News and articles of historic interest from the official Bernards Township historian.
Views: 2,450 The Mr. Local History Project honors the former Bernards Township’s historian June Kennedy showcasing our “June in December” tree honoring her dedication to community and local history. The Festival of Trees is an indoor exhibit of decorated Christmas… Read More »“June in December” Tree Honors June Kennedy at Festival of Trees in Basking Ridge
Views: 6,335 As we’ve been focusing on preserving and promoting local history, out of left field comes one of my most humbling honors when the Bernards Township Committee on October 29, 2019 passed a resolution appointing him as the official… Read More »Bernards Township Appoints Mr. Local History as Official Historian
Views: 12,455 The Patriot of Liberty Corner “Those who would give up liberty for safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Benjamin Franklin. “Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.” Thomas Jefferson Welcome to Irwin… Read More »The Life of Irwin Richardt
Views: 9,862 We lost 2019 to Charter Day to storms.We lost 2020 Charter Day to Covid-19. Now we lost 2021 Charter Day to Covid-19 AGAIN! Get ready for a fun filled street fair and festival on Saturday, May 15, 2021… Read More »Bernards Township Charter Day – May 15, 2021 CANCELLED
Views: 9,141 The Grain House: 1768-2018 Congratulations to the Grain House Restaurant for celebrating its 250th anniversary as a structure in the Franklin Corners section of Bernards Township, New Jersey. Mr. Local History congratulates the historic Grain House as it… Read More »Historic Grain House in Bernards Township Marks 250th Anniversary
Views: 4,801 We’ve been testing out a new piece of technology and wanted to share with our community. The project is to compliment what has traditionally been a guided walking tour in Basking Ridge. We’re thinking of hiring one of… Read More »Virtual Tour of Historic Basking Ridge Village
Views: 14,460 One of the most iconic historic properties in the Somerset Hills is an English Tudor style estate that sits atop a high ridge in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township. Built in 1912, this Basking Ridge landmark… Read More »Historic 1912 Bernards Township Town Hall – The Astor Estate in Basking Ridge
Views: 7,782 2019 – Honoring New Jersey’s Bernards Township Police Department’s 100th Anniversary. 50 Photos in Less Than 6 Minutes On April 10, 2019, the Bernards Township Police Department will be celebrating 100 years serving the local community. From their… Read More »Bernards Township Police Department Celebrates 100 Years of Service
Views: 9,015 Before I begin this post, I must say that this topic was one of my favorites, along with June Kennedy, our Basking Ridge Town historian who passed away in November 2018. We often challenged each other to dig… Read More »The History of Bernards Township Street Names
Views: 4,931 Somerset Historic Village Collection Welcomes #4 – the 1871 Washington House. Inaugural Run is Available Now (Online ONLY) Amazing that it’s been two years since we launched the Historic Somerset Hills Village collection in partnership with the Cat’s… Read More »The Washington House
Views: 10,613 On June 10, 2017 the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church (BRPC) celebrated its 300th anniversary with a town wide parade from Ridge High School down Finley Avenue to the iconic church off the Basking Ridge village green. Given this great… Read More »The History of Worship in Basking Ridge
Views: 21,237 As with all Mr. Local History retrospectives, we often update the post when we learn stories and are sent photos from our internet community. We will continue to grow this piece as information becomes available. If you have a… Read More »Retrospective: Meryl Streep Was From Basking Ridge BEFORE Bernardsville
Views: 14,366 NOTE: As with all Mr. Local History retrospectives, we often update the post when we learn stories and are sent photos from our community. We will continue to grow this piece as information becomes available. History is a strange… Read More »Finding the Truth About the KKK in Basking Ridge & the Somerset Hills
If you’ve been touched by the story of the Basking Ridge Historic Oak Tree’s 600-year history, you have to see this new book. “The Historic Basking Ridge Oak Tree Project” is a compilation of the area’s children from Kindergarten through High School who have written or drawn pictures of one of the most historic trees in America.
The Basking Ridge Historic Oak Tree Project is one of the most heartwarming books ever made to celebrate the life and history of the 619 year oak tree that was lost in 2017. It’ll pull on your heart strings.
Meg Wastie, Historic Oak Tree Project coordinator
The Basking Ridge Historic Oak Tree Project sought kindergarten through high school students to participate in The Historical Society of Somerset Hills “Tree Views” writing contest and the William Annin Tree Shirt Contest & Fundraiser. The essay premise was that students would write as if they were the historic oak and describe events they felt notable. Every school in Bernards Township participated, including Cedar Hill School, Liberty Corner School, Mount Prospect School, Oak Street School, William Annin Middle School, Ridge High School, St. James Catholic School, and one from the Assumption School. The tree shirt contest raised over $5440 in selling tee shirts while the Historical Society presented a $500 scholarship to the high school essay winner.
Below are a few examples from the 145-page collection of stories and images of the Great White Oak of Basking Ridge (Click Images to enlarge):
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The inaugural run of the book became available on Thursday, June 8, 2017, starting at 7 p.m. at the Tree Views Essay Reception at the historic Westminster Hall at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, next to where the historic oak lived. Over 100 guests attended the release, where authors and artists read their essays. A book signing followed, which was one of the most touching events we’ve ever seen.
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Related Local History
Views: 40,930 Noted High Society Playboy and Titanic Survivor Brings Notoriety to Bernards Township. It’s a fun story, but you have to hang in there. First, we must provide a little background about John’s father, who didn’t survive the Titanic… Read More »Titanic Survivor Astor and Basking Ridge