Ongoing historical research on a variety of topics.
Views: 8,106 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. Mr. Local History Project… Read More »Where is West Millington, Lyons and Madisonville Sections of Bernards Township
Views: 10,588Celebrating over 100 years of New Jersey’s fall classic, the Far Hills Race Meeting, with this beautiful wooden painted collectible as part of the New Jersey Historic Village Cat’s Meow wooden keepsake collection. Beautifully handcrafted wood, hand-painted edges, and… Read More »Far Hills Race Meeting Collectible & Century Old History of this Fall Jersey Classic
Views: 11,480 NOTE: The Borough of Far Hills celebrated its 100th anniversary #farhills100, with Council President Karner and the Mayor’s wife, Janis Vallone, spearheading “what will be a great community event on May 15, 2021, with a parade and picnic… Read More »One Man’s Vision: How Grant Schley Imagined Far Hills, New Jersey
Views: 11,492 Congratulations to the Westfield Fire Department as Westfield celebrated its 150th. The Mr. Local History Project (MLH) has preserved and promoted local history since our non-profit organization was established in 2019. This all-volunteer group started a wooden miniature… Read More »Keepsakes: Preserving Westfield NJ History – The Cat’s Meow Village
Views: 9,058The Mr. Local History Project received a request and we love the idea. We’re going to try to find as many Sears Roebuck houses we can help authenticate in the Somerset Hills of northern Somerset County, New Jersey including… Read More »Cataloging Sears Roebuck Kit Homes Across Somerset County, NJ
Views: 21,696William Annin has a prominent place in the history of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, and Liberty Corner. The Mr. Local History Project looks back at one of Liberty Corner’s founding families, known worldwide as the largest manufacturer of American… Read More »The Annins of Liberty Corner: Patriots, Flag Company and a Middle School
Views: 15,904“Holly cow, Basking Ridge has so many great historic moments, so as the Township Historian, I have to tell everyone about the three greatest historical moments in Basking Ridge history. Brooks Betz – Bernards Township historian Online, we’ve created… Read More »Three Historic Moments That Changed Basking Ridge & America
Views: 18,351It’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 began with a post on social media, because, yes, there are many… Read More »Retrospective: Why Bernardsville was Once Called Vealtown
Views: 12,058The former mayor of Paterson, Joey Torres, had committed to seeing the restoration of the stadium by the end of his term in 2018. He left office in 2017 and accepted a plea deal in response to charges of… Read More »Bring Auto Racing Back to Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson New Jersey
Views: 57,366A Small Part of Camelot in the Somerset Hills in Northern Somerset County, New Jersey, and why the Fall and Thanksgiving were When We Saw Her Most. While the Somerset Hills is home to many power brokers and celebrities,… Read More »Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ Time in Bernardsville & Peapack, New Jersey
Views: 30,415UPDATE: The Mr. Local History Project is SOOOO excited to introduce the expansion of our Historic New Jersey Historic Cat’s Meow Village, the Natirar Estate in Peapack and Far Hills, New Jersey. Only a limited number will be produced.… Read More »The Gilded Age: Natirar Estate in Peapack/Far Hills, New Jersey
Views: 38,315NOTE: Remember that Warren, Far Hills, and Bernardsville were part of Bernards Township, so these family stories also include those areas. History showcases some of the greatest reminders of where we came from. Many people new to the area… Read More »The Founding Families of Bernards Township (Basking Ridge)
Views: 7,974Films Document Basking Ridge and Surrounding Area History If you’re a fan of local history, two area film makers have created documentary films showcasing two of the most regarded historic stories in Bernards Township. While many people don’t know… Read More »Films Document A Defeated Jetport and the Mightiest Oak
Views: 15,749Here’s an idea. How about a fresh air compound? Great open space. Historic homes, beautiful rolling, open fields, and a canal. Yes, a canal. Let’s throw in an infamous outdoor concert series while we’re at it. Just off the… Read More »ROADTRIP: Historic Waterloo Village Concept Works
Views: 6,722Some ask, “Why am I seeing an article about food on a history website?” History often reveals itself in unexpected places. As I sat in a new food court in Toronto, Canada, I realized that this concept was a… Read More »The Food Hall – Modernizing the Food Court Concept
