News and articles of historic interest from the official Bernards Township historian.
Views: 8,310 The Mr. Local History project got a request the other day asking why is the Ridge High School sports program called the Red Devils and why are they using the color green? It’s a history thing. Lets take… Read More »Why is Basking Ridge Called the Red Devils and Why are They Green?
Views: 15,766 In a sleepy little section in the northern end of Bernards Township lies the Olde Mill Inn. Once just a tiny restaurant and former grain house barn, it has become a quiet getaway for Hollywood elite and social… Read More »They Stayed In Basking Ridge
Views: 11,333 Before we get started: The Methodist Church in the United States is 94% white, 92% third-generation American, 60% married, 69% believe in God, 42% attend church weekly, and 62% believe in hell. Several attempts were made in the… Read More »Bishop Edmund S. Janes – Father of the Bernardsville Mountain
Views: 2,937 The Mr. Local History Project honors the former Bernards Township’s historian June Kennedy showcasing our “June in December” tree honoring her dedication to community and local history. The Festival of Trees is an indoor exhibit of decorated Christmas… Read More »“June in December” Tree Honors June Kennedy at Festival of Trees in Basking Ridge
Views: 7,033 As we’ve been focusing on preserving and promoting local history, out of left field comes one of my most humbling honors when the Bernards Township Committee on October 29, 2019 passed a resolution appointing him as the official… Read More »Bernards Township Appoints Mr. Local History as Official Historian
Views: 10,480 We lost 2019 to Charter Day to storms.We lost 2020 Charter Day to Covid-19. Now we lost 2021 Charter Day to Covid-19 AGAIN! Get ready for a fun filled street fair and festival on Saturday, May 15, 2021… Read More »Bernards Township Charter Day – May 15, 2021 CANCELLED
Views: 11,886 The Grain House: 1768-2018 Congratulations to the Grain House Restaurant for celebrating its 250th anniversary as a structure in the Franklin Corners section of Bernards Township, New Jersey. Mr. Local History congratulates the historic Grain House as it… Read More »Historic Grain House in Bernards Township Marks 250th Anniversary
Views: 5,544 UPDATE:Sadly, Google stopped supporting its 3D virtual tour technology and we lost our virtual tour.We’ll look for a new solution and share when we have something fun to share. In the meantime, please leverage our virtual map below.… Read More »Virtual Tour of Historic Basking Ridge Village
Views: 8,967 2019 – Honoring New Jersey’s Bernards Township Police Department’s 100th Anniversary. 50 Photos in Less Than 6 Minutes On April 10, 2019, the Bernards Township Police Department will be celebrating 100 years serving the local community. From their… Read More »Bernards Township Police Department Celebrates 100 Years of Service
Views: 11,558 Before I begin this post, I must say that this topic was one of my favorites, along with June Kennedy, our Basking Ridge Town historian who passed away in November 2018. We often challenged each other to dig… Read More »The History of Bernards Township Street Names
Views: 12,955 On June 10, 2017, the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church (BRPC) celebrated its 300th anniversary with a town-wide parade from Ridge High School down Finley Avenue to the iconic church of the Basking Ridge Village Green. Given this great… Read More »The History of Worship in Basking Ridge
Views: 28,357 UPDATE:Did you see that another Basking Ridge resident is hitting the silver screen, sharing the screen with Basking Ridge’s Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada 2? Meet Basking Ridge’s Helen J. Shen. Helen J. Shen graduated from… Read More »Retrospective: Meryl Streep Was From Basking Ridge BEFORE Bernardsville
Views: 16,368 History is a strange thing. The myth often outweighs the truth in many cases, sometimes distorting it to create a more compelling narrative. Sometimes, it’s like the game where you whisper something to someone, then they whisper to… Read More »Finding the Truth About the KKK in Basking Ridge & the Somerset Hills
If you’ve been touched by the story of the Basking Ridge Historic Oak Tree’s 600-year history, you have to see this new book. “The Historic Basking Ridge Oak Tree Project” is a compilation of the area’s children from Kindergarten through High School who have written or drawn pictures of one of the most historic trees in America.
The Basking Ridge Historic Oak Tree Project is one of the most heartwarming books ever made to celebrate the life and history of the 619 year oak tree that was lost in 2017. It’ll pull on your heart strings.
Meg Wastie, Historic Oak Tree Project coordinator
The Basking Ridge Historic Oak Tree Project sought kindergarten through high school students to participate in The Historical Society of Somerset Hills “Tree Views” writing contest and the William Annin Tree Shirt Contest & Fundraiser. The essay premise was that students would write as if they were the historic oak and describe events they felt notable. Every school in Bernards Township participated, including Cedar Hill School, Liberty Corner School, Mount Prospect School, Oak Street School, William Annin Middle School, Ridge High School, St. James Catholic School, and one from the Assumption School. The tree shirt contest raised over $5440 in selling tee shirts while the Historical Society presented a $500 scholarship to the high school essay winner.
Below are a few examples from the 145-page collection of stories and images of the Great White Oak of Basking Ridge (Click Images to enlarge):
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
The inaugural run of the book became available on Thursday, June 8, 2017, starting at 7 p.m. at the Tree Views Essay Reception at the historic Westminster Hall at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, next to where the historic oak lived. Over 100 guests attended the release, where authors and artists read their essays. A book signing followed, which was one of the most touching events we’ve ever seen.
Click Here to visit our Gift Shop, Etsy Store
Related Local History
