History

Fall History in New Jersey – The Beauty, The Scary, and Some Oktoberfest

New Jersey in the fall is pure magic. From late September through November, the state transforms into a sea of color, where every hill and valley bursts with shades of red, gold, and amber. The air turns crisp and clean, carrying the scent of burning wood and spiced cider. Country roads wind past farms filled with pumpkins, apples, and corn stalks, and the hills of the Watchungs and the Highlands glow under a canopy of changing leaves. Small towns hold harvest fairs, antique markets, and craft shows that feel straight out of an old postcard.

As October gives way to November, the season deepens. Halloween fades into the warmth of Thanksgiving, but the sense of wonder remains. Historic villages light up with fall festivals and ghost tours, cider presses churn fresh apple blends, and local breweries host their own Oktoberfest celebrations. The chill in the air adds a touch of mystery to moonlit nights and old churchyards, while mornings bring quiet beauty to misty lakes and open fields. Whether exploring a Revolutionary War site under golden trees or gathering with neighbors for a hometown football game, autumn in New Jersey captures a perfect blend of history, color, and community that lasts right up until the first winter frost.

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 of leaf change. While no tool can be 100% accurate, this tool is designed to help travelers… Read More »Day Trips – Four Historic New Jersey Fall Locations…

Legendary Horror Tales and Ghost Stories from Central New Jersey

Urban Legends, Ghosts, Murder, Nuns gone insane, the Devil and other horror stories we’ve dug up from Central New Jersey’s past. May be urban legends, but they’re OUR stories! When… Read More »Legendary Horror Tales and Ghost Stories from Central New…

Fall Beauty in our Community – Photos Over the Years

🍁 Fall’s Golden Tapestry, A Journey Through Time and Color Every autumn, the hills, rivers, and small towns of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania come alive in a blaze… Read More »Fall Beauty in our Community – Photos Over the…

Mr. Local History’s Haunted History Walking Tour of Basking Ridge Fundraiser

How about a fun day out in the fall fresh air, strolling the streets of a Jersey haunted village? The Mr. Local History Project has created a new chapter of… Read More »Mr. Local History’s Haunted History Walking Tour of Basking…

Far Hills Race Meeting Collectible & Century Old History of this Fall Jersey Classic

Celebrating over 100 years of New Jersey’s fall classic, the Far Hills Race Meeting, with this beautiful wooden painted collectible as part of the New Jersey Historic Village Cat’s Meow… Read More »Far Hills Race Meeting Collectible & Century Old History…

Oktoberfest Year Round – Distilling and Brewing in Somerset County- Ah the History

Fall Brewing – Oktoberfest – Perfect Together! Craft brewing and distilling is alive and well in Somerset County. With a rich history dating back to before the Revolutionary War, spirits… Read More »Oktoberfest Year Round – Distilling and Brewing in Somerset…

Ghost Tales, Urban Legends and Cemeteries From Central New Jersey

Urban Legends, Ghosts, Murder, Nuns gone insane, the Devil, and other horror stories we’ve dug up from Central New Jersey’s past. Maybe urban legends, but they’re OUR stories! When the… Read More »Ghost Tales, Urban Legends and Cemeteries From Central New…

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’t like going on an adventure? The Mr. Local History Project has been building… Read More »Historic Tavern Pub Tours of New Jersey / PA…

Bring Back the Thanksgiving Ridge vs. Bernards Turkey Bowl

🏈 The Ridge–Bernards Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl Rivalry. We could hold our tongue no more. It needs to come back so we had to tell the history and why we’d… Read More »Bring Back the Thanksgiving Ridge vs. Bernards Turkey Bowl

Bring Back the Thanksgiving Football Classic – Westfield vs. Plainfield

🏈 The Westfield – Plainfield Thanksgiving Day Football Game. Few local rivalries in New Jersey carry the history and heart of Westfield versus Plainfield. Their first meeting dates back to… Read More »Bring Back the Thanksgiving Football Classic – Westfield vs.…

The Blessing of the Hounds – A Countryside Tradition

An annual tradition for the Essex Fox Hounds of Peapack, New Jersey Blessing of the Hounds Back in 2007, before there was a Mr. Local History, there was just a… Read More »The Blessing of the Hounds – A Countryside Tradition

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 a “day of public thanksgiving.”   What is known as the “Gentry”, in New Jersey… Read More »Thanksgiving Meet – Horses, Hounds and Foxes Before Turkey…

The Tale of Jersey’s Devil Tree

The Devil Tree of Liberty Corner (Somerset County) Urban Legend 1 Devil Tree – The Tree and the Caretaker Me and my friends were all contemplating going up to the… Read More »The Tale of Jersey’s Devil Tree

Fall Day Trip – Historic Mohonk Mountain “House”, New Paltz, New York

Nestled in the Catskill Mountains in the southern portion of New York State lies the historic Mohonk Mountain House, also known to locals as the Mohonk Mountain Resort. The Resort… Read More »Fall Day Trip – Historic Mohonk Mountain “House”, New…

Jackie Mars – Jersey’s Halloween Candy Icon

Jacqueline “Jackie” Mars is an American heiress, investor, and philanthropist who resided in Bedminster, New Jersey. Known at one time as the richest woman on the planet, Halloween just wouldn’t… Read More »Jackie Mars – Jersey’s Halloween Candy Icon

High Point State Park was Donated by Bernardsville Family

High Point State Park in Sussex, New Jersey, home to the state’s highest elevation and a monument for veterans, owes its existence to Bernardsville families the Kusars and the Drydens. Businessman and philanthropist Anthony Kusar and his wife Susie donated…

Warren’s Schwaebische Alb Was a Jersey Octoberfest Institution

HELP THIS STORY: We are still looking for photos of the beer garden or any photos taken after 1970. We are also still researching the sale date to Warren Township… Read More »Warren’s Schwaebische Alb Was a Jersey Octoberfest Institution

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 Fall and Thanksgiving were When We Saw Her Most. While the Somerset… Read More »Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ Time in Bernardsville & Peapack, New…

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