Welcome to the Mr. Local History Project
“A 501c3 Non-Profit Dedicated to Preserving and Promoting Jersey History with a Social Twist”
Did you know the Drive-In was invented in New Jersey? Start your historic journey – Click Here
Featured Stories
- Retrospective: A Jersey Ship that Never Sailed – The Flagship in UnionViews: 216 If you’ve ever driven east or west along Route 22 in Union, New Jersey there’s no way you couldn’t see it. Sitting in the center island of what is often referred to as the most dangerous highway stretch in the United States is where you’ll find the flagship, docked in the same location… Read More »Retrospective: A Jersey Ship that Never Sailed – The Flagship in Union
- Retrospective: Icons & Oddities Along Jersey’s Route 22Views: 647 As a kid sitting in the back of my parent’s 66 Chrysler Town and Country wagon going from Westfield to the Pocono Mountains, the only route available was Route 22. My brother, sister and I would often sit in the back daydreaming and as I gazed out the window my mind would wander.… Read More »Retrospective: Icons & Oddities Along Jersey’s Route 22
- Retrospective: Games We Remember our Parents PlayedViews: 126 As with all Mr. Local History retrospectives, updates are made to this post when we learn additional information. We will continue to expand this post as information becomes available and our readers suggest additions. Mr. Local History Research Team It was a Friday night and the parents saved their night out for Saturday, so… Read More »Retrospective: Games We Remember our Parents Played
- Mr. Local History 2024 Spring Magazine Vol 6. Issue 1Views: 189 Vol.6 Issue 1 – Finally the Spring rains are hopefully wrapping up and the spring brings one of the best times to be a Jersey resident. So much history is packed in our latest digital issue of the Mr. Local History online magazine. Our researchers have been busy preparing stories, prepping for events,… Read More »Mr. Local History 2024 Spring Magazine Vol 6. Issue 1
- Newark’s Branch Brook Park Has More Than Any OtherViews: 257 Every time our researchers come up with a Jersey history topic, it can come from a very simple premise. This is one of those stories. After hearing about the Cherry Blossom festival in Newark and all places, we raised our own questions. Why Branch Brook Park? There you go, and we’re off to… Read More »Newark’s Branch Brook Park Has More Than Any Other
- Garden State’s Top Historic Gardens and EstatesViews: 3,209 April 14th is National Garden Day every year, so make sure you get out there and enjoy observing nature’s beauty! While the Mr. Local History Project typically focuses on historical research, stories, and events, we figured one great tour might be how to get out there and see some of the greatest spring… Read More »Garden State’s Top Historic Gardens and Estates
- Retrospective: The Siblings of a 619-Year Oak TreeViews: 2,626 On the 7th anniversary of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, losing its 619-year-old oak tree, the Mr. Local History Project has written a story of hope, commitment, honor, history, and township pride. Yes, people, there are children of the mighty oak that Basking Ridge residents lost in 2017. As with all Mr. Local History… Read More »Retrospective: The Siblings of a 619-Year Oak Tree
- That 4.8 Earthquake was New Jersey’s Ramapo FAULTViews: 2,029 On a cool spring morning on Friday, April 5, 2024, at 10:23 am history was made as about 1/4 mile below the earth’s surface in the quiet Hunterdon County town of Tewkesbury, headlines were made as a 4.8 magnitude earthquake broke the morning silence with what was one of the strongest earthquakes hitting… Read More »That 4.8 Earthquake was New Jersey’s Ramapo FAULT
- Historic Mansion Goes to Auction (AGAIN)Views: 36,864 The Mr. Local History Project (MLHP) shared the history of this iconic property back in 2000 when the Froh Heim estate in Far Hills went up for auction. Fast forward to 2024 and we recently found out that the historic home is once again on the market. So if you like historic estates… Read More »Historic Mansion Goes to Auction (AGAIN)
- REFLECTION: Somerset County Farms, Orchards, Dairies, Stables & Historic Preservation LandmarksViews: 6,131 Note: 2024, MLHP increased the coverage to include all of Somerset County active farm stands, farmers markets, private farms, historic farms and farm preservation projects in the county. Specific farms for equestrian activity, xmas trees and other categories will be included as well. The Mr. Local History Project has begun an effort to… Read More »REFLECTION: Somerset County Farms, Orchards, Dairies, Stables & Historic Preservation Landmarks
- Remembering Lost Westfield Businesses is Fun HistoryViews: 381 Mr Local History loves history with a social twist. In fact, it’s our motto! So we got to thinking, how fun would it be to share some of the most loved Westfield, New Jersey businesses that have disappeared? We started researching, then put our artist team to work to recreate an offering of… Read More »Remembering Lost Westfield Businesses is Fun History
- Remembering Lost Jersey Businesses is Fun HistoryViews: 801 Mr Local History loves history with a social twist. In fact, it’s our motto! So we thought how fun it would be to share some of the most loved New Jersey businesses that have disappeared. We started researching and putting our artists to work to recreate an offering of vintage retro clothing and… Read More »Remembering Lost Jersey Businesses is Fun History
- The Lost New Jersey Drive InsViews: 2,643 New Jersey has a rich history of drive-in theaters, and what you maybe didn’t know is that drive-ins actually started in New Jersey. Yes, it even amazed us! We love Jersey history but we wanted to take you back to the days when you had a car, a Saturday night, and a nearby… Read More »The Lost New Jersey Drive Ins
- Irish in New Jersey & Two Newark Irish PubsViews: 1,647 The MLHP has loved researching historic places around New Jersey. The history of the Irish coming to New Jersey is a story of Ireland’s fight for survival and opportunity. The Irish migration to New Jersey is part of a broader narrative of Irish immigration to the United States, particularly during the 19th and… Read More »Irish in New Jersey & Two Newark Irish Pubs
- International Women’s Day Honors Trailblazers from the Somerset HillsViews: 12,558 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 that have made a difference. Each of these women either grew up or lived in the Somerset Hills. The Somerset Hills is the region of northern Somerset County, New… Read More »International Women’s Day Honors Trailblazers from the Somerset Hills
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
Stories, Stories, and More Stories
Researched by Mr. Local History himself, see over ten years of research on the internet to share the history.
The Mr Local History 2024 Spring 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 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
The Mr. Local History Project is a 100% volunteer organization. Want to join us? No problem. There are no membership fees, and you only need to 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.
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.
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Local History Together
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