Welcome to the Mr. Local History Project
“A 501c3 Non-Profit Dedicated to Preserving and Promoting Jersey History with a Social Twist”
Mr. Local History is about bringing America’s past into the present through the stories of real places, real people, and real communities. Focused especially on New Jersey, the project celebrates local history in a way that feels personal, engaging, and relevant not something locked away in textbooks, but history that lives where we live. As we head into 2026, the 250th anniversary of the United States, Mr. Local History is turning history into a shared experience. With a social twist, this is about connecting online and in the community, sharing memories, spotlighting hometown stories, and honoring New Jersey’s outsized role in America’s founding. It is history you can explore, share, and be part of together.
Our Readers’ Top 10 MLH Posts this Week
MLH Loves To See The Public Engaged….. The Latest Comments
Here’s some info from a local FB page: Posted in You Know Your’re from Basking Ridge FB Group…. Jayna Rydzinski I…
This is fantastic. The Tuskegee airmen have been something in interested in. I have about 5 historical prints of the…
In the summer of 1971 I was 14 years old. From my earliest memories I felt I was really a…
We lived across the street at 262 No Maple (we lived in a converted barn that was part of the…
I had Paul Grossman as a music teacher from 1st grade at Maple Ave. School , then at Cedar Hill…
All the great classical music and literature that we were introduced to was in his/her class. I loved when he/she…
I lived on old dutch road 1964 to 1986 next road heading south on rt 206. We went there many…
I had Paul Grossman in 7th grade at Oak Street Junior High School. He seemed like any other teacher. If…
I was too young to have had her as a teacher, but older siblings did… my understanding from what I…
Latest Posts
- Mr. Local History Research That Surprised Even Us
Views: 131 Create PDF For 5 years and more than 650 posts, Mr Local History has been telling the stories of Basking Ridge, the Somerset Hills, Somerset County, and eventually communities across New Jersey. What started local grew wider, but the goal stayed the same to uncover, document, and share the history hiding in plain… Read More »Mr. Local History Research That Surprised Even Us - Droning History Over New Jersey
Views: 614 Create PDF Chasing Jersey History – Droning over the Years Full list of towns, sites, and date at the end of this post. NEWS: Our Drone Took a Hard Fall / Help MLH Get Back in the Air We are sad to share that our aerial history photography program has hit an unexpected… Read More »Droning History Over New Jersey - Bernards Township History: The Asian Origins Initiative
Views: 5,894 Create PDF UPDATE: January 19, 2026 A few researchers at the Mr. Local History Project are looking for a few Chinese and Indian residents interested in tracing the roots of these two growing communities in Bernards Township to the first families to become Basking Ridge residents. Strong ties to the local community will… Read More »Bernards Township History: The Asian Origins Initiative - Basking Ridge’s “Rushmore 5” Ladies Honored
Views: 1,169 Create PDF MLH Mini-Series: The Basking Ridge Rushmore 5 Female Edition Now It’s the Ladies Turn…The Basking Ridge Ladies Rushmore 5 Okay, so I live in Basking Ridge, which is part of Bernards Township, but we all refer to it as Basking Ridge, right? Now, I believe that history has to be over… Read More »Basking Ridge’s “Rushmore 5” Ladies Honored - The Paula Grossman Story – 50+ Years Later Forever in Basking Ridge History
Views: 1,741 Create PDF Paula Grossman’s dismissal from the Bernards Township school system in the early 1970s is widely regarded as one of the first public cases of transgender discrimination in American public employment. A tenured music teacher removed not for misconduct but for identity, her case was debated openly, litigated through state courts, and… Read More »The Paula Grossman Story – 50+ Years Later Forever in Basking Ridge History - America 250: The Flag Design & Jersey’s Involvement
Views: 307 Create PDF Mr. Local History finds itself back partnering with a New Jersey iconic business that has been one of the most historic in American History. As we expanded our Gift Shop collection with America 250 flags, it’s no surprise that it’s all being done by the Annin Flag Company, who’s family got… Read More »America 250: The Flag Design & Jersey’s Involvement - Griffin & Howe Bernardsville – America’s Outfitter Hidden in a Small Jersey Town
Views: 561 Create PDF Griffin & Howe’s Bernardsville Story How an American Institution Took Root For generations, the quiet streets of Bernardsville were home to one of the most respected names in American sporting arms. Griffin & Howe was not simply a gun shop. It was a destination. Hunters, sportsmen, collectors, and craftsmen understood that… Read More »Griffin & Howe Bernardsville – America’s Outfitter Hidden in a Small Jersey Town - Basking Ridge’s Rushmore 5 Ladies Deserving Recognition
Views: 867 Create PDF MLH Mini-Series: The Basking Ridge Rushmore 5 in our Community UPDATE:Our researchers have been watching this post carefully and have finally made the decision and create the Basking Ridge Rushmore 5 for five women that made and continue to make Basking Ridge such a great, historic, and beautiful community to live… Read More »Basking Ridge’s Rushmore 5 Ladies Deserving Recognition - Cockfighting in the Somerset Hills – How Times Have Changed
Views: 496 Create PDF Picture a country barn set back from the road. Cars parked along a tree line, never too close together. Men arriving quietly, some local, others from out of town. Inside, cages line the walls and a small pit sits at the center. Cash changes hands. Bottles are passed. Someone always seems… Read More »Cockfighting in the Somerset Hills – How Times Have Changed - New Jersey America 250 Events Calendar
Views: 1,468 Create PDF “It’s the most extensive America 250 Events Calendar we’ve seen for New Jersey.Thanks for putting this together. “ BOOKMARK this Site and Come Back Often – Updated Daily This free statewide calendar is open to all New Jersey organizers to share America 250 related events happening across the Garden State. From… Read More »New Jersey America 250 Events Calendar - What Might Have Happened if General Lee Wasn’t Captured in Basking Ridge
Views: 486 Create PDF In December 1776 the American rebellion was close to collapse. The Continental Army was shrinking as enlistments expired and morale sank to its lowest point of the war. British forces held New York and expected the uprising to simply fade away with the coming winter. What happened next hinged on a… Read More »What Might Have Happened if General Lee Wasn’t Captured in Basking Ridge - The Missing Marlboro Man From Basking Ridge
Yes folks there was a Marlboro Man who lived atop Schley Mountain in Bernards Township (Basking Ridge) Now we need the community’s help. - Top 25 of 2025 – Mr. Local History Year in Review
Views: 327 Create PDF 2025 Research in Review 2025 was a big year for the Mr. Local History Project. It marked our 5th year in operation and a milestone we’re incredibly proud of reaching our one millionth visitor. What started as a simple passion for telling New Jersey’s stories has grown into a well respected,… Read More »Top 25 of 2025 – Mr. Local History Year in Review - Daytona 500 Ticket Price History – 2026 – Holding Tight in a Less Inflationary Economy
Views: 26,646 Create PDF 2026 Daytona 500 Update January 2, 2026 – As of now, official announcements have not yet been made for the 2026 Daytona 500 pre race concert, National Anthem singer, or honorary starter, with those ceremonial details traditionally revealed closer to race week, though fans can expect expanded entertainment around Speedweeks similar… Read More »Daytona 500 Ticket Price History – 2026 – Holding Tight in a Less Inflationary Economy - President’s Letter – 2025 Year in Review
Our Mr. Local History Project Mission: To preserve and promote New Jersey’s local history with a social twist, as we are always looking to find new, fun ways to share stories about the great history of New Jersey. - 1776 Delaware Crossing – Did You Know There were Three Crossings?
Views: 252 Create PDF Watch a great video that shares the history of the Christmas Day crossing of the Continental Army and the surprise wins at Trenton and Princeton that built the confidence of men who would free the colonies from the tyranny of Britain’s King George III. There were 3 separate crossings of the… Read More »1776 Delaware Crossing – Did You Know There were Three Crossings? - Ring In America 250 with Jersey History Flair
Views: 418 Create PDF Ring in America’s 250th anniversary with Jersey style, a bold new collection created exclusively for New Jersey’s Mr. Local History Project. Honor the state’s deep roots, iconic places, and proud role in the nation’s 250th anniversary. Over 60 items, dozens of colors in every size imaginable. Get with the 250th with… Read More »Ring In America 250 with Jersey History Flair - America 250 – The Mr. Local History Way
Views: 4,282 Create PDF It’s time New Jersey – America is 250, and Our Jersey History helped make America the free country it is today. Join The Mr Local History Project as we celebrate all year long. New Jersey holds a central place in the story of American independence, earning its nickname “The Crossroads of… Read More »America 250 – The Mr. Local History Way - America’s 250th Anniversary is Here – Looking Back at the Bicentennial… Jersey Style
Views: 3,720 Create PDF It’s hard to believe the United States is beginning its 250th anniversary. That means it’s also been 50 years since the Bicentennial, and hopefully, almost everyone remembers that one. As this researcher was just 14 years old back in 1976, many things came to mind. As America begins 2026, we wanted… Read More »America’s 250th Anniversary is Here – Looking Back at the Bicentennial… Jersey Style
The Mr. Local History 2025 Holiday Shopping Guide / Magazine
See our quarterly digital magazine. Full of great local Jersey History.
Another nomination for women in Basking Ridge who made a difference. Anita Albers founded the Albrook School almost 50 years…