News and articles of historic interest from the official Bernards Township historian.
Views: 13,550 On April 24-26, 2017 the New Jersey town of Basking Ridge lost its oldest resident, the Basking Ridge historic white oak tree. What was estimated to be over 600 years old, no one ever imagined that the tree… Read More »Comparing Basking Ridge’s Oak to the World’s Oldest Trees
Views: 10,567 Update: February 16, 2024 – Thanks to you all, the BOE has taken the name change for William Annin Middle School off the docket. Your voices made a difference. January 22, 2024 – It seems that the Bernards… Read More »The Annins of Liberty Corner: Patriots, Flag Company and a Middle School
Views: 8,960 On the internet, we’ve created the #3LOCALHISTORYEVENTCHALLENGE, where you share your town’s three most historic events. As the historian for Bernards Township, representing Bernards Towns#hip and its four hamlets is a great honor. We’re always looking for ways… Read More »Three Historic Moments That Changed Basking Ridge & America
Views: 8,688 It’s an age-old question, and the internet didn’t know the answer. So the Mr. Local History Project went digging. Why was Bernardsville once called Vealtown? Our research started with a post on social media because, yes, there are… Read More »Retrospective: Why Bernardsville was Once Called Vealtown
Views: 1,895 We’d love your opinion on Basking Ridge, Liberty Corner, Lyons, and West Millington. What are Bernards Township’s most historic icons? We’d like to hear what you have to say. We’re curious to know what you think. We’ve called… Read More »Vote for Bernards Township’s Most Historic Icons
Views: 7,235 In a year filled with challenge and heartache the Mr. Local History brought a little holiday cheer by presenting their #cardsforvets, a program that connected the community with local veterans. Cards for Veterans were presented at the Lyons… Read More »Holiday Cards for Veterans -#cardsforvets
Views: 4,783 Americans think the Biden/Trump election was one for the ages, exposing huge ideological beliefs, highly charged politics, and a fight for American values. Looking back at history, most people know the presidential challenges as the country tore apart… Read More »America’s First Republican Vice President Nominee – Basking Ridge’s William Dayton Beats out Abraham Lincoln
Views: 11,766 Phareloch castle has its own road that still cuts thru the Liberty Corner woods in case the fire company needs to get there. Sadly, one night the fire department didn’t make it. With certain Mr. Local History stories,… Read More »Lore: Bill Beatty and the Haunted Phareloch Castle
Views: 4,955 Recorded Friday, October 30, 2020 Join the Mr. Local History Project as we welcome award winning journalist and Walking Dead actor Matt Ryan and filmmaker Will Cook as they share the creation of their film HAUNTED ROOTS,… Read More »Haunted Roots – The Horror Tale of the Devil Tree in Central New Jersey
Views: 6,342 What started on Labor Day weekend in 1949 will hold a place in many local residents’ hearts as one of the biggest and best community annual events held over Labor Day weekend. We take a look back at… Read More »Retrospective: The Acclaimed Kiwanis Community Fair in Basking Ridge
Views: 1,882 Note: The survey and petition are simple. Nothing changes except we start including the term “Historic” moving forward as we promote our town and its historic hamlets. No changes to town historic districts, no additional property taxes, no… Read More »Bernards Twp, Basking Ridge, Liberty Corner Survey Question
Views: 4,552 July is national ice cream month, so it’s time for Mr. Local History’s look back at the history, the good fun (and some “good humor”). NOTE: As with all Mr. Local History retrospectives, we often update the post… Read More »Reflection: Ice Cream around Somerset Hills
Views: 4,274 The Lord Stirling Park including the Lord Stirling Stable (LSS) in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township is part of the Somerset County Parks Commission in Somerset County. NOTE: As with all Mr. Local History retrospectives, we… Read More »What’s to Happen with Lord Stirling Stable and its Park?
Views: 12,942 The Lyons Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital Historic District, currently known as the Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, Lyons Campus, is located at 151 Knollcroft Road, approximately 2.5 miles southwest of the village of Basking Ridge in… Read More »The Lyons, New Jersey VA Campus & Historic District
Views: 2,442 Join us as the Mr. Local History Project wants everyone to share history. Color the image and place in your window this Memorial Day to honor all of the heroes we’ve lost. Or Download the PDF file. We… Read More »Coloring History