Several people have asked me about the status of Volume II of “Bartel’s History of Princeton.” Unfortunately, I won’t have it ready for Christmas 2025 as I had intended.
Volume II will cover 1940-1990. I had intended to go to 2000, but I have found the newspaper to be too unreliable and too inconsistent in its local coverage after eliminating the local editor and local general manager positions in the 1980s.
I have first drafts completed of 50 chapters covering 1940-1970. I have outlines for an additional 15 chapters covering 1970-1990. But I still need to organize my notes for those years, write those chapters, get the entire book to a copy editor, gather photos, lay it out and get it to a printer.
When I published “In Search of St. Marie” a year ago, I said I would publish Volume II in December 2025. I apologize. I felt confident about saying that because I had completed the 1940s chapters by that point. Unfortunately, I went into a funk for most of 2025 – a form of writer’s block, if you will – and did absolutely nothing related to local history for several months. It felt too much like work or a job rather than a fun hobby. I ignored the remodeling work underway on some of our most historic buildings in the 500 block of Water Street. I missed the cemetery walk and the museum expansion. I stopped “working.”
I finally got back on track this fall and have made good progress over the last couple of months. I can’t say for sure when Volume II will be ready. I will be laid up for about six weeks following minor surgery this winter, which should help me finish those final fifteen chapters by spring.
I will keep you posted on my progress and am always happy to answer questions. Thank you.
PS: The photo with this post will be on the cover of Volume II.