History
Ongoing historical research on a variety of topics.
The Tale of Two Bedminsters
Views: 16,624 Sister Towns in New Jersey and England Share a Common Bond – and a Name How fun was it when our friends across the pond contacted us, inquiring about what they were calling a “sister town” in New… Read More »The Tale of Two Bedminsters
Bernards Township Police Department Celebrates 100 Years of Service
Views: 8,957 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
The History of Bernards Township Street Names
Views: 11,555 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
Basking Ridge Historic White Oak Tree Honored in New Jersey Keepsake in Series
Views: 4,790 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 now available online. The New Jersey Historic Village keepsake collection… Read More »Basking Ridge Historic White Oak Tree Honored in New Jersey Keepsake in Series
Basking Ridge Church and 619 Year Oak Tree Honored in New Jersey Historic Village Collection
Views: 4,500 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 Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church and the 619-year-old Basking Ridge Historic… Read More »Basking Ridge Church and 619 Year Oak Tree Honored in New Jersey Historic Village Collection
Retrospective: Meryl Streep Was From Basking Ridge BEFORE Bernardsville
Views: 28,336 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
Somerset Hills Bars and Restaurants of the Past
Views: 18,632 Every town in the world has restaurants and brothels that come and go. There are always reasons why they come and go, but the history and memories of what used to be remain. The Somerset Hills has a… Read More »Somerset Hills Bars and Restaurants of the Past
Historic Cat’s Meow Collection Created for Somerset Hills Historic Brick Academy
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 Brick Academy in the Basking Ridge Village of Bernards Township,… Read More »Historic Cat’s Meow Collection Created for Somerset Hills Historic Brick Academy
Alexander Hamilton’s Morristown Love Story
Views: 8,473 Morristown, New Jersey – Alexander Hamilton’s Roots Known as “the cockpit of the American Revolution,” New Jersey has a rich history from the American Revolution. During the 2nd winter encampment in Morristown and the 4th in New Jersey,… Read More »Alexander Hamilton’s Morristown Love Story
Finding the Truth About the KKK in Basking Ridge & the Somerset Hills
Views: 16,364 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
The Basking Ridge Historic Oak Tree Project Keepsake is a Treasure
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
Project Essence
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):
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Limited Availability – Easy Online Ordering
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.
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Kids Event Planning: History Coloring Book
Views: 4,692 Coloring History Opportunity for Kids T3 Consortium, a local company in the Somerset Hills, is proud to announce a new program for education programs to create a great program to make available for children while teaching them about… Read More »Kids Event Planning: History Coloring Book
Charter Day to Showcase Artist’s History Coloring Book
Views: 4,214 Meet Local Artist Linda Arnold – Get an Autographed Edition Local artist and Liberty Corner resident Linda Arnold will be signing copies of her new coloring book “Somerset Hills History” during the Bernards Township Charter Day Streetfair &… Read More »Charter Day to Showcase Artist’s History Coloring Book
Recreating the Historic Charter of Bernardston
Views: 8,553 Historic documents often meet their tragic endings swiftly and tragically. In 1850, Bernards Township was known to have had a massive fire at the home of the township administrator, burning all of the township’s documents, including its founding… Read More »Recreating the Historic Charter of Bernardston