program brings together guest speakers and interactive small-group conversations to explore the intersecting histories and legacies of the Robeson family and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
For me, it is not the house, but what it represents. The Robeson House, like the Witherspoon Jackson neighborhood it anchors, is rooted in history but not locked in the past. The house stands proud and represents a future in which social justice issues are debated, programs developed, and community resources rallied to breathe life into the philosophy and legacy of Paul Robeson, a brave American patriot who used his many talents to fight for the rights and respect of all people worldwide.