Views: 13,727 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 619 years old, no one ever imagined that the tree would… Read More »Comparing Basking Ridge’s 619 Year Old Oak to the World’s Oldest Trees
Views: 184 The collection serves two purposes: The first purpose is to create an iconic local image with the history on the back. The second reason is so you can “share history with a social twist,” meaning you will hopefully… Read More »Keepsakes: Preserving Basking Ridge New Jersey history is a Treasure
Views: 12,904 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.”… Read More »Betsy Ross is Really Buried in Basking Ridge, New Jersey?
Views: 3,086 On the 7th anniversary of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, losing its 619-year-old oak tree, the Mr. Local History Project has written a story of hope, commitment, honor, history, and township pride. Yes, people, there are children of the… Read More »Retrospective: The Siblings of a 619-Year Oak Tree
Views: 4,473 NOTE: Warren, Far Hills and Bernardsville were all part of Bernards Township in the early 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Cemeteries remain a primary source for historical research and MLH leverages many sources from cemeteries to validate early… Read More »Basking Ridge’s Oldest Cemetery
Views: 3,681 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 »Basking Ridge Oak Tree Community Photo Album
Views: 3,684 Mr Local History is proud to announce the release of the third in the collectible series, the 619-year-old Basking Ridge Historic White Oak Cat’s Meow collectible, which is now available online. The New Jersey Historic Village keepsake collection… Read More »Basking Ridge Historic White Oak Tree Honored in New Jersey Keepsake in Series
Views: 3,733 The Mr. Local History Project is so proud to share the release of the second in the historic New Jersey Historical Wooden Cat’s Meow collectible series, the 1718 Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church and the 619-year-old Basking Ridge Historic… Read More »Basking Ridge Church and 619 Year Oak Tree Honored in New Jersey Historic Village Collection
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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