One of the first American Legion posts for Black veterans in the nation — a century of history, community, and resilience. Now we are calling on you to help us rebuild, reclaim, and renew.
In 1922, the Charles W. Robinson American Legion Post 218 was chartered at 26 Lytle Street in Princeton, New Jersey — making it one of the first American Legion posts for Black veterans in the entire country.
Named for Charles W. Robinson, the first Black Princeton resident to give his life in World War I, the Post became the beating heart of the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood. During an era of segregation, when Black veterans were turned away from white institutions they had risked their lives to defend, Post 218 offered belonging, dignity, and community.
The building — a modest stick-built structure on Lytle Street — housed far more than a social club. It was the site of wedding receptions, community gatherings, youth programs, and decades of fellowship between men who had served their country and returned to fight for equality at home.
"Out of exclusion and struggle was born a Black architectural type that supported a vibrant public life."
— Calvert & Meehan, Log Journal, 2023The first Black Princeton resident to lose his life in World War I — the man our Post honors.
One of the nation's first American Legion posts for Black veterans opens on Lytle Street.
A century of service — and a renewed commitment to preserving this irreplaceable landmark.
For more than 15 years, the doors of Post 218 have been closed. The building at 26 Lytle Street stands weathered and worn — its windows boarded, its ceilings partially collapsed, its bar stools silent. A condemnation order once threatened to erase it entirely from the neighborhood it helped build.
In 2017, a small coalition of Korean War veterans, neighbors, and local historians rallied to save the building from demolition. Led by Hendricks Davis, Earle Buggs, and Charles Streater — veterans who grew up in this community — they rebuilt the porch with their own hands and launched Operation Phoenix: a mission to restore and reimagine 26 Lytle Street.
Today the building stands — but only barely. Structural damage, environmental hazards, and the passage of time without sufficient resources require urgent, professional restoration. The archive of American Legion artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia inside remains at risk with every passing season.
Princeton's Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood — the historic heart of the city's Black community — has faced over a century of displacement, rezoning, and erasure. Post 218 is one of the last intact landmarks of that history.
Town historian Shirley Satterfield, whose Heritage Tour documents 29 historical Black sites in Princeton, considers Post 218 among the most significant. Preserving it is not simply an act of nostalgia — it is an act of resistance against the forces that have long sought to erase this community's story.
The building needs you. The community needs you. Operation Phoenix needs you.
Our vision for Post 218 is not a museum frozen in time — it is a living, breathing community hub that honors the past while serving the present. Every dollar raised through Operation Phoenix goes directly toward restoring this landmark and opening its doors once again.
Full remediation of structural damage, environmental hazards, and roof repair to make the building safe and sound for generations to come.
Preservation and digitization of the Post's historical artifacts, photographs, and records — ensuring Charles Robinson's legacy and the stories of every member are never lost.
Re-establish active membership, youth programs, and community events — returning Post 218 to its role as a gathering place for veterans and neighbors alike.
Create a reading room and educational space dedicated to the history of Black veterans in America and the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood.
Redesign the entrance to be fully accessible, welcoming all members of the community regardless of ability.
Rebuild a core veteran membership and establish long-term programming to ensure Post 218 remains a pillar of the Princeton community for another century.
Post 218 is grateful for every individual and organization that stands behind our mission. Sponsors make Operation Phoenix possible — and help ensure this landmark endures for generations to come.
We are actively building our network of sponsors and community partners. This page will be updated as we welcome organizations and individuals who share our commitment to honoring Black veterans, preserving history, and strengthening the Princeton community.
If you or your organization would like to become a sponsor of American Legion Post 218 and Operation Phoenix, we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us through our Contact page to learn about partnership opportunities and how your support makes a direct impact.
Sponsor spot available.
Contact us to learn more.
Sponsor spot available.
Contact us to learn more.
Sponsor spot available.
Contact us to learn more.
Whether you're a veteran interested in joining, a community member with questions, or someone who wants to help — we want to hear from you.