Views: 4,168 UPDATE: March 12, 2025 –A few researchers at the Mr. Local History Project are looking for a few Chinese and Indian residents interested in tracing the roots of these two growing communities in Bernards Township to the first… Read More »Bernards Township Origins
Views: 7,520 UPDATE: We are looking for art programs, non-profits, and elder program coordinators to consider programs where an entire art class works to create their own collection with ties to our collective local history. MLHP Education Coordinator The Mr.… Read More »Art and History – Looking for Artists To Interpret History to Celebrate NJ250
Views: 13,555 Honoring International Women’s Day, we thought it would be an honor to research and share the stories of inspirational trailblazing women from our area that have made a difference. Each of these women either grew up or lived… Read More »International Women’s Day Honors Trailblazers from the Somerset Hills in New Jersey
Views: 23,125 Frank McGovern opened his tavern in 1936 selecting 58 New Street right in the central ward of downtown Newark. Whether by coincidence or not, McGovern’s also opened around the same time Newark’s St. Patrick’s Day parade was reborn… Read More »Retrospective: Newark’s McGovern’s Tavern- An Irish History Tale
New Jersey History Preservation and promotion is an integral part of what the non-profit Mr. Local History Project stands for. Below are just a few of the key organizations we support, and we hope you do so too.
 | America 250 – To commemorate and celebrate our 250th anniversary with inclusive programs that inspire Americans to renew and strengthen our daring experiment in democracy. The shared experiences of America250 will have ignited our imaginations, elevated our diverse stories, inspired service in our communities, and demonstrated the lasting durability of the American project. |
 | RevNJ – In unison with America 250, in 2026, New Jersey, like much of the U.S., will commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States of America through events, programs, and ceremonies. RevolutionNJ is New Jersey’s official organization charged with planning and promoting our state’s commemoration. |
 | The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism (NJTT) creates awareness of all that New Jersey has to offer as a destination in order to enhance the quality of life for New Jersey residents and their communities. NJTT is the only organization in New Jersey providing marketing strategy and industry leadership for tourism sector stakeholders |
 | Welcome to the heart of New Jersey! Whether you’ve come to play, work stay – or make this your home!, we hope you’ll fall in love with everything that makes Somerset special. More Info |
 | Founded in 1978, Preservation New Jersey is a statewide member-supported non-profit historic preservation organization. PNJ promotes the economic vitality, sustainability, and heritage of New Jersey’s diverse communities through advocacy and education. |
 | The nine-member Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission, appointed by the County Commissioners, is charged with the responsibility to develop County programs to “promote public interest in local and county history, in the arts and in cultural values, goals and traditions of the community, State and Nation.” |
 | The New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) is a state agency dedicated to the advancement of public knowledge and preservation of New Jersey history. Established by law in 1967, its work is founded on the fundamental belief that an understanding of our shared heritage is essential to sustaining a cohesive and robust democracy. |
The Mr. Local History Project is a 501c3 nonprofit charity history organization run entirely by volunteers. We have two goals: to create an ongoing scholarship fund to be presented annually to a senior high school recipient, to promote local history, and to create programs with a social twist. Your pledge will fully support those two efforts.
Mr Local History also accepts Venmo – Scan the QR code or find us under “Charity” @mrlocalhistory
Each year the Mr. Local History Project works with area high schools to make an unrestricted scholarship to a worthy senior.
Please help us continue this annual tradition.
For those who prefer traditional mail to make donations, mail to:
Mr. Local History Project Giving Campaign
184 W. Oak Street, Suite 101
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Per IRS requirements, donations of $250 or more will be recognized with a receipt.
Views: 23,353 Whether you’re a banker, national political figure, CEO, or farmer, the Somerset Hills has provided commercial opportunities for centuries. From C. Ledyard Blair and Jackie Kennedy to Secretary of State Cyrus Vance and Charles Pfizer, the Somerset Hills… Read More »Top 10 Most Historic Businesses in the Somerset Hills, New Jersey
Views: 12,801 You wouldn’t think, but in a quiet suburb of New York City, a man has amassed what is often referred to as the largest collection of Mack and antique trucks in the world. We introduce you to the… Read More »Largest Antique Truck Collection in the World is in Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Views: 2,027 The Mr. Local History Project is probably the “smallest of small businesses” and needs your support. We have great gifts that bring fun and memorable local history to all! Please consider #justoneitem. It makes a big difference and… Read More »SHOP LOCAL – Small Business Saturday is Everyday at Mr. Local History!
Views: 2,778 We’ve been spending all year creating some of the most unique Jersey history gifts this holiday season. The Mr Local History Holiday Boutique is OPEN 24/7 and ready to spread history and cheer this holiday season. Give the… Read More »Our MLH Holiday Boutique is Open
Views: 160,258 In a sleepy equestrian area in the Somerset Hills of central New Jersey, the former President of the United States still comes to summer at a house with a storied history. UPDATE: Congratulations to Present-Elect Donald John Trump… Read More »President Trump’s Historic Summer White House in Bedminster, New Jersey
Views: 16,215 ALL NEW KEEPSAKES INDUCTED INTO THE NEW JERSEY HISTORICAL WOODEN KEEPSAKE COLLECTION FOR 2025 The MLH Project is proud to be the exclusive reseller of the New Jersey Historic Wooden Keepsake Collection, created by the world-famous Cat’s Meow… Read More »The New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Keepsake Collection Keeps Expanding
Views: 4,680 Summer is a great time for readers to take a book to the beach or just sit in a lounge chair in the backyard and read a good book. With history in our DNA, we’ve worked to create… Read More »Summer Reading Book & Film Club – Central Jersey History
Views: 192 It takes around two minutes and eighteen seconds to sing God Bless America. Mr. Local History took a trip to the “Field of Honor,” an annual tradition at the Jacobus Vanderveer House in Bedminster, New Jersey. Sit back,… Read More »Take 2 Minutes and 18 Seconds to Celebrate America
Views: 11,185 The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It was engrossed on parchment and on August 2, 1776, delegates began signing it. Jefferson drafted the statement between June 11 and 28, submitted drafts to… Read More »Independence Day – Kudos to New Jersey Signers #jersey5
Views: 1,360 Yes, it’s true. While motorsports history has been very kind to the Daytona and Ormond Beaches in Florida, historians often overlook when Cape May, New Jersey, rivaled Flordia for the title of the beach racing capital of the… Read More »1905 – New Jersey Automobile Beach Racing Rivaled Florida’s Daytona Beach