News and articles of historic interest from the official Bernards Township historian.
Views: 8,968 New Jersey Historical Wooden Keepsake Collection Welcomes the 1871 Washington House The iconic Washington House in Basking Ridge Village has a rich history dating back to 1871. At almost 150 years of age, the grand hotel still serves… Read More »The Washington House- A Basking Ridge Icon
Views: 24,474 As we look back at this story, we can’t believe that this year it’s only been 9 Years since our Basking Ridge Oak Tree came down. We love – We remember. It was on April 24-26, 2017, that… Read More »Basking Ridge’s Legendary Oak and the World’s Oldest Trees – A Tribute
Views: 23,121 You wouldn’t think it, but in a quiet suburb of New York City, a man has amassed what is often called the world’s largest collection of Mack and antique trucks. We introduce you to the Mahan Foundation of… Read More »Largest Antique Truck Collection in the World is in Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Views: 16,519 Lord Stirling, the Revolutionary War Buildings, the First Airmail, World Record Gliders, the Tuskegee Airmen, the VA, a proposed Super Airport, and more historic moments tie back to this small strip of land in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.… Read More »The Somerset Hills Airport in Basking Ridge – Lost but Not Forgotten
Views: 22,881 Flag Designer Betsy Ross and Her Basking Ridge Ties – Lore or Fact? “Here lies the woman who made the first banner containing the stars and stripes after that honored old ensign had been adopted, June 14, 1776.”July… Read More »Betsy Ross is Really Buried in Basking Ridge, New Jersey?
Views: 18,682 For the First Time in 64 Years, Fundraiser offers an Exclusive, Large Bernards Township Flag Made by the Annin Flag Company, the world’s largest and most prestigious flag maker. For the first time since 1960, an original Bernards… Read More »Flag Honors Bernards Township’s History & Available for First Time in 64 Years
Views: 14,369 “EVERYONE NEEDS TO GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT JOHN MORTON, THE REBEL BANKER.” John Morton was a Colonel in the Continental Army. Still, he relinquished his commission in 1761 to become a highly successful merchant, specializing in the… Read More »John Morton – General Washington’s Rebel Banker Stashed in Basking Ridge
Views: 5,552 You can learn a great deal of history by visiting a cemetery. NOTE: A quick reminder: Warren was part of Bernards Township until the 19th century, while Far Hills and Bernardsville were still part of Bernards Township up… Read More »Basking Ridge Evergreen Cemetery is a Living History Lesson
Views: 11,583 Cemeteries showcase some of history’s greatest reminders of where we came from. Many people new to the area are unaware of the local history until you trace it back to some of the originating families that chose this… Read More »Basking Ridge’s Oldest Cemetery
Views: 6,765 FRANCIS BERNARD, NEW JERSEY’S FORGOTTEN GOVERNOR SOCIAL MEDIA HISTORY SERIES The Mr. Local History Project hopes you’ve been following our Facebook series honoring the life of New Jersey Royal Governor Sir Francis Bernard, named for the towns of… Read More »Sir Francis Bernard History Series
Views: 26,215 International headlines were made on February 24, 1970, at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City when the first quintuplets were born using fertility drugs. Two months later, on April 27, 1970, Bill and Peggy Jo Kienast brought home their new… Read More »Where Are the Kienast Quintuplets from Liberty Corner – 50+ Years Later
Views: 1,935 Terms and Conditions to the new Provincial Governor if accepted. And YES, Bernard accepted. As the internet grows, so does the information. This piece is a transcribe of what is the job description for Francis Bernard, who was… Read More »New Jersey Provincial Governor – Francis Bernard’s Actual 1758 Job Description
Views: 6,213 NOTE: As with many 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. Mr. Local History… Read More »Honoring Black History Month in the Somerset Hills
Views: 13,584 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.… Read More »Snowstorm Records and Sledding in Somerset County New Jersey
Views: 43,538 The Devil Tree of Liberty Corner (Somerset County) Urban Legend 1 Devil Tree – The Tree and the Caretaker Me and my friends were all contemplating going up to the devil tree. I had been up there one… Read More »The Tale of Jersey’s Devil Tree
