2021 Year In Review – Mr. Local History’s Top 10 Stories

For your consideration……

Late December and early January are great times to reflect on the year passed and stories that presented themselves. The Mr. Local History Project looks back at the top 10 stories uncovered for 2021 based on reviews made by the editorial board. Don’t get us wrong, we love all of the stories that were researched or recommended by our readership. 2021 was also a growing year for the Mr. Local History Project as our trustees expanded along with our coverage.

This year marked a start to stories not only in the Somerset Hills of northern Somerset County, New Jersey, but we now have stories from Westfield, Cranford, Newark, Keyport and are continuing to expand across New Jersey covering local history stories that opens our eyes to the great local history in New Jersey. Here’s to looking back to 2021 and to an even better dive into our collective local history in 2022.

Top 10 Stories for 2021

Basking Ridge High School Dropout Billionaire Jared Isaacman Goes to Outer Space for Charity

Basking Ridge Christmas Eve Sing Returns for its 98th edition even with Omicron

The Peapack Ski Tow – One of the first skiing areas in New Jersey

The 100th Running of the Far Hills Race Meeting & the Mr. Local History Exclusive Keepsake

Remembering the 20th Anniversary of the 911 attacks and Family Updates

The Largest Antique Truck Collection in the World is in Basking Ridge

Honoring the 100th Anniversary of Far Hills, New Jersey – Get a Limited Edition Keepsake

New Jersey’s Best Diner Award and Keepsake Presented by Mr. Local History Project

Three New Jersey Movie Theaters We Almost Lost to Covid-19. MLH Keepsakes Preserve Their History

Cataloging Sears Roebuck & Kit Homes in the Somerset Hills

Retrospective: Westfield’s Iconic Jolly Trolley – A town hangout that has never been matched or replaced.

2021 Mr. Local History Project Achievements

Thanks everyone for a great year studying, presenting, and sharing local history across New Jersey. Here’s what was accomplished:

• Far Hills 100^th Anniversary – Map Giveaway
• #growlocalhistoryproject – Free sunflower seeds program
• Five Mr. Local History Online Magazines
• History Makers High School Teens Program
• Scholarship Donation Gifts – Give a Donation / Get a Gift Program
• Walking Tour of Historic Basking Ridge Village – LIVE
• Lamington House Bedminster – New Jersey Historic Village Wooden Collectible
• Honoring NJ Diners – New Jersey Historic Village Wooden Collectible
• Presbyterian Church Westfield NJ– New Jersey Historic Village Wooden Collectible
• Mindowaskin Park Westfield NJ – New Jersey Historic Village Wooden Collectible
• Rialto Theater Westfield NJ – New Jersey Historic Village Wooden Collectible
• Cranford Canoe Club – Cranford NJ – New Jersey Historic Village Wooden Collectible
• Cranford Cinema– Cranford NJ – New Jersey Historic Village Wooden Collectible
• Bernardsville Cinema – Bernardsville NJ – New Jersey Historic Village Wooden Collectible
• Jeroloman’s General Store – Bernardsville NJ – New Jersey Historic Village Wooden Collectible
• Lyons VA – Bernards Township NJ – New Jersey Historic Village Wooden Collectible
• Vealtown Tavern – Bernardsville, NJ – New Jersey Historic Village Wooden Collectible
• Education Programs – Bernards Township 3^rd Grade Zoom Education presentations
• Scholarship – $500 award to Pari Mandalapu of Ridge High School
• Small Business Saturday Participant
• Giving Tuesday Participant
• Haunted Walking Tour of Basking Ridge Village – LIVE
• #GivingTuesday participant
• Trustee Brooks Betz appointed as official Bernards Township, NJ historian
• Festival of Trees participant EEC Somerset County – HisTrees MysTrees
• Make a Wish Giving Tree – Ridge Dentistry
• Aerial Drone Program – Historic venue imaging
• BRBA Winter Market & Tree Lighting
• Year End Giving Campaign – Community Support for MLH Scholarships

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Did you have a 2021 Favorite?

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