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Welcome to the Mr. Local History Project

“A 501c3 Non-Profit Dedicated to Preserving and Promoting Jersey History with a Social Twist”

This time of year, all Jerseyans are Irish. Do you know your Jersey Irish history? Click Here

Featured Stories

Irish in New Jersey & Some Newark Pub History
Irish in New Jersey & Some Newark Pub History

The history of the Irish coming to New Jersey is a story of Ireland’s flight for survival and opportunity. The Irish migration to New Jersey is … Read More »Irish in New Jersey & Some Newark Pub History

Vintage Retro Clothing from Favorite Haunts
Vintage Retro Clothing from Favorite Haunts

We got to thinking how fun would it be to share some of the most loved businesses in northern Somerset County that have disappeared over the years. If you miss a place, let us know and we'll see what we can do.

International Women’s Day Honors Trailblazers from the Somerset Hills
International Women’s Day Honors Trailblazers from the Somerset Hills

Honoring International Women’s Day, we thought it would be an honor to research and share the stories of inspirational trailblazing women from our area… Read More »International Women’s Day Honors Trailblazers from the Somerset Hills

Coloring Contest: Bernardsville Centennial
Coloring Contest: Bernardsville Centennial

Color the Bernardsville Centennial Emblem and Enter for a Chance to Win Prizes 2024 brings the honor of celebrating the 100th anniversary of the official founding of Bernardsville,

Jerolaman’s General Store- A Bernardsville Store That Won’t Be Forgotten
Jerolaman’s General Store- A Bernardsville Store That Won’t Be Forgotten

Sometimes history creeps up on you when you least expect it. A few years ago our project wanted to honor a small multi-generational store that had been around for generations and then it was gone. Not only is the business gone, but so is the innocence that so many people cling to as part of… Read More »Jerolaman’s General Store- A Bernardsville Store That Won’t Be Forgotten

Seven Wonders of the World from Historic New Jersey
Seven Wonders of the World from Historic New Jersey

What are the seven most important historic things that New Jersey has given to the world over our illustrious history? What would rank as the seven wonders of the world that New Jersey has given. Read More »Seven Wonders of the World from Historic New Jersey

Paterson’s Awesome History
Paterson’s Awesome History

If you live in New Jersey, you can’t but help falling over history. Since the early days of the founding of our country, Paterson, New Jersey has been in the discussion. Read More »Paterson’s Awesome History

2023 Mr. Local History Project Top 25 Stories
2023 Mr. Local History Project Top 25 Stories

The Mr. Local History Project looks back at the top 25 researched stories posted for the year. This year was a funny twist as readers around the world wanted to know a few classic sayings about the cold. Were any of the #MLHTOP25 the ones you enjoyed. Take a look back and post a comment at the end of the post if you have a favorite or would like to see something researched for 2024. Number 24 story

Three Local Quizzes Test Your Localness
Three Local Quizzes Test Your Localness

Do you live in Bedminster, Bernards Township or Bernardsville and think you know your local history? If you do, we’ve got a few brain teasers for you to see just how much you know about your town’s local history. Post your score in the comments section for your chance to win a New Jersey Historic Village keepsake. Prepared by the research team at the Mr. Local History Project, the match game uses the Edunet platform to test your knowledge. Just click the image below for the quiz you’d like to take. Take all three if you’re from the area. Enjoy

Jersey’s History with Bar Room Shuffleboard
Jersey’s History with Bar Room Shuffleboard

We bring you the history and the current state the bar room shuffleboard table. A Jersey classic! Shuffleboard History Don’t get us wrong, I LOVE shuffleboard. Leveraging… Read More »Jersey’s History with Bar Room Shuffleboard

Jersey’s History Bucket List
Jersey’s History Bucket List

Wow, this story was one of our most controversial and difficult stories we’ve ever prepared. Just the thought of picking only 10 Jersey historic sites is an insane task. But I think we’re up to it. The 10 most historic things you need to see in Jersey before you kick the bucket. Gathered over the… Read More »Jersey’s History Bucket List

Sandwiches Invented in New Jersey
Sandwiches Invented in New Jersey

While watching an old episode of Man vs. Food Nation, food critic and comedian Adam Richman showed some awesome sandwiches from Jersey. Adam got us thinking, what are the sandwiches that define New Jersey? We’ve reached out to the public for their advice and we’ve hit the road to find answers across the state. Jerseyans… Read More »Sandwiches Invented in New Jersey

The Brothers’ Bridges and Their Family’s New Jersey Burger Dynasty
The Brothers’ Bridges and Their Family’s New Jersey Burger Dynasty

THIS IS A DRAFT to gather notes and share with interested parties. It is not a final publish and remains a work in progress. Introducing Louis, Abner “Al” A.L, and Webster Bridges – Once a family of farmers from Cordele, Georgia, they came north and became Jersey burger royalty. As with all Mr. Local History… Read More »The Brothers’ Bridges and Their Family’s New Jersey Burger Dynasty

The Southards of Basking Ridge and a Prodigal Son
The Southards of Basking Ridge and a Prodigal Son

PREVIEW RELEASE: MLH is still researching and will update to a final version at the conclusion of their research. We are still looking where Abraham Southard settled from around 1750 to about 1769. We feel Abraham landed near Franklin Corners about 1755. Thought is prior to 1755, he and his family might have stayed in the Raritan Bay area near Perth Amboy looking for real estate in Somerset County. We keep digging. Before we get started, we uncovered something we never knew about Samuel Southard; Basking Ridge’s own Samuel Southard was the Vice President of the United States for over… Read More »The Southards of Basking Ridge and a Prodigal Son

Retrospective: Warren’s Schwaebische Alb
Retrospective: Warren’s Schwaebische Alb

PREVIEW RELEASE: Still looking for photos of the beer garden or any photos post 1970. Also still researching the sale date to Warren Township and the final tear down date. Contact Us if you know so we can complete the post. Our retrospective begins just after prohibition after a chicken ranch was converted to Warren’s… Read More »Retrospective: Warren’s Schwaebische Alb

Retrospective: Remembering Warren Township’s EggOmat
Retrospective: Remembering Warren Township’s EggOmat

The time – 1950 – the invention – The EggOmat, an egg vending machine enclosed in a wooden shed, born on Mountain Boulevard, across from the field that’s now home to municipal ballfields in Somerset County’s Warren Township, New Jersey. But we’re not here to talk RevWar history, we’re here to look back at the… Read More »Retrospective: Remembering Warren Township’s EggOmat

The Bridgewater Copper Mines
The Bridgewater Copper Mines

It wouldn’t come as a surprise to most people that mining is the most prevalent industrial sector in Somerset County. According to mining database, “thediggings.com,” there have been 17 separate mining companies in Somerset County since the founding of our nation. Arguably, the most important of these mines towards our nation’s history is inactive. The… Read More »The Bridgewater Copper Mines

Unique Municipal Flag Honors Bernards Township’s History
Unique Municipal Flag Honors Bernards Township’s History

For the First Time in 62 Years, Fundraiser Offers Exclusive Large Bernards Township Flag Made by the Annin Flag Company, the world’s largest and most prestigious flag maker. For the first time in 62 years, an original Bernards Township flag by the Annin Flag Company is available as a fundraiser where you can share your… Read More »Unique Municipal Flag Honors Bernards Township’s History

Retrospective: The Lyons VA Medical Center
Retrospective: The Lyons VA Medical Center

The Lyons Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital Historic District, currently known as the Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, Lyons Campus, is located at 151 Knollcroft Road, approximately 2.5 miles southwest of the village of Basking Ridge in Bernards Township, New Jersey. Located in a campus setting, the Lyons VA Hospital Historic District is surrounded… Read More »Retrospective: The Lyons VA Medical Center

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Jersey History Posts

Jersey history – over 400 researched stories.
From Newark to Wildwood, and everywhere in between.
Take a look.

Vintage
Retro Clothing

MLH researched “Lost Businesses in Bernardsville & Basking Ridge” from the 1900s to the 1980s, producing over 100 designs of historic vintage clothing and SWAG.
Click Here

Jersey History Wooden Art

Preserving Jersey Icons on Wood
See the Collection


Mr. Local History Scholarship Fund

Stories, Stories, and more Stories

Researched by Mr. Local History himself, see over ten years of research put to the internet to share the history.

Mr. Local History Project Vol. 5 Issue 1

The Mr Local History 2023 Holiday Magazine

See our quarterly digital magazine for FREE. Full of local Jersey History.

Events Calendar

Signature Events, Tours, Fundraisers, and Speaking engagements.

The New Jersey Historic Wooden Collection - Mr Local History Project

The New Jersey Historic Village Wooden Collection

30 iconic local Jersey Collectibles made exclusively for the Mr. Local History Project by the world famous “Cat’s Meow Village” of Wooster, Ohio. Once they sell out, they’re usually gone forever.

Like Historic Photos?

Over the years our researchers have gathered some great historic photos. Take a look as we “Dig In the Archives”

“I love sharing stories about the history of Jersey food. If one thing people miss when they leave Jersey, it’s the food. We dig in!”

Brooks Betz aka Mr. Local History

“What is the point of being alive if you don’t know history?”

Meg Wastie – Education Team Lead

“The Mr. Local History Project covers some really unique stuff. I mean who digs into the history of Jersey Food? MLH does”

Ms. Paula Axt – Tour Guide and Education

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I join the Mr. Local History Project

The Mr. Local History Project is a 100% volunteer organization. Want to join us? No problem. There are no membership fees, and the only requirement is you support one of our efforts. Programs include education, research, guided tours, or one of our many events.. You can even start something of your own. Visit our Contact Us page and drop us a note to get involved.

Are you a historical society?

No, but we are a 501c3 registered charity non-profit meaning you can donate to the Mr. Local History Project and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Every penny goes back into our programs.

Help Preserve and Promote
Local History Together

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