Princeton Packet

November 12, 1969

Pre-Dawn Sunday Flames Gut Whit Hall On Campus

Historic Whig Hall, constructed in 1893 and considered by many to be the most beautiful building on the Princeton University campus. received extensive damage in a three-alarm blaze early Sunday morning.

The fire, discovered by a proctor. destroyed most of the plush interior of the Greek-styled pillared building located behind Nassau Hall. The marble frame remained largely intact.

A number of irreplaceable paintings were lost in the fire, as well as some costly furnishings…The fire apparently originated in a couch on the first floor, spreading through air spaces between the wooden walls and floors.