Bernards Township has an impressive history that dates back to the early 1600s. The Mr. Local History Project started investigating the origins of the Bernards Township official flag. Let’s see what we’ve found.
Bernards Township Flag Design
A flag defines the fabric of a country, a state, a county, or a cause. However, having a flag for a town is a unique and exclusive feature, available only for a select few areas seeking to affirm their place in history. Designed by a local resident, a closer look reveals meaning in every part of its structure. The Bernards Township flag is a simple design; two oak leaves on a four-rectangle pattern. A white strip bounds the top and bottom. Designed in 1960 to honor the 200th anniversary of the founding charter of Bernardston, James Fogelman, a local resident, presented his version and reasoning for the flag that became the historic icon of Bernards Township.
Four rectangles of gold and red that stand for the four communities of which Bernards is composed: Basking Ridge, Liberty Corner, Lyons and West Millington. Bound in white, symbolic of purity and truth, the red is for the blood of life and the gold is for a prosperous and flourishing community. White is for purity.
James Fogleman, Bernards Township Resident who designed the original Bernards township flag
Two enormous oak leafs adorning the red-gold field represent the township’s old oak tree, a symbol of strength, sturdiness and character. The twin oak leaves also stand for the township’s 200 years.
Bernards Township Flag History
Throughout Bernards Township’s history, the township flag has been used as the backdrop to honor local history, first at the 200th Bicentennial anniversary in 1960 and then at the 250th anniversary in 2010.
200th Anniversary Bicentennial Flag
The Bicentennial flag was officially recognized as the official town flag of Bernards Township and was first raised by Peter L. Heimbach of Basking Ridge and Henry R. Lounsbury Jr. from Liberty Corner on Saturday, May 21, 1960, at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., respectively.
The flag was originally designed by James Fogelman, a resident of Berta Place who served on the Bernards Township Bicentennial Committee. Fogelman also served on the Planning Board and worked at Ciba Pharmaceuticals as design director of the U.S. Ciba subsidiary located in Summit, NJ.
After Fogelman’s design was accepted by the Bicentennial Committee, Donald Douglas and Frank Beatty, both of Liberty Corner, along with William Keeler of Basking Ridge, worked with the Annin Flag Company of Verona, New Jersey, to produce the first official Bernards Township flag. The Annin Flag Company was the only choice as those who know local history, it was the Annin family of Liberty Corner that founded the Annin Flag Company.
Presidential Telegram
For the 200th anniversary, known as the bicentennial celebration, Mayor William G. Badgley commenced the day with a telegram he received from President Dwight D. Eisenhower:
President of the United States
(Image simulated by MLHP)
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
OFFICIAL TELEGRAM
To the Citizens of Bernards Township:
Over the past two centuries, the people of Bernards Township have established a distinguished record of individual enterprise and civic achievement. Strengthened by such a proud tradition, they may enter their third century of community life with confidence and purpose.
Please accept my sincere congratulations and best wishes for continued success.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
President of the United States
Bernards Township 250th Anniversary Flag
For Bernards Township’s 250th anniversary, the yellow and green flags on the village greens were flown in Basking Ridge and Liberty Corner, as well as the large banner flag in Town Hall. The flag was designed by township resident Cathy Mondoro and C.J. Designs and donated by the Annin Flag Company, an organization with long ties to Bernards Township.
“I built three concepts that the township committee discussed and mulled over, and ultimately settled on this one,” Mondoro said. “This one was designed for several reasons, to blend the historical and contemporary for one, because obviously the stars and stripes are very traditional and very historical. Although I did not want to do traditional red, white, and blue colors because I wanted to be more specific to Basking Ridge.”
Mondoro chose the yellow and green colors often used by the township and incorporated the oak leaf symbol as an homage to the Old Oak Tree in Basking Ridge.
Conclusion
After conducting research and speaking with residents, the Mr. Local History Project determined that the Bernards Township flag shown below is based on James Fogelman’s 1960 design.
Known as “The red-white-and-gold” flag, James Fogleman presented it to the Township Committee and Bicentennial Chairman William Scheuerman. As they say, “The rest is history.”
As they do with American flags, I guess we can refer to this flag as the “Fogelman Flag.”
Do you have a Bernards Township Flag Photo to Share?
There is only ONE place we’ve found the Bernards Township flag and that’s at the Bernards Township Municipal Building Committee/Courtroom.
If you have one, send us a photo or story with your Bernards Township flag!
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