History

Ongoing historical research on a variety of topics.

Collectible: Preserving Bedminster’s History with a Special Keepsake – Trump’s Summer Whitehouse

by New Jersey History Project

Views: 19,050 #45-47summerwhitehouse Preserving Bedminster’s History – The Mr. Local History Project (MLH) has been preserving and promoting local history since our non-profit organization was established in 2019. The all-volunteer group started a wooden miniature keepsake program to share history… Read More »Collectible: Preserving Bedminster’s History with a Special Keepsake – Trump’s Summer Whitehouse

Westfield’s Excellent Diner – A Lost (and Found) Jersey Treasure

Views: 17,510Or maybe we need to say: Give everyone the Disneyland Paris Café des Cascadeurs (Stuntman’s) diner update. #disneylandparisdiner As with all Mr. Local History retrospectives, we often update the post when we learn stories and are sAs is the… Read More »Westfield’s Excellent Diner – A Lost (and Found) Jersey Treasure

The Lost Charters of Bernards Township & Bedminster

by Brooks Betz

Views: 19,034UPDATE: While we wrote this piece years ago, the Bedminster Charter came back in the news on October 21, 2019, when it was announced that the Forbes family was donating the charter back to Bedminster Township. The story continues!… Read More »The Lost Charters of Bernards Township & Bedminster

1867 bernards base ball club basking ridge scorebook

Baseball: The Bernards Base Ball Club in 1867

by New Jersey History Project

Views: 6,469The history of Basking Ridge (Bernards Township) sometimes comes in unique ways. While researching another story online, we came across an auction selling an original scorebook from the Bernards Baseball Club. Today, many men love to play club ball.… Read More »Baseball: The Bernards Base Ball Club in 1867

Jersey Comfort Food Map Mr Local History

Jersey Comfort Food – Mapping The Best of the Best

by New Jersey History Project

Views: 34,626 Welcome to our Mr. Local History “Lots of Jersey Comfort Food Maps“, a delicious celebration of the places that define New Jersey one plate at a time. From classic roadside diners and neon-lit institutions to neighborhood spots that… Read More »Jersey Comfort Food – Mapping The Best of the Best

Harry Dunham Park Mr Local History Project

Retrospective: Harry Dunham and His Park

Views: 7,161As many Bernards Township residents are familiar with Harry Dunham Park, very few people know about Harry Dunham, the man. Mr. Dunham was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and moved to Basking Ridge. Let’s dig in and see what we… Read More »Retrospective: Harry Dunham and His Park

Westfield’s Iconic Jolly Trolley – Thanksgiving Eve’s Place to Be

Views: 24,492A gift from the WHS class of 1980 to all those who loved the Jolly Trolley. I hope you continue to send in your stories and photos. As with all Mr. Local History retrospectives, we often update the post… Read More »Westfield’s Iconic Jolly Trolley – Thanksgiving Eve’s Place to Be

Cats Meow Basking Ridge Tree Front Clean

Basking Ridge Historic White Oak Tree Honored in New Jersey Keepsake in Series

by New Jersey History Project

Views: 6,654Mr Local History is proud to announce the release of the third collectible in the series: the 619-year-old Basking Ridge Historic White Oak Cat’s Meow, now available online. The New Jersey Historic Village keepsake collection is a collectible series… Read More »Basking Ridge Historic White Oak Tree Honored in New Jersey Keepsake in Series

Did You Work at the Cranford Canoe Club?

by Brooks Betz

Views: 13,838When you’re a kid, the simplest things in life often end up being the ones you remember the most. As one of three kids in my family growing up in nearby Westfield, New Jersey, I learned life lessons and… Read More »Did You Work at the Cranford Canoe Club?

Mr Local History Magazine Vol 3 Issue 1 Spring

Mr. Local History 2021 Spring MLH Magazine (Covid Rebound) Vol 3. Issue 1

by New Jersey History Project

Views: 2,523Mr. Local History Online Magazine – a free magazine with stories about local history and events in New Jersey. In this issue: Far Hills turns 100, a walking tour is coming, Analysis of the Basking Ridge Oak, Historic Marker… Read More »Mr. Local History 2021 Spring MLH Magazine (Covid Rebound) Vol 3. Issue 1

Mapping New Jersey Diners Mr Local History

Mapping New Jersey’s Most Iconic Diners & A Diner Collectible

Views: 24,698The map below is interactive and filtered to showcase New Jersey’s Diner community! Then, we’ll discuss how the keepsake came to be. Bookmark this map on your phone. Also, note we have burgers, pizza, bakeries, hot dogs, and YES,… Read More »Mapping New Jersey’s Most Iconic Diners & A Diner Collectible

Douglas O 38B of the Maryland National Guard

Aviation Tragedy: Lieutenant Guy Kendrix Rudd

by New Jersey History Project

Views: 3,284The Somerset Hills have seen its share of aviation accidents, minor and spectacular, over the years. Fortunately, most have involved light aircraft with injuries rather than casualties as the result. The early crashes, prior to WWII, tended to be… Read More »Aviation Tragedy: Lieutenant Guy Kendrix Rudd

Slot Cars and Motorsports History

by Brooks Betz

Views: 9,052Nominate your top 5 favorites for our American HO Greatest Slot List. Isn’t it great when you get to go back in time and do things you did as a kid? I remember the times when I would play… Read More »Slot Cars and Motorsports History

Somerset Hills History 101

by New Jersey History Project

Views: 9,562Bedminster, Bernards Township, Bernardsville, Far Hills, Peapack & Gladstone: History that you might not know. Let’s get started. Did you know… 1921 – Far Hills was actually part of Bernards Township until seceding in 1921. Rising taxes led the… Read More »Somerset Hills History 101

Malcolm Forbes and Liz Taylor Mr Local History

Somerset Hills Most Famous Families & Residents

Views: 58,829With our Board of Trustees settled into Central New Jersey, isn’t it fun to know what famous people live or have lived in the area? We’re about to show you what we’ve found from our research. The New Jersey… Read More »Somerset Hills Most Famous Families & Residents