Jersey is all we do. We make each of these collectibles to promote New Jersey history, as our motto states: “History with a Social Twist.” Whether it’s our Wear Local History collection, flags, wooden keepsakes, or other items, the goal is to get history in your hands so you can share it. BE PROUD JERSEY!
All proceeds support the preservation and promotion of local history through our educational initiatives, research, and community gatherings. As we’re a registered IRS 501c3 non-profit charity, we also love tax-deductible donations, so our gift shop helps us not ask as much 🙂
All our items are only available here! Our store is open 24/7 and ships right to your door. Browse our real-time inventory, click on your cart, and check out using our safe and secure process. We accept all forms of payment and typically ship within one to two business days.
Over 275 iconic lost businesses in New Jersey. In 2024, we launched our new “Wear Local History Collection.” These are recreations of ads, logos, and places that we’ve lost in New Jersey over the years. Collections include lost icons in areas such as Route 22, Westfield, Cranford, Bernardsville/Basking Ridge, Paterson, and Lost Restaurants, with more added every week. Stickers, magnets, shirts, backpacks, and art are all available for immediate delivery! Check it out. Remember, all proceeds support our educational programs.
Exclusive Reseller: The New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Collection How do I Get One of These Historic Limited Edition Keepsakes?
The easiest way to get one is to order online via Etsy or Red Bubble. Our online store accepts multiple forms of payment, including credit/debit cards and PayPal. Orders are now being taken online. The collection is the ultimate local personal gift. It’s great for those moving into the area or for those who’ve left the area. It also makes great gifts for those who just like to cherish the fond memories of the area.
Iconic New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Keepsakes
Mr. Local History’s New Jersey Cat’s Meow Keepsake collection has grown over the years and is now the most extensive collection available in New Jersey. Each site or event is a unique piece of art on the front with the history on the back. Once they’re gone, they’re gone! They also make a great gift to a collector. Always look for the “black cat” to ensure you have an official Cat’s Meow village piece—a true original.
The New Jersey Historic Village Collection aims to promote local history throughout New Jersey. The Cat’s Meow is one of the world’s most iconic collectible series. Mr. Local History started back in 2018.
Current Trending Nominations
With ongoing discussions and surveys with collectors and Jersey history fans, here’s what the community is endorsing to be added to the New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Collection:
High Point State Park Monument – High Point, New Jersey
Bernards Inn – Bernardsville, New Jersey
Asbury Park Convention Center, Asbury Park, New Jersey
Somerset Courthouse – Somerville, New Jersey
Rutt’s Hut Hot Dogs – “Home of the Ripper” – Clifton, New Jersey
The Red Mill – Clinton, New Jersey
Factors for selection into the NJ collection include the age of the event or property, its connection to the existing collection, local interest, and voting (where applicable). If you’d like to nominate an event or property, feel free to post a comment in the comments section, and the committee will consider your recommendation.
Historic Organizations – Want to be considered to be in the New Jersey Historic Keepsake Village Collection?
Do you know of a worthy historical addition to the New Jersey Historic Village Collection? Please email us as we love working with organizations to create a keepsake to be nominated to the New Jersey Historic Village Collection. We offer a great program where you can create your keepsake with our inventory for as little as $400.
People LOVE the Black Cat in Every Collectible
Many people collect other village pieces and build a collection of villages. The creations are part of the historic Cat’s Meow Village Collection, which has produced iconic wood ornaments for over 40 years.
History of the Cat’s Meow Village of Wooster, Ohio
Local organizations and businesses will produce limited batches of selected New Jersey Historic Wooden Keepsake Village collectibles. All collectibles will be available online via the Mr. Local History Gift Shop.
New Jersey Historic Village Collection Partner – The Cat’s Meow Village Company of Wooster, Ohio
The Cat’s Meow Village is a small American company founded in Wooster, Ohio, in 1982. It started with one simple wooden house, Faline cut out on her grandfather’s saw in the loft of the hog barn. Thirty-five years later, Jones and her crew continue to craft “little wooden buildings” of local, national, and international landmarks that spark memories and kindle smiles on the faces of “real-life adventurers” like you.
Views: 935 Over the last five years, we’ve been slowly growing the New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Collection. It began with our first collectible, the Brick Academy in Basking Ridge,… Read More »Discounted Starter Bundles – New Jersey Cat’s Meow Keepsakes
Views: 805 Honoring Two Stories – Two Men – Two Estates A key mission statement of the Mr. Local History project is to find new ways to “Share History with… Read More »Gilded Age New Jersey Mansions Honored for Their Historic…
Views: 2,087 Olcott School Keepsake Official Launch Party: Wednesday, December 11, 2024 The Mayor of New Jersey’s Historic Village recently decreed that a new icon be added to the New… Read More »Keepsake: Bernardsville’s Olcott School Part of NJ Keepsake Collection
Views: 2,858 The Mr. Local History Project (MLH) has been preserving and promoting local history since its establishment as a non-profit organization in 2019. The all-volunteer group started a wooden… Read More »Preserving Cranford New Jersey’s History With Art on Wood-The…
Views: 4,310 Our researchers continue to dig and have finally found ALL of the deed records of the Riverside Inn property. It took us back to the late 1800s. If… Read More »The Riverside Inn – History of Cranford’s (and New…
Views: 1,720 Supporting Bernardsville’s history via our MLH keepsake collection is growing as we honor Bernardsville’s local history. Here’s your chance, Bernardsville, to show your support for local history. Three… Read More »Preserving Bernardsville’s History Collection
Views: 1,039 Does the hot dog (not the Italian one) get a place in New Jersey’s Historic Foodie Wooden Collectible series?What about Rutt’s Hut, or any other of a handful… Read More »Does Another Jersey Hot Dog Icon Deserve a Historic…
Views: 24,709 The MLH Project is proud to be the exclusive reseller of the New Jersey Historic Wooden Keepsake Collection, created by the world-famous Cat’s Meow Village. Made in the… Read More »The New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Keepsake Collection Keeps…
Views: 908 Take the Survey – What are the Most Historic Icons in Bernardsville? Olcott School, The Old Library, Jerolaman’s, the Bernards Inn, the Old Stone Hotel, Dunster Squibb house,… Read More »Vote For Bernardsville’s Most Historic Venues
Views: 10,963 Four limited edition wooden keepsakes to honor New Jersey’s historic icons honoring the state’s most famous eateries that have served Jersey for almost 100 years. Congratulations to our… Read More »Honoring Four Historic New Jersey Eateries Cat’s Meow Collectibles
Views: 12,850 We start with a little video tied to three limited edition wooden keepsakes to honor historic icons in Bernardsville, New Jersey. Click the video below to watch. Supporting… Read More »Preserving Bernardsville’s History with Art on Wood Keepsakes –…
Views: 2,639 UPDATED for 2024 – We’re having a raffle again to honor the 103rd edition of the Far Hills Race Meeting. Enter your chance to win the 100th Anniversary… Read More »100th Far Hills Race Collectible – Feel Lucky –…
Views: 4,019 Krug’s Tavern, a shot and beer joint that’s survived through WW2, the Riots, and gentrification, the four generations continue the family legacy with this legendary New Jersey tavern.… Read More »Newark’s 1932 Krug’s Tavern Wooden Collectible Honors Jersey’s BEST
Views: 7,021 Congratulations to the Westfield Fire Department as Westfield celebrates its 150th year. The Mr. Local History Project (MLH) has been preserving and promoting local history since our non-profit… Read More »Keepsakes: Preserving Westfield NJ History – The Cat’s Meow
Views: 5,873 Be part of the Widow White’s Tavern limited edition run. Mr Local History is proud to announce the upcoming release of the 7th in the collectible series, the… Read More »Widow White’s Tavern 7th Wooden Historic Village Keepsake
Views: 1,868 Congratulations to Union, Route 22, and the famous historic roadside attraction, the “World Famous Flagship – the ship that never sailed.” Your votes mattered, and the Route 22… Read More »Union Flagship on Route 22 Beautiful Keepsake Honors History
Views: 6,240 New Jersey Historical Wooden Keepsake Collection Welcomes the 1871 Washington House The iconic Washington House in Basking Ridge Village has a rich history dating back to 1871. At… Read More »The Washington House- A Basking Ridge Icon
Views: 4,988 Yep, we said it….. sha la la la la la down the shore everything’s alright. Put some of the Jersey shore’s most iconic keepsakes out for display. Bruce… Read More »History: ‘Down the Shore Everything’s Alright’ Collectibles
Views: 8,594 Congratulations, Cranford, on the five collectibles now part of the New Jersey Historical Wooden Village collection, a group of over 40 Jersey collectibles. Each keepsake brings awareness to… Read More »Preserving Cranford’s History – Five Limited Iconic Collectibles
Views: 795 Release Party: March 1, 2025 Celebrating the rich history of the Kennedy Martin Stelle Farmstead, this iconic Basking Ridge farm is honored with this beautiful wooden hand-painted collectible… Read More »KMS Farmstead in Basking Ridge Honored with Painted Wooden…
Views: 792 Want to be part of the New Jersey Historic Keepsake Village Collection? It all starts with a nomination! The MLH Project is proud to be the exclusive organizer… Read More »Does Your Preservation Work Deserve to Be Part of…
Views: 4,011 Cranford High School – Cranford, New Jersey – Three Locations – Three Icons 1st CHS – Cranford High School at Grant School Established in 1902, Cranford’s first High… Read More »Honoring New Jersey’s Cranford High School History
Views: 1,313 The time – 1950s – the invention – The EggOmat, an egg vending machine enclosed in a wooden shed, born on Mountain Boulevard, across from the field that’s… Read More »Does Warren’s EggOmat Deserve a Keepsake in the NJ…
Views: 14,313 The MLH Project is proud to be the exclusive reseller of the New Jersey Historic Wooden Keepsake Collection, created by the world-famous Cat’s Meow Village. Made in the… Read More »The Exclusive New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Keepsake Collection
Views: 4,746 UPDATE:It’s HERE! The Cat’s Meow Village and Mr. Local History honors Asbury Park’s Stone Pony, joining the New Jersey Historic Village collection, now over forty keepsakes. Join the… Read More »Collectible: Preserving Jersey Music History – Asbury Park’s Stone…
Views: 1,167 Nine pieces of custom art on wood honor Bernards Township’s history. Start your collection of these beautiful, limited edition keepsakes. The Governor of New Jersey’s Historic Village has… Read More »Treasuring Basking Ridge New Jersey Historic Icons – The…
Views: 1,618 Congratulations to the Westfield Fire Department as Westfield celebrates the 150th year. 150th Anniversary of the Westfield Fire Department with a parade and community festival on Saturday, June 21, 2025:… Read More »Keepsakes: Preserving Westfield New Jersey history is a Treasure
Views: 2,318 Ahhhhhhhh……those Wildwood Days are ready to enjoy in your home!A monumental new keepsake collectible from the Mr. Local History Project. The Governor of New Jersey’s Historic Village recently… Read More »Keepsake: Wildwood Arrives to NJ Historic Wooden Village Collection
Views: 9,525 The Governor of New Jersey’s Historic Keepsake Village has decreed that a new icon should be added to the New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Collection, expanding the exclusive… Read More »Keepsake: Basking Ridge Christmas Eve Caroling on the Green
Views: 853 We have been told a terrible rumor. Is it true? Do some people bring out their Jersey Cat’s Meow collectibles only for the holidays? Read on…. Yes, we… Read More »Who Brings Their Jersey Village Collectibles out Just for…
Views: 2,896 Congratulations, Basking Ridge and Bernardsville, on being the foundation for the New Jersey Historical Wooden Village collection, a group of over 40 Jersey collectibles. Each keepsake brings awareness… Read More »Bernards Township/Bernardsville Historic Wooden Village Keepsake Collectibles
Views: 2,909 The Mr. Local History Project is proud to announce that the board has accepted The White Manna Hamburger diner stand in Hackensack, New Jersey to be included in… Read More »Hackensack’s Historic White Manna Honored With Miniature Wooden Collectible
Views: 2,882 The Mayor of New Jersey’s Historic Village recently decreed that a new icon be added to the New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Collection in a bold move to… Read More »Keepsake: Westfield’s Mindowaskin Pond in Winter is a Treasure
Views: 7,477 The ancestors of the creator of the Italian Hot Dog continue to serve up Italian hot dogs every day. Over the years, Mike Loikith says that about twenty… Read More »Historic Jimmy Buff’s and the Italian Hot Dog Honored…
Views: 1,634 The Mayor of New Jersey’s Historic Village has decreed another Jersey icon be added to the New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Collection recently in a bold move to… Read More »Lucy the Elephant Added to NJ Village Collection
Views: 981 The Mayor of New Jersey’s Historic Village has decreed two icons be added to the New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Collection recently in a bold move to expand… Read More »Ford Mansion Added to NJ Village Collection
Views: 4,853 Nothing goes better than a fun Jersey day trip to an iconic town that starts on the Jersey shore and gives you many fun choices filled with food… Read More »New Jersey’s MOST ICONIC Diner Keepsake
Views: 15,637 #45-47summerwhitehouse Preserving Bedminster’s History – The Mr. Local History Project (MLH) has been preserving and promoting local history since our non-profit organization was established in 2019. The all-volunteer… Read More »Collectible: Preserving Bedminster’s History with a Special Keepsake –…
Views: 5,287 Remembering classic movie theaters that not only showed first rate films, but anchored our towns and kept us full of memories. Three of the last remaining old-time, downtown… Read More »Historic New Jersey Cinemas Honored in Miniature Wooden Collection
Views: 4,069 Get your own Miniature Wooden Keepsake to Honor the Cranford Canoe Club in Cranford, New Jersey Cranford Canoe Club History The Cranford Canoe Club is an iconic historic… Read More »Keepsake Honors the Cranford Canoe Club – New Jersey’s…
Views: 8,435 UPDATE:Mr. Local History is proud to announce, in partnership with The Ross Farm, the release of the 6th collectible in the series, the Somerset County 1777 Boudinot Southard… Read More »Lewis – Boudinot – Southard- Ross Farm in Basking…
Views: 1,240 Mr. Local History is proud to announce, after years of thought, that they will be producing a very limited run of a keepsake honoring the lost Jolly Trolley… Read More »Westfield’s Icon Jolly Trolley Enshrined in NJ Historic Wooden…
Views: 5,715 Exclusively Sold by the Mr. Local History Project. Order yours online now. Mr Local History is proud to announce the release of the 6th in the collectible series,… Read More »1912 Astor Estate in Basking Ridge Selected as 6th…
Views: 4,792 Mr Local History is proud to announce the release of the third in the collectible series, the 619-year-old Basking Ridge Historic White Oak Cat’s Meow collectible, which is… Read More »Basking Ridge Historic White Oak Tree Honored in New…
Views: 4,502 The Mr. Local History Project is so proud to share the release of the second in the historic New Jersey Historical Wooden Cat’s Meow collectible series, the 1718… Read More »Basking Ridge Church and 619 Year Oak Tree Honored…
Views: 5,741 The Mr. Local History Project, in conjunction with T3 Consortium and the Cat’s Meow Village introduce the Inaugural Keepsake of the Historic Somerset Hills Village Collection, the 1809… Read More »Historic Cat’s Meow Collection Created for Somerset Hills Historic…
