Welcome to the Mr. Local History Project
“A 501c3 Non-Profit Dedicated to Preserving and Promoting Jersey History with a Social Twist”
As 2025 kicks off, the Mr. Local History Project starts off the new year here with our story from New Jersey’s Vailsburg section of Newark
and a fascinating story featuring Speed Kings, Daredevils, an Electric Park, and The Olmsted Brothers Landscaping.
Featured Stories
This Week’s Top 10 Posts
Latest Research
- Finding New Jersey’s Giant Pizzas
Views: 304 People keep asking us why a non-profit is dedicated to researching New Jersey history and building food maps. The short answer is that history has what we call threads. We start researching one thing, which leads to another. We know there’s gotta be a history story in there, and we’ll just have to… Read More »Finding New Jersey’s Giant Pizzas - Top 10 Trending Posts Right Now Mr. Local History
Views: 1,185 499 Posts Honoring Jersey History “We keep on researchin’ “ Top Weekly MLH Reads Top History All Time #5 Post – All Time #4 Post – All Time #3 Post All Time #2 Post – All Time #1 Post – All Time Additional Stories: Mr. Local History’s #growlocalhistory Project December 13, 1776 –… Read More »Top 10 Trending Posts Right Now Mr. Local History - Warren was Bernards Township Then March 5, 1806 Happened
Views: 585 Bridgewater was chartered in 1749, and Bernards Township was chartered in 1760. After the Revolutionary War, no Royal Charters were issued, so you had to incorporate through a vote in the New Jersey legislature after submitting a petition to separate. That day became official on Thursday, March 5, 1806, when Warren Township became… Read More »Warren was Bernards Township Then March 5, 1806 Happened - George Washington’s Society of the Cincinnati Medal Sells for $5,300,000
Views: 4,779 The Society of the Cincinnati was founded in 1783 by officers of the Continental Army and their French counterparts after the American Revolution. Its purpose was to promote the ideals of liberty, democracy, and friendship, ensuring that the sacrifices of veterans were not forgotten. Named after the Roman statesman Cincinnatus, who relinquished power… Read More »George Washington’s Society of the Cincinnati Medal Sells for $5,300,000 - Wearing Lost Jersey Local History Newark Collection
Views: 66 Mr Local History loves history with a social twist. In fact, it’s our motto! So we thought how fun it would be to share some of the most loved Newark, New Jersey businesses and famous history. We started researching and putting our artists to work to recreate an offering of vintage retro merchandise… Read More »Wearing Lost Jersey Local History Newark Collection - Newark New Jersey’s Incredible Velodrome and Motordrome Racing Venues
Views: 438 PREVIEW RELEASE:Our researchers continue to work with this story as there are several conflicting points of view we want to continue researching. We will update over the next few weeks, but we wanted to let people see this preview in case they’d like to write us. Jersey Lost Racetrack Series Vailsburg’s First Velodrome,… Read More »Newark New Jersey’s Incredible Velodrome and Motordrome Racing Venues - Top 10 Most Historic Businesses in the Somerset Hills, New Jersey
Views: 23,224 Whether you’re a banker, national political figure, CEO, or farmer, the Somerset Hills has provided commercial opportunities for centuries. From C. Ledyard Blair and Jackie Kennedy to Secretary of State Cyrus Vance and Charles Pfizer, the Somerset Hills business community has served up commerce in a classic fashion. There’s no mistake that the… Read More »Top 10 Most Historic Businesses in the Somerset Hills, New Jersey - Keepsakes: Preserving Cranford New Jersey’s History – Collectibles Coming in 2025
Views: 133 Honoring Cranford’s History with Three New Cranford Keepsakes in 2025 The Mr. Local History Project (MLH) has been preserving and promoting local history since our non-profit organization was established in 2019. The all-volunteer group started a wooden miniature keepsake program to share history and artwork in partnership with the world-famous Cat’s Meow Village… Read More »Keepsakes: Preserving Cranford New Jersey’s History – Collectibles Coming in 2025 - President’s Letter – 2024 Year in Review
Views: 50 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. 2024 Annual Report This annual report has been approved by the Board of Trustees and… Read More »President’s Letter – 2024 Year in Review - Mr. Local History Project’s Top 25 Stories for 2024
Views: 424 The Mr. Local History Project looks back at the top 25 researched stories posted for the year 2024. This year was a funny twist as readers worldwide again wanted to know a few classic sayings about the cold. Were any of the #MLHTOP25 the ones you enjoyed? Please take a look back, give… Read More »Mr. Local History Project’s Top 25 Stories for 2024 - History: The Cranford Hotel That’s NOT a Hotel
Views: 6,524 If you’ve ever been to Cranford, New Jersey, there are two places you have to go to: the Cranford Canoe Club, which epitomizes what is known as the “Venice of New Jersey,” close to the Cranford Hotel. Situated just south of the town trestle below the railroad tracks, the Cranford Hotel has been… Read More »History: The Cranford Hotel That’s NOT a Hotel - Keepsakes: Preserving Basking Ridge New Jersey history is a Treasure
Views: 65 The collection serves two purposes: The first purpose is to create an iconic local image with the history on the back. The second reason is so you can “share history with a social twist,” meaning you will hopefully share this keepsake in your home or office for others to see. Hence, you’ll become… Read More »Keepsakes: Preserving Basking Ridge New Jersey history is a Treasure - 2025 News: KMS Farmstead in Basking Ridge To Be Honored with Painted Wooden Collectible
Views: 46 Celebrating the rich history of the Kennedy Martin Stelle Farmstead, this iconic Basking Ridge farm is honored with this beautiful wooden hand-painted collectible as part of the New Jersey Historic Village Cat’s Meow wooden keepsake collection. Beautifully handcrafted wood, hand-painted edges, and a beautifully hand-painted rendering. The back of the keepsake includes the… Read More »2025 News: KMS Farmstead in Basking Ridge To Be Honored with Painted Wooden Collectible - Live Stream 2024 UPDATE – Basking Ridge Community Sing On the Green
The town of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, welcomes its 100th anniversary Christmas Eve Sing on The Town Green at 7pm on Dec. 24, 2023. The town’s residents, friends, and guests gather to sing traditional carols and celebrate local history, documented by the Mr. Local History Project. - Keepsakes: Preserving Westfield New Jersey history is a Treasure
Views: 150 The Governor of New Jersey’s Historic Village has been working to preserve and promote Westfield, New Jersey’s history with what we call “history with a social twist.” The simple truth is we partnered with the world-famous Cat’s Meow Village to create historical memories of Westfield while adding the history of those icons on… Read More »Keepsakes: Preserving Westfield New Jersey history is a Treasure - VOTE for Jersey’s #1 Pizza Place
Views: 59 Many critics say New Jersey might have the best pizza places in America. Being from New Jersey, we can’t disagree. Why there would be any Dominos, Pizza Huts or Pappa Johns is beyond comprehension. Now it’s your turn to tell what is Jersey’s #1 Pizza place to represent the great pizza state of… Read More »VOTE for Jersey’s #1 Pizza Place - Keepsake: Wildwood Arrives to NJ Historic Wooden Village Collection Just In Time for Gift Giving
Views: 515 Ahhhhhhhh……those Wildwood Days are ready to give for the holidays! A monumental new keepsake collectible from the Mr. Local History Project. The Mayor of New Jersey’s Historic Village recently decreed that a new icon be added to the New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Collection in a bold move to expand the only set… Read More »Keepsake: Wildwood Arrives to NJ Historic Wooden Village Collection Just In Time for Gift Giving - Wearing Lost Jersey Businesses is Fun History
Views: 1,837 Mr Local History loves history with a social twist. In fact, it’s our motto! So we thought how fun it would be to share some of the most loved New Jersey businesses that have disappeared. We started researching and putting our artists to work to recreate an offering of vintage retro clothing and… Read More »Wearing Lost Jersey Businesses is Fun History
Recent Comments
When I was 11 or 12, Bobby Thomson came to the Little League fields for opening day. I think he…
I had the honor of being an usher in a wedding where Bobby Thomson was a guest. All the Groomsmen…
My dad and his brother worked at the Clark White Diamond location in 1960-1962. They farmed with their dad in…
I remember a time when it seemed like there was a milk machine on every city block. I lived in…
FCS stands for Fox Chase Stables.
I only just read the document on the development of Meadowbrook Farm. Roberta would, for sure, know everything as she…
Regarding comment of Thomas King January 25, 2022 at 7:44 am What is FCS? One of the two men who…
Growing up in Green Village (Chatham Twp), I remember my parents telling us kids one time in the car when…
Thx – also looking for Newark Velodrome hero Frank Kramer’s Cadillac ad that stated “Even Frank Kramer Drives a Cadillac.”
I will post an article from September 7th when Eric Hasha refused to race at Vailsburg BEFORE his fatal accident.
I opened Freddys with Mike Lyons and was a close friend till he passed away in 2005. I was his…
What ever happened to the antique horse drawn sleigh that was always placed on the green next to the tree…
God, how I used to love marathons. “Binge watching,” for some reason, just isn’t the same. I mean, it is…
Margie’s also used to have a chocolate chip cookie dough crumb cake. My mom would always buy 2 – my…
But someone else told us this tidbit: Pindaros Roy Vagelos, M.D. was the CEO and Chairman of the Board of…
B & W Hackensack My favorite for at least 70 odd years, hands down over any other crumb cake I’ve…
The New York Candy Kitchen-(173 E. Broad Street near corner of Elm and E.Broad) and the successor Westfield Candy Kitchen…
My parents began Margie’s, and my mom was Margie. The first shop was in Mountainside around 1950; then they built…
My Mom was Margie of Margie’s Cake Box. She and my Dad opened the first bakery around 1950 and he…
Jersey History Posts
Jersey history – over 450 researched stories.
From Fort Lee to Cape May and everywhere in between.
Take a look.
“Wear Lost Local History” Collection
Brings Back Memories
MLH has digitally recreated lost businesses from the 1900s to the 1980s, producing over 250 designs of iconic vintage logos.
Click Here
Stories, Stories, and More Stories
Researched by Mr. Local History himself, see over ten years of research on the internet to share the history.
The Mr. Local History 2024 Holiday Magazine
See our quarterly digital magazine for FREE. Full of great local Jersey History.
Events Calendar
Signature Events, Tours, Fundraisers, and Speaking engagements.
The New Jersey Historic Village Wooden Collection
35 iconic local Jersey Collectibles made exclusively for the Mr. Local History Project by the world famous “Cat’s Meow Village” of Wooster, Ohio. Once they sell out, they’re usually gone forever.
Like Historic Photos?
Over the years our researchers have gathered some great historic photos. Take a look as we “Dig In the Archives”
“I love sharing stories about the history of Jersey food. If one thing people miss when they leave Jersey, it’s the food. We dig in!”
Brooks Betz aka Mr. Local History
“What is the point of being alive if you don’t know history?”
Meg Wastie – Education Team Lead
“The Mr. Local History Project covers some really unique stuff. I mean who digs into the history of Jersey Food? MLH does”
Ms. Paula Axt – Tour Guide and Education
Frequently Asked Questions
The Mr. Local History Project is a 100% volunteer organization. Want to join us? No problem. There are no membership fees, and you only need to support one of our efforts. Programs include education, research, guided tours, or one of our many events.. You can even start something of your own. Visit our Contact Us page and drop us a note to get involved.
No, but we are a 501c3 registered charity non-profit, meaning you can donate to the Mr. Local History Project, and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Every penny goes back into our programs.
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We did retrieve it, and it’s sitting in the barn at the Wagner Farm Arboretum. Mayor Lisa Lontai has made…