Top Picks Archives - Mr. Local History Project

Project Local History Ambassador Flags for Students in Bernards Township

New Jersey History Project — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:35:04 +0000

Views: 6,125 UPDATE / Donor Special: The 2026 Ambassador Giving Campaign to Support Project Local History Ambassador for 5th Grade Students is underway: five schools and almost 500 Bernards Township official flags to be distributed. See our special offer to financially support the program this year. A call for Sponsorship and Community SupportThe Student Local… Read More »Project Local History Ambassador Flags for Students in Bernards Township

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What Might Have Happened if General Lee Wasn’t Captured in Basking Ridge

New Jersey History Project — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 11:40:39 +0000

Views: 1,750 In December 1776, the American rebellion was close to collapse. The Continental Army was shrinking as enlistments expired and morale sank to its lowest point of the war. British forces held New York and expected the uprising to fade away with the coming winter. What happened next hinged on a few quiet but… Read More »What Might Have Happened if General Lee Wasn’t Captured in Basking Ridge

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The Stolen Lillie Drawing of Pluckemin Artillery Park

Brooks Betz — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 15:45:20 +0000

Views: 1,608 UPDATE:The story of the stolen 1779 historical artifact of John Lillie’s “The Winter at the Pluckemin Cantonment” continues as Mr. Local History researchers continue digging to locate the official FBI records of the stolen Pluckemin Cantonment artifact from the Morristown National Historic Park after the National Park Service Investigative Unit confirmed the case… Read More »The Stolen Lillie Drawing of Pluckemin Artillery Park

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Historic Moment at the Pluckemin Cantonment – Archeologist Finds His Mark

Brooks Betz — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 14:47:00 +0000

Views: 3,560 It was a cold, winterish April afternoon at the Jacobus Vanderveer House in Bedminster, New Jersey, as a very special guest came to tell his story about what has become a signature event in the history of the Revolutionary War and the Continental Army’s struggles during that period. We introduce you to John… Read More »Historic Moment at the Pluckemin Cantonment – Archeologist Finds His Mark

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Moonshining Bootlegging Speakeasies in Somerset County, NJ

New Jersey History Project — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 22:58:14 +0000

Views: 6,079 A few friends got together and started talking about the fine art of distilling and how much it’s changed (if at all). It seems that due to the efforts of a few Jersey residents, distilling spirits is back in fashion since it was Governor Chris Christie who reopened the door to cost-effective distilling… Read More »Moonshining Bootlegging Speakeasies in Somerset County, NJ

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Larison’s Turkey Farm & Arthur’s Tavern- A Legendary New Jersey Restauranteur

New Jersey History Project — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 15:49:16 +0000

Views: 8,008 Do you know how Arthur’s Tavern got its name? Meet Arthur….. Arthur McGreevy. Meet Arthur McGreevy Arthur was born on Dec. 6, 1927, in Orange, N.J., and lived most of his life in Morris Plains, N.J., before moving to Sparta, N.J., where he lived before his death on November 3, 2011. Arthur attended… Read More »Larison’s Turkey Farm & Arthur’s Tavern- A Legendary New Jersey Restauranteur

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Samuel Southard of Basking Ridge – A US Vice President

New Jersey History Project — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 12:52:11 +0000

Views: 4,327 While researching the Southard family of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, we uncovered something we never knew about Samuel Southard. MLH believes Basking Ridge’s own Samuel Southard was the Vice President of the United States for over a year after President William Henry Harrison died in 1841. Was he? Check out the research we’ve… Read More »Samuel Southard of Basking Ridge – A US Vice President

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John Morton – General Washington’s Rebel Banker Stashed in Basking Ridge

New Jersey History Project — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 18:12:35 +0000

Views: 13,466 “EVERYONE NEEDS TO GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT JOHN MORTON, THE REBEL BANKER.” John Morton was a Colonel in the Continental Army. Still, he relinquished his commission in 1761 to become a highly successful merchant, specializing in the trade of flax from his native Ulster in Northern Ireland, thereby supporting the country’s linen… Read More »John Morton – General Washington’s Rebel Banker Stashed in Basking Ridge

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Jersey’s History Bucket List

New Jersey History Project — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 15:33:37 +0000

Views: 10,020 Wow, this story was one of our most controversial and difficult stories we’ve ever prepared. Just the thought of picking only 10 Jersey historic sites is an insane task. But I think we’re up to it. The 10 most historic things you need to see in Jersey before you kick the bucket. Gathered… Read More »Jersey’s History Bucket List

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The Official Sandwich of Basking Ridge – What Now?

New Jersey History Project — Sat, 02 Jul 2022 13:14:52 +0000

Views: 7,399 BASKING RIDGE UPDATE:April 1, 2025 – Since the village of Basking Ridge lost the famed creator of the Official sandwich of Basking Ridge, “the town special,” the title is up for grabs. Come back soon for the opportunity to meet the new challengers and your chance to vote. Right now, we need to… Read More »The Official Sandwich of Basking Ridge – What Now?

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Is it Bernard or Bernards? Hummm

Brooks Betz — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 11:24:17 +0000

Views: 4,719 The Mr. Local History project often digs into multiple archives looking for evidence of the areas collective past. But this one got us scratching our heads. There is no doubt that Bernards Township is named after Sir Francis Bernard. But is the town name really Bernard or Bernards? Could someone have added an… Read More »Is it Bernard or Bernards? Hummm

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Robert & Estelle Terry – Tuskegee Airmen and Basking Ridge Pilots

New Jersey History Project — Sun, 30 Aug 2020 16:14:34 +0000

Views: 15,976 After 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 resided in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Based on the research, the non-profit Mr. Local… Read More »Robert & Estelle Terry – Tuskegee Airmen and Basking Ridge Pilots

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