By Pam Hersh Special Writer
Today, I would like a vente coffee — Princeton Blend preferably — no room for milk, a little sugar-free vanilla syrup, plus a foamy topping of Princeton history.
The history is an ingredient available only at the Princeton Starbucks from only one barista, Warren Porter, who in addition to serving stimulating coffee drinks, is capable of dispensing invigorating Princeton historic tidbits along with the standard Starbucks “How are you … Have a great day.”
But Mr. Porter saves the bulk of his historic treats for when he clocks out of Starbucks. He exchanges his barista apron for a baseball cap and becomes a tour guide for Mimi Omiecinski’s Princeton Tour Company. He specializes in the Presidents Tour, as well as the Paul Robeson Tour, which is being launched Thursday, April 9 — Paul Robeson’s birthday.
A Vietnam veteran and retired Wall Street commodities futures and foreign exchange trader, Warren decided to perk up his retirement with Nassau Street caffeine — a part-time job at Starbucks that gives him time to enjoy his grandchildren. He added historic tours to his portfolio when he met Mimi Omiecinski, a Starbucks regular whose residence and Princeton Tour headquarters are neighbors of the Nassau Street Starbucks.
When Warren and his wife took one of the Princeton Tour Company’s bike tours, he decided to offer his services as a guide. Mimi, who needed help with one of her large corporate tours, was thrilled that Warren, a history buff, wanted to invest his time in her tours.
During his coffee breaks at Starbucks, Warren often can be spotted sitting on the bench in front of the store, book in his hand, more than likely a biography related to one of the subjects of his tours. The Presidents Tour covers not only Woodrow Wilson and Grover Cleveland, but any Princetonian and Princeton building whose existence has played a role in the development of the nation.
“For example, John Witherspoon’s involvement as a founding father is not as well publicized as some of the achievements of the other founding fathers. In addition to his own achievements, Witherspoon had a great influence on others who determined the course of the nation, such as his student James Madison,” Warren said.
In addition, those taking the Presidents Tour will learn about Aaron Burr, Morven, Nassau Hall, the Battle of Princeton, the Constitutional Congress that was held in Princeton, and even George Gallup, whose polling has become an integral part of politics, especially the presidential elections.
Warren is looking forward to celebrating Paul Robeson’s birthday by leading his first Paul Robeson Tour.
“Robeson was born in Princeton, spent his early childhood in Princeton and on occasion returned to Princeton for performances — all of which are the basis of interesting anecdotes, one being his relationship with Albert Einstein,” he said.
His research about the presidents has enabled Warren to put the current economic situation in perspective for his Starbucks customers, who are anxious about the economy.
“The word ‘unprecedented’ should be banned from the dictionary. Grover Cleveland had to handle a very serious recession — by the way, there have been 17 to 19 recessions since 1787. (Cleveland’s) had massive foreclosures, bank failures and high unemployment,” Warren said.
His tours are always apolitical, but he does tweak the Obamaniacs on his tours when he talks about President Cleveland’s view of recession. “Cleveland is quoted as saying, ‘Federal aid encourages the expectation of paternal care on the part of the government and weakens the sturdiness of our national character,’” Warren said. He makes things even spicier with a few facts about Cleveland’s resume. “He was mayor of Buffalo for one year and governor of New York for two years before coming president. Sound familiar, as in Sarah Palin?”
Originally from Newark, Warren now lives in Howell Township and commutes to his Princeton-based jobs via motorcycle, whenever the weather permits. The ride, he said, is a great way to prepare for, as well as unwind from, the hyper-active duties of a barista.
“I love my Starbucks work, love meeting all the interesting people, but it can be stressful, particularly when there are lines of people who are in a rush and really need their coffee. Also, the coffee has to live up to their expectations. The tours are more laid back. History can be open to interpretation. If you read three books on Wilson, you can get three opinions about him. But coffee is not open to interpretation — it’s either the way someone likes it or it’s not. The two jobs are very different, yet similar in one basic way— in both I am giving people something they want,” he said.
And this is as satisfying as a good cup of coffee — or a good historic biography.
On the Web: princetontourcompany.com.
A longtime resident of Princeton, Pam Hersh is vice president for government and community affairs with Princeton HealthCare System. She is a former managing editor of The Princeton Packet

