Stories

MLHP History Gift Shop
Jersey is all we do. We make each of these collectibles to promote New Jersey history, as our motto …

Before the West Point Military Academy (USMA) There was Pluckemin
America’s First Military Academy, the Pluckemin Academy (Dec.1778) was 24 Years BEFORE West Point (M…
Year End Giving Really Matters This Year-We Need Your Support
As of right now, we are UNABLE to bring our programs to the public and the schools because they requ…

Day Trips – Four Historic New Jersey Fall Locations You Must See
The 2025 Fall Foliage Map is the ultimate visual planning guide to the annual progression …

TROG – The Race of Gentlemen – Pure Jersey History Right in Front of Your Eyes
Known as The Race of Gentlemen, the event has been revived since the 1950s by a local club called th…

Kiwanis Fair Basking Ridge Marked the End of Summer with a Bang
Memories and a BIG Photo CollectionThe official end of summer was upon us. People were comin…

Mr. Local History’s #growlocalhistory Project Literally GROWS!
UPDATE: Wednesday, July 20 -ALL GONE. Our #growlocalhistory sunflower seed pack giveaway is complete…

The Lost New Jersey Drive Ins
New Jersey has a rich history of drive-in theaters, and what you maybe didn’t know is that drive-ins…

The Life of Irwin Richardt -The Patriot of Liberty Corner
Irwin joins what we call the Basking Ridge Rushmore 5 of the modern era! They make BR what it is – a…

Basking Ridge’s Stirling Manor & Perth Amboy’s Proprietary House : Digging Around
The Mr. Local History Project is researching the thesis that another house, known as Stirling Manor …

Ice Cream History around the Somerset Hills
July is National Ice Cream Month, so it’s time for Mr. Local History’s look back at the history, the…

International Women’s Day Honors Trailblazers from the Somerset Hills in New Jersey
Honoring International Women’s Day, we thought it would be an honor to research and share the storie…

Retrospective: Newark’s McGovern’s Tavern- An Irish History Tale
Frank McGovern opened his tavern in 1936 selecting 58 New Street right in the central ward of downto…

President Trump’s Historic Summer White House in Bedminster, New Jersey
In a sleepy equestrian area in the Somerset Hills of central New Jersey, the former President of the…

The New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Keepsake Collection Keeps Expanding
What started with one keepsake has grown to New Jersey’s largest Cat’s Meow offering, celebrating th…

Independence Day – Kudos to New Jersey Signers #jersey5
Let’s talk about the five Jersey patriots who stepped in at the last minute and helped form a new co…

The Blessing of the Hounds – A Countryside Tradition
An annual tradition for the Essex Fox Hounds of Peapack, New JerseyBlessing of the HoundsBac…

Summer Reading Book & Film Club – Central Jersey History
Summer is a great time for readers to take a book to the beach or just sit in a lounge chair in the …

Jersey’s History with Bar Room Shuffleboard
Isn’t it interesting how history becomes a part of history? Take, for example, pay phones. When you …

Thanksgiving Meet – Horses, Hounds and Foxes Before Turkey – A Countryside Tradition
President George Washington proclaimed Nov. 26, 1789, the last Thursday of November that year, to be…

Meet (Sir) Francis Bernard Esq. – New Jersey’s Royal Governor
Our curiosity started with a round-table discussion: Who is Francis Bernard, and should there be a s…

Sir Francis Bernard Honored With American Town Names
Sir Francis Bernard’s Legacy Carries On as Towns Honor the Royal Governor of New Jersey and Massachu…

Retrospective: Building AT&T Headquarters Basking Ridge
Remember Basking Ridge’s AT&T with some vintage items in our Wear Lost Local History store.…

Moonshining Bootlegging Speakeasies in Somerset County, NJ
A few friends got together and started talking about the fine art of distilling and how much it’s ch…

Retrospective: Robert & Estelle Terry – Tuskegee Airmen and Basking Ridge Pilots
NOTE:As with all Mr. Local History retrospectives, we often update the post when we learn stori…

Best Crumb Cake in New Jersey – Discuss Now
Maybe we’re taking this too seriously, but we’ve been searching for bakeries serving New Jersey’s be…

Remembering Howard Johnson’s
Introduced to America in 1925, it wasn’t until 1954 when the first HoJo’s motor lodge made it to the…

The Besties – The Best of the Best in Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Bedminster in Northern Somerset County
2025 Suggestions? Drop Us a NoteWe dare to compare!Bedminster, Bernardsville, Basking Ridge, Far…

The Knox Trophy – West Point’s Oldest Military Award
The Knox Trophy is an award that was established on October 8, 1910, and given annually by the Sons …

History of the US Golf Association Headquarters, Museum and the US Open
The MLH Project visits the history of the USGA Headquarters, including the Frothingham House and Tes…

History Matters to MainStreet Bernardsville
We are very happy to announce our partnership support to the MainStreet Bernardsville revitalization…

Widow White’s Tavern in Basking Ridge was more than a Grog Stop
Basking Ridge, New Jersey’s Most Famous IncidentMajor General Lee – IF it wasn’t for what happ…

Newark’s 1932 Krug’s Tavern Wooden Collectible Honors Jersey’s BEST
Krug’s Tavern, a shot and beer joint that’s survived through WW2, the Riots, and gentrification, the…

Far Hills Race Meeting Collectible & Century Old History of this Fall Jersey Classic
It’s more like a piece of art. The history on the back is just a bonus. Available ONLINE Only. Get y…

Honoring Grant Schley and His Far Hills, New Jersey History
NOTE: The Borough of Far Hills celebrated its 100th anniversary #farhills100, with Council President…

The Annins of Liberty Corner: Patriots, Flag Company and a Middle School
Update:February 16, 2024 – Thanks to all of you, the BOE has removed the name change for William…

Three Historic Moments That Changed Basking Ridge & America
On the internet, we’ve created the #3LOCALHISTORYEVENTCHALLENGE, where you share your town’s three m…

America’s First Republican Vice President Nominee – Basking Ridge’s William Dayton Beats out Abraham Lincoln
Americans think the Biden/Trump election was one for the ages, exposing huge ideological beliefs, hi…

Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ Time in Bernardsville & Peapack, New Jersey
A Small Part of Camelot in the Somerset Hills in Northern Somerset County, New Jersey, and why the F…

The Somerset Hills Airport in Basking Ridge – Lost but Not Forgotten
Lord Stirling, the Revolutionary War Buildings, the First Airmail, World Record Gliders, the Tuskege…

The Founding Families of Bernards Township (Basking Ridge)
NOTE: Remember that Warren, Far Hills, and Bernardsville were part of Bernards Township, so these fa…

ROADTRIP: Historic Waterloo Village Concept Works
Here’s an idea. How about a fresh air compound? Great open space. Historic homes, beautiful rolling,…

Keepsake Collection Honors Jersey’s Local History
The MLH Project is proud to be the EXCLUSIVE reseller of the entire New Jersey Historic Wooden Keeps…

AT&T’s Golden Boy Has Had a Tough Life
Update:MLH has created an exclusive design of AT&T & the Golden Boy – Click image for de…

Franklin Corners and William Childs Williamsburg-esqe Vision
Bernards Township’s Franklin Corners Historic District honors Benjamin Franklin’s name.Tucke…

America’s Oldest Nudist Colony is in Liberty Corner, New Jersey
Above Image: William (Bill) Meyer, Sky Farm founder, seen here tilling the field…..naked, of cours…

Historic Fires in the Somerset Hills
While you’d think that hurricanes and floods wreak the most havoc, there has been nothing more destr…

Basking Ridge Oak Tree Community Video Photo Collection
Basking Ridge Oak Tree Community Video Photo AlbumDid you send us your photo yet? We will make a…

Jersey’s Bendix Diner Story Blows Your Mind – Forced to Sell
I love John….and this is why…https://youtu.be/GJdH0Q0DltM?si=nC2xR9x2Dgbe_ZR4 “Site Unseen”…

‘Beautiful Bernards’ Honors Bernards Township History and Community
“Beautiful Bernards” is a perfect example of “sharing local history with a social twist!”Mr. Local H…

Comparing Basking Ridge’s 619 Year Old Oak to the World’s Oldest Trees
On April 24-26, 2017, the New Jersey town of Basking Ridge lost its oldest resident, the Basking Rid…

Get a Bernards Township Flag – MLH Donates 15 to Project Local History Ambassador
Mr. Local History Project will present flags to 5th graders and share the local history of the flag …

Bernards Township Origins
Bernards Township Asian Community Research Project seeks researchers to help with this important eff…

Art and History – Looking for Artists To Interpret History to Celebrate NJ250
Joining the America 250 movement – Artists and New Jersey 250!UPDATE: We are looking for art pro…

Top 10 Most Historic Businesses in the Somerset Hills, New Jersey
Whether you’re a banker, national political figure, CEO, or farmer, the Somerset Hills has provided …

Largest Antique Truck Collection in the World is in Basking Ridge, New Jersey
You wouldn’t think, but in a quiet suburb of New York City, a man has amassed what is often referred…

SHOP LOCAL – Small Business Saturday is Everyday at Mr. Local History!
The Mr. Local History Project is probably the “smallest of small businesses” and needs your support.…

Our MLH Holiday Boutique is Open
We’ve been spending all year creating some of the most unique Jersey history gifts this holiday seas…

Take 2 Minutes and 18 Seconds to Celebrate America
It takes around two minutes and eighteen seconds to sing God Bless America. Mr. Local History took a…

1905 – Cape May Auto Racing on the Beach Rivaled Daytona Beach
See the exclusive collection of Mr. Local History Project Jersey Motorsports “Wear Jersey Local Hist…

Wildwood’s Motorcycle Wall of Death is Back in New Jersey
Get yourself a piece of Jersey history – the Mr. Local History Project “Wear Jersey History Collecti…

The “Man Card Survey” – or “How Men Think” Survey
UPDATE:Our old survey software went dead, so after over 1,000 responses, we have to start over. …

Top 10 Jersey Shore Historic Places and Events
The jewel of Jersey – “the Jersey Shore”The term “Jersey Shore” is a term used to describe t…

Retrospective: The Siblings of a 619-Year Oak Tree
The Basking Ridge Oak Tree has sat and watched over Basking Ridge for what is now confirmed to be 61…

Somerset County Farms, Orchards, Dairies, Stables & Historic Preservation
Note: MLHP increased the coverage to include all of Somerset County’s lost and active farm sta…

Seven Historic Wonders of the World from New Jersey
There are all kinds of interpretations of the term “Seven Wonders of the World,” including mother na…

Three Local Quizzes Test Your Localness
Do you live in Bedminster, Bernards Township or Bernardsville and think you know your local history?…

Holiday Cards – Basking Ridge & Bernardsville Villages Support Non-Profit
The Mr. Local History project offers exclusive holiday cards, with artwork by local resident Linda A…

Origins of Cold as Balls and Cold as a Witch’s Teet
The phrase “cold as balls” reportedly comes from the contraction of metal on ship’s cannons, causing…

John Morton – General Washington’s Rebel Banker Hid in Basking Ridge
John Morton was a Colonel in the Continental Army. Still, he gave up his commission in 1761 to becom…

Make a Donation – Get a Historic Map as our Gift
Make a Tax-Deductible Donation – Get a Frameable MapFinding New Ways to Share Local History.We c…

10 More Haunted Tales From Central New Jersey
Believe it or not, the dead are alive in central New Jersey, especially in northern Somerset County.…

Jersey’s History Bucket List
Wow, this story was one of our most controversial and difficult stories we’ve ever prepared. Just th…

Basking Ridge’s Oldest Cemetery
Cemeteries showcase some of history’s greatest reminders of where we came from. Many people new to t…

‘Buy A Veteran a Burger’ Fundraiser For Our Lyons VA Veterans
Again this year, we’re hoping that you will participate with the Mr. Local History Project and suppo…

Township Resolution Honors Bernards Township Day
The Bernards Township Committee passed Resolution #2023-0244 honoring Bernards Township Day of Commu…

Honoring Black History Month in the Somerset Hills
NOTE: As with many Mr. Local History retrospectives, we often update the post when we learn stories …

Art and Local History in the Somerset Hills
Capturing History with Art in the Somerset Hills in Somerset County, New JerseyThe Mr. Local His…

Retrospective: Snowstorms and Sledding in Somerset County New Jersey
Snow is an interesting thing. Some love it. Some hate it. But when there’s a major storm in the area…

Bedminster Has A Tavern Serving Over 200 years of History
Bedminster, New Jersey is situated just 45 miles west of New York City but you are right int the mid…

Holiday Engagement? Historic Wedding Venues in Central New Jersey
T’is the season for engagements right? So why not share some of the most historic wedding venues in …

Historic Jimmy Buff’s and the Italian Hot Dog Honored With Miniature Wooden Collectible
The ancestors of the creator of the Italian Hot Dog continue to serve up Italian hot dogs every day.…

Legendary Jimmy Buff’s Italian Hot Dog – A Newark, New Jersey Invention
Those following the Mr. Local History Project know we love Jersey food and iconic food outlets. Alon…

Tuskegee Medal Presentation Writes Final Chapter
Family and friends traveled from all over the country to Basking Ridge to honor the family of Robert…

Bernardsville’s Radio Tavern Was a Hidden “Little Italy” Gem
You might have heard that Bernardsville, New Jersey, is on the move. Congratulations on your centenn…

Brush’s Deli Served the Community for Three Generations and Now It’s Just a Memory
UPDATE: Dec. 6, 2023 – We have learned from our sources that the third generation Brush’s Deli in Ba…

The Official Sandwich of Basking Ridge – What Now?
BASKING RIDGE UPDATE:April 1, 2025 – Since the village of Basking Ridge lost the famed creator of th…

Historic Tavern Pub Tours of New Jersey / PA / New York City
Self-guided tours of some of the most historic pubs and taverns in the tri-state area.Who doesn’…

THE First American Flag and Middlebrook, New Jersey
Isn’t it great when you think you know about something only to find out that someone else has shown …

Annin History Book Donated to Bernards Library
It took a bit, but finally the book of the 175 year history of the Annin Flag Company has finally ma…

The Soap Box Derby and Ties to New Jersey
The 15th annual High Bridge Soap Box Derby was a blast!History right in front of your eyes!…

Flag Honors Bernards Township’s History & Available for First Time in 64 Years
For the First Time in 64 Years, Fundraiser Offers Exclusive Large Bernards Township Flag Made by the…

Baseball’s Bobby Thomson’s 1951 ‘Shot Heard Round the World’ was a Jersey Guy
Bobby joins what we call the Basking Ridge Rushmore 5 of the modern era! They make BR what it is – a…

That Historic Sand Pit in Basking Ridge, New Jersey
It’s been discussed over the years in hushed circles at Brush’s Deli. It has been described as a rac…

The Bernardsville Basking Ridge Speedway of 1907
PREVIEW READ:Mr. Local History took a ride down Washington Avenue in Bernardsville & Basking…

100+ Mouthwatering “Best Burgers” From New Jersey – Krug’s Tavern Burger Porn Collection
Krug’s Tavern: Newark’s Burger TempleSince 1932, Krug’s Tavern on Wilson Avenue has been serving…

Somerset Hills Rail Travel & Commuting Over the Last 150 Years
Ever wonder what it was like to travel on a train back in 1872 in the Somerset Hills? Train service …

Program Pilot: Local History Games/Puzzles
What better way to share New Jersey’s local history then with games. In an effort to create a fun an…

2021 Year In Review – Mr. Local History’s Top 10 Stories
For your consideration……Late December and early January are great times to reflect on the ye…

Deep Dive: Krug’s Tavern – Preserving Newark’s History
The Mr. Local History Project (MLH) has been preserving and promoting Jersey’s local history since t…
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