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.
Winter – New Year – More Area History
Top 25 of 2025 – Mr. Local History Year in Review
Views: 286 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…
1776 Delaware Crossing – Did You Know There were Three Crossings?
Views: 194 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…
Ring In America 250 with Jersey History Flair
Views: 365 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…
America 250 – The Mr. Local History Way
Views: 4,036 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…
Year End Giving Campaign – Support Local History
Views: 207 Mr. Local History Needs Local Financial Support When you support the Mr Local History Project, you help preserve the stories that no one else is saving. We gather research, document social history, capture memories the community asks us…
Peapack Ski Tow and Ski Areas Lost in New Jersey
Views: 10,065 The Peapack Ski Tow was One of the First Ski Businesses in New Jersey At one time, New Jerseyans had their pick of a dozen or so smaller hills where beginners could get a feel for the sport…
Remembering New Year’s TV Marathons/Binge Blocks
Views: 10,597 Well, while Netflix releases the long-anticipated Stranger Things finale on Dec 31 at ~8 p.m. ET (not a marathon but a big watch event), you don’t want to move from the couch because it’s New Year’s Day. Don’t…
Snowstorm Memories and Sledding in Somerset County New Jersey
Views: 9,552 Snow is an interesting thing. Some love it. Some hate it. But when there’s a major storm in the area, there’s the battle between getting a snow day and whether to play in it or dread removing it.…
Jersey Comfort Food – Mapping The Best of the Best!
Views: 26,240 UPDATED: Januar 1, 2026 Welcome to Lots of Jersey Comfort Food Maps, a delicious celebration of the places that define New Jersey one plate at a time. From classic roadside diners and neon lit institutions to neighborhood spots…
Our Readers’ Top 10 MLH Posts this Week
Latest Posts
- Cockfighting in the Somerset Hills – How Times Have Changed
Views: 267 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 to be… Read More »Cockfighting in the Somerset Hills – How Times Have Changed - New Jersey America 250 Events Calendar
Views: 664 “It’s the most extensive America 250 Events Calendar we’ve seen for New Jersey.Thanks for putting this together. “ This free statewide calendar is open to all New Jersey organizers to share America 250 related events happening across the Garden State. From local history programs and reenactments to lectures festivals school events and community… Read More »New Jersey America 250 Events Calendar - What Might Have Happened if General Lee Wasn’t Captured in Basking Ridge
Views: 366 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 few quiet… 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: 286 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, statewide history… 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: 25,828 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 to recent… 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: 194 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 Delaware River… Read More »1776 Delaware Crossing – Did You Know There were Three Crossings?
- Ring In America 250 with Jersey History Flair
Views: 365 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 New Jersey… Read More »Ring In America 250 with Jersey History Flair - America 250 – The Mr. Local History WayViews: 4,036 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 the American… Read More »America 250 – The Mr. Local History Way
- America’s 250th Anniversary is Here – Looking Back at the Bicentennial… Jersey Style
Views: 3,524 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 to look… Read More »America’s 250th Anniversary is Here – Looking Back at the Bicentennial… Jersey Style - Insights: General Charles Lee’s Capture at Widow White’s Tavern in Basking Ridge & Washington’s Delaware Crossing Impact
Views: 1,965 December 13, 1776, stands as the most electrifying day in Basking Ridge’s history, when the sleepy colonial crossroads suddenly became the center of the Revolution. At dawn, the infamous capture of General Charles Lee sent shockwaves through Washington’s struggling army and the entire young nation. British dragoons thundered down the roads, militia scrambled… Read More »Insights: General Charles Lee’s Capture at Widow White’s Tavern in Basking Ridge & Washington’s Delaware Crossing Impact - Year End Giving Campaign – Support Local History
Views: 207 Mr. Local History Needs Local Financial Support When you support the Mr Local History Project, you help preserve the stories that no one else is saving. We gather research, document social history, capture memories the community asks us to remember, and share the stories that define our towns. We live it, we preserve… Read More »Year End Giving Campaign – Support Local History - Happenings On Christmas Eve: Our Hometown of Basking Ridge is Buzzing!
So much is going on around our beautiful home base in the Somerset Hills of New Jersey, especially in Basking Ridge. Come check it out. - Want To Be Part of Jersey’s History? Partner with Mr. Local History
Views: 213 Are you a Historic Property that Wants to be Part of the New Jersey Historic Cat’s Meow Wooden Village Collection? How Do These Jersey Icons Make It to the Jersey Collection? Many historic properties want to be included in the collection. A few requirements exist to get nominated, but it’s a wonderful way… Read More »Want To Be Part of Jersey’s History? Partner with Mr. Local History - Mr. Local History’s 1 Millionth Visitor – Was It You?
Views: 1,004 Mr. Local History’s 1 Millionth Visitor If you were the 1 millionth Visitor and grab a screenshot with our homepage at 1,000,000 – send it in. We’ll reward you with special gift and recognition. So come back and visit again and again. Send screenshot Here What better way to kick off the historic… Read More »Mr. Local History’s 1 Millionth Visitor – Was It You? - Wreaths Across America – Saturday, December 13
Views: 82 The Mr. Local History Project Volunteers will be at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church and the Somerset Hills Cemetery in Basking Ridge this Saturday, December 13, 2025. If you’re in the area and would like to help, please feel free to stop by sometime after 12 pm. Wreaths Across America will return to… Read More »Wreaths Across America – Saturday, December 13 - Widow White’s Tavern Series – A Basking Ridge American History Moment
Views: 533 December 13, 1776, stands as the most electrifying day in Basking Ridge’s history, when the sleepy colonial crossroads suddenly became the center of the Revolution. At dawn, the infamous capture of General Charles Lee sent shockwaves through Washington’s struggling army and the entire young nation. British dragoons thundered down the roads, militia scrambled… Read More »Widow White’s Tavern Series – A Basking Ridge American History Moment - December 13, 1776 – Basking Ridge , New Jersey Altered American History
Views: 9,112 The world might have had a different look if it weren’t for this day’s event.December 13, 1776 in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Basking Ridge, New Jersey’s most famous incident, occurred on December 13, 1776, at about noon. General Charles Lee (1731-1782) was “alarmed” by Major Wilkinson while writing a letter to General Gates… Read More »December 13, 1776 – Basking Ridge , New Jersey Altered American History
The Mr. Local History 2025 Holiday Shopping Guide / Magazine
See our quarterly digital magazine. Full of great local Jersey History.