Schools in the Somerset Hills area of northern Somerset County have been a mainstay back to the mid-1700s. We honor the history of these memorable facilities in images from various sources now in our digital research archives.
For the 2020-2021 school children in the area are finally going back to school in with unique guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But have faith, this look back at our history tells us we will survive, and our children will thrive once again.
NOTE:
As with all Mr. Local History retrospectives, we often update the post when we learn stories and are sent photos from our community. We will continue to expand this piece as information becomes available.
Did You Attend Classes at Schools in the Area?
The Mr. Local History Project would love to hear from you at the end of the piece if you have any memories of these schools. Enjoy the look back.
The Somerset Hills schools include those from Bedminster, Bedminster, Bernardsville, Far Hills, Peapack and Gladstone.
Bedminster Historic School Images
Bedminster is part of the Somerset Hills Board of Education District. Remember also that Far Hills, Peapack, and Gladstone were part of Bedminster, New Jersey up until the mid-1920s.
Pluckemin Presbyterian Church School, circa 1910
Bernardsville Historic School Images
Bernardsville is part of the Somerset Hills Board of Education District. Remember also that these three areas were part of Bernards Township, New Jersey up until the mid-1920s. So Basking Ridge high school students attended Bernards High School up until 1961 when Bernards Township erected Ridge High School.
The Somerset Inn was one of the most popular destinations in the Somerset Hills atop the Bernardsville Mountain. It was so popular and people stayed so long, they erected this school house for it's guests children.
Bernards Township Historic School Images
Bernards Township, including Basking Ridge and Liberty Corner are part of the Bernards Township Board of Education District.
Ridge High School is a four-year comprehensive community public high school serving … Ridge High School opened in September 1961. Prior to this, Bernards Township students attended Bernards High School.
An artist rendering of the first church and schoolhouse in the Somerset Hills which was started back in the 1750s.
Far Hills, Peapack, Gladstone Historic School Images
These towns are also part of the Somerset Hills Board of Education District. Remember also that these three areas were part of Bedminster, New Jersey up until the mid-1920s.
Far Hills School and Schley Hall on the Far Hills Fairgrounds c.1900
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Have an old image in the attic you’d like to share?
The Mr. Local History Project is always looking for local historic images. If you have a photo you’d like to share, just click the link and send it in.
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Remember to tell us us the school and year.
Additional Stories:
The Lost Charters of Bernards Township & Bedminster
Went to kindergarten at Ridge High in 52/53. Rhen 4 years at Maple Avenue. Then 5th and 6th grade at Cedar Hill which was just built.
I also remember a friend of my mother had a picture of her class at Maple Avenue, probably around 1920.
Fond memories of LC Elementary School and Cannonball Kennedy 😂
Pre-K to Grade 2 at Liberty Corner from 1991-1995, 3-5 at Cedar Hill from 1995-1998, William Annin 6-8, Then Graduated from RHS in 2005 and went to LMU in California. Out of all of them, Cedar Hill was probably my favorite 🙂
Do you know the name of the boarding school that in the 1920s was on the site of what is now The Far Hills Mall?
Thanks,
Larry
The only school we recall is the Far Hills School that was built by the Schleys in the story. But that wasn’t in the mall area, but on the Fairgrounds. Was pre-1920.