The gate was funded by a bequest of Augustus Van Wickle in honor of his great-grandfather, Nathaniel FitzRandolph, who had donated to the university the land on which Nassau Hall sits.

"[citation needed] At commencement each year the graduating seniors process out of the gates to mark the completion of their time at Princeton.

Over 230 pieces of cast metal were replaced and all new and restored parts were made of authentic wrought iron from England, using traditional blacksmithing tools and techniques.

At Woodrow Wilson's direction, the remains were re-interred under the eastern arch of the new hall and a plaque was erected to commemorate FitzRandolph.

It is inscribed with the Latin phrase: In agro jacet nostro immo suo, In our ground he sleeps, nay, rather in his own.