Legacy of local luminaries set in stone

Since the days Joe Bolster '52 attended the University as an undergraduate, the name "Princeton" has been engraved on his heart.

A member of the varsity track team when he was a student, Bolster devoted 39 years of service to the University, serving in the Bureau of Student Aid as an associate director of admissions and the director of annual giving.

Today, Bolster's own name — along with the names of his wife, Tink, and their 14 children — will be etched in Princeton history as part of the Spirit of Princeton's 20th Century Recognition Walk in Palmer Square.

The commemorative walkway includes more than 2,200 engraved bricks — each sold for $100 — honoring community members as well as University faculty, coaches and alumni. A border of red bricks — sold for $200 each — also recognizes the names of 15 local businesses.

Spirit of Princeton co-founder and treasurer Herb Hobler '44 proposed the idea for the walkway, which is expected to be completed in late May. All proceeds will be placed in the group's endowment, which sponsors community patriotic events such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades, Fourth of July fireworks and Flag Day ceremonies.

"I think it's really great," said Ray Wadsworth, co-founder of the Spirit of Princeton committee, whose members include local officials and residents. "The people in the community have really come out and supported us. The people do care."

On a sunny afternoon, Princeton residents and visitors will be able to stroll along the path — which surrounds the Tiger statue commemorating Edgar Palmer — and see the names and messages of the diverse group of people who have has shared in building and shaping the Princeton community.

"Once all the bricks are in place, people coming to the town, I think, will be fascinated to try to find [bricks honoring] Albert Einstein, Woodrow Wilson and other such luminaries," Bolster said, adding that the walkway will also commemorate more "ordinary" townspeople. "It's not so big that you can't really absorb all of it."

Borough Mayor Marvin Reed, a Spirit of Princeton member, praised the walkway's celebration of Princeton's rich diversity.

"It's a wonderful piece of history," he said. "It's a wonderful symbol of all the different kinds of people and business owners over the years who have made Princeton such a close-knit community."

Reed also saluted Spirit of Princeton's contributions to community enrichment.

"Princeton is the only town that has an endowed [Memorial Day] parade," he said. "[The group] has a trust fund [managed by the Princeton Area Community Foundation] with sufficient money donated so income from investments funds the parade."

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Tink Bolster said she was pleased to support the walkway since she and her family — whom she lovingly refers to as "Princeton people" —have greatly benefited from their Princeton residency.

"All of our children grew up here and had the advantage of going to the Princeton schools," said Bolster, whose father was a member of the University's Class of 1916. "They [her 8 sons and 6 daughters] were all born in the Princeton hospital, they all graduated from the Princeton high school."

"It's just the association with other Princeton people," she added. "It's pleasant, a community effort, a community cause. We definitely feel like a part of the community."