Ongoing historical research on a variety of topics.
Views: 24,932Is William Alexander, aka The Earl & Lord of Stirling, Basking Ridge’s Most Famous Resident? Our researchers think so. Let’s see if we can answer that question. William Alexander (1726 – January 15, 1783) was the son of Secretary… Read More »Lord Stirling- Basking Ridge’s Most Famous Resident
Views: 23,355General Washington, the Continental Army, and General Lord Stirling of Basking Ridge drew inspiration from history and created a sophisticated communications network to track the British movement. They were called the “Beacons.” We start off with a classic Hollywood… Read More »Lord Stirling’s Rev War Beacon Signal Towers
Views: 27,138Boy, this has turned into an obsession. We keep digging and finding more racetracks that were once part of New Jersey motorsports history! The Mr. Local History Project is a non-profit organization that picks up on great local stories… Read More »Lost New Jersey Racetracks Mapping Project
Views: 9,627 Based at his home studio in Bernardsville, Harry Robinson, a professional structural engineer, is an artist sculptor who changed the landscapes of outdoor spaces across the county. A former zeppelin pilot in the Air Force and Maplewood, New… Read More »Harry Robinson – A Look at His Wooden Sculptures around Somerset Hills
Views: 10,179It’s strange how you can walk back and forth a hundred times and never notice something, and then one day, you slow down and become mindful. I had that experience the other day as I walked past the iconic… Read More »A Tribute in Bronze – Millicent Fenwick
Views: 2,646The holidays are going to be historic AGAIN as we all deal with the Covid 19 pandemic. But we move on! Join us as we share all the best that our local community has to offer. Cover The holiday… Read More »Mr. Local History Releases Winter Magazine Vol.2 Issue 4 – The Holiday Issue
Views: 6,596DID YOU KNOW OVER A DOZEN JERSEY TOWNS WERE ALMOST LOST to a super-regional airport in the 1960s? The concept of an airport, which started at 10,000 acres, ballooned to 25,000–30,000 acres, affecting over 45 square miles in Somerset and… Read More »Saving the Great Swamp- The Fight to Defeat the Jetport – Filmmaker Scott Morris
Views: 8,520It’s time to grab your smartphone and head outdoors for a new adventure for history buffs. The Mr. Local History Project has been traveling all over northern Somerset County trying to locate some of the most obvious and obscure… Read More »The Mr. Local History Historic Marker Scavenger Hunt
Views: 5,300The Mr. Local History Project has partnered with eBay for Charity to offer unique local items online to our audience where proceeds go towards our mission and operating expenses. Donations are the lifeblood of any charity and the Mr.… Read More »Mr. Local History Project Charity Auction 2023 – Historic Local Items
Views: 10,281 Listen in as we welcome award-winning journalist and Walking Dead actor Matt Ryan, along with filmmaker Will Cook, as they share the creation of their film HAUNTED ROOTS, “The Haunt of New Jersey’s Devil Tree and a farmhouse.”… Read More »Haunted Roots – The Horror Tale of the Devil Tree in Central New Jersey
Views: 29,915At the 105th Far Hills Race Meeting on October 17, 2026, jockeys will compete for a total purse of $825,000, up $50,000 from 2025 and the highest purse total on the 2026 steeplechase circuit. The six-race program includes the… Read More »Far Hills Race Meeting is Real Social Jersey History
Views: 6,222It’s in the news again. School district consolidation across New Jersey. We have a question of the day that ties back to our initial Somerset Hills days when there was only Bernards and Bedminster (pre-1920s). Called Sweeney’s “Path to… Read More »Should the School Districts in the Somerset Hills Consolidate?
The 12-acre locale in Far Hills, New Jersey, known as the J. Malcolm Belcher Fairgrounds, holds a significant place in local history. Named after James Malcolm Belcher, former mayor, WWII veteran, and influential community figure, the area now serves as… Read More »Retrospective: Belcher- Moggy Hollow – Buck Gardens and the Far Hills Fairgrounds
Views: 2,531Vol. 2 Issue 3 – Fall 2020 – COVER: In the quite town of Basking Ridge in Somerset County, New Jersey, the Mr. Local History Project uncovered a heartwarming story about one of the first black pilots in the… Read More »Mr. Local History 2020 Fall Magazine Vol 2. Issue 3
Views: 16,930After 76 years, Tuskegee Airmen Congressional Medals were Presented to the Family of Robert & Estelle Terry It took almost two years for Brooks Betz, historian and researcher, to prepare a story about Captain Robert and Estelle Terry, who… Read More »Robert & Estelle Terry – Tuskegee Airmen and Basking Ridge Pilots
