A Princeton restaurateur is concerned about the impact on tourism if a proposal to use part of the Princeton Battlefield for housing moves forward.
By Raoul Momo
As a restaurateur in Princeton whose group consists of a range of farm-to-table dining experiences, I have come into contact with countless Princetonians, professors, scholars, travelers and other small-business owners, most of whom share one common trait: A love for history and heritage.
I have seen this town grow since the 1980s, and while businesses and people come and go, the town's historic resources -- namely, the Princeton Battlefield -- remain.
As many folks know, these acres were hallowed by the blood of British and American soldiers on an early morning in January 1777, when a man by the name of George Washington stood his ground against British forces on a rise still visible today -- that is, at least for now, since a good portion of that victorious counterattack is sitting under the planned construction zone for the Institute for Advanced Study's faculty housing.
What some people may not fully comprehend, however, is the ripple effect that destroying a battlefield like this one can have on the community.
Preserve - don't destroy - piece of Battlefield | Editorial
The heritage tourism industry -- encompassing noteworthy archaeological sites, buildings, museums and parks, just to name a few -- not only promotes New Jersey's numerous historical destinations, but attracts millions of visitors and generates millions more in visitor spending.
In 2012, heritage tourism generated 11 million visits, resulting in $2.8 billion in visitor spending.
In Mercer County alone, nearly 1 million people visited the area's heritage sites in 2012, including the Princeton Battlefield.
These visitors, however, do not simply drive into town, see the sites, and leave. They stay in local inns and lodging, shop at bakeries and boutiques, tour our universities and cheer on their teams -- and, of course, they dine at local restaurants, including those in the Terra Momo Group.
In 2012, the National Park Service funded the production of a report on the economic impacts of National Heritage Areas, which are Federally-designated landscapes serving to protect natural, cultural, historic, and recreational resources.
The projected economic boon of National Heritage Areas nationwide came in at $12.9 billion annually, supporting approximately 148,000 jobs and generating $1.2 billion annually in federal taxes alone.
In New Jersey, the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area, which includes the Princeton Battlefield, brings in thousands of history enthusiasts, students, academics, school groups, and other visitors.
In considering all these facts and figures, there is one crucial take-away: Battlefields mean business.
Simply stated, battlefields boost tourism, create jobs, generate tax revenue, and are an overarching asset to their communities.
As a restaurateur, I see the benefits of battlefield tourism firsthand, and will be directly affected if the Institute for Advanced Study continues on its path to mar the historic view-shed of the Princeton Battlefield by building immediately atop one of the most significant pieces of this storied battleground.
The Princeton Battlefield is a priceless national treasure, a staple for heritage tourism in the area, and cannot be relocated or debased to make way for temporary housing structures that will likely be torn down and rebuilt in eighty-years' time, if that.
Moreover, this town -- my town -- prides itself on its revolutionary past. With well-known landmarks such as the Nassau Hall and the Princeton Battle Monument, it is an utter shame that the Institute can allow such a controversy to linger regarding the very landscape that gave rise to this proud heritage.
I implore the Institute to seek a solution which preserves our town's revolutionary heritage and its iconic status as a rich and wondrous tourist destination.
Raoul Momo co-owns the Terra Momo Group.