Views: 1,760 MLH Mini-Series: The Basking Ridge Rushmore 5 in our Community UPDATE:Our researchers have been watching this post carefully and have finally made the decision and create the Basking Ridge Rushmore 5 for five women that made and continue… Read More »Basking Ridge’s Rushmore 5 Ladies Deserving Recognition
Views: 1,430 Picture a country barn set back from the road. Cars parked along a tree line, never too close together. Men arriving quietly, some local, others from out of town. Inside, cages line the walls and a small pit… Read More »Cockfighting in the Somerset Hills – How Times Have Changed
Yes folks there was a Marlboro Man who lived atop Schley Mountain in Bernards Township (Basking Ridge) Now we need the community’s help.
Views: 876 2025 Research in Review 2025 was a big year for the Mr. Local History Project. It marked our 5th year in operation and a milestone we’re incredibly proud of reaching our one millionth visitor. What started as a… Read More »Top 25 of 2025 – Mr. Local History Year in Review
So much is going on around our beautiful home base in the Somerset Hills of New Jersey, especially in Basking Ridge. Come check it out.
Views: 1,170 The editors of the Black River Journal recently reached out to the Mr Local History Project with a simple request. They wanted to help tell the story of one of the region’s most cherished holiday traditions, the Basking… Read More »The Basking Ridge Christmas Eve Carol Sing – Black River Journal
Views: 1,794 Back in 1924, silent films were all the rage. Bernardsville was just becoming a borough and separating from Bernards Township, but there was still only one movie theater, The Liberty Theater. How fortunate was the theater to feature… Read More »“Janice Meredith” – 1924 Silent Film Showcases American Revolution
Views: 13,939 Our curiosity started with a round-table discussion: Who is Francis Bernard, and should there be a statue to recognize his service to New Jersey? Read the story and tell us what you think at the end. It is… Read More »Meet (Sir) Francis Bernard, Esq. – New Jersey’s Royal Governor
Views: 16,366 New Jersey is known as the “Cockpit of the American Revolution” for a reason – because it was. More battles, more encampments, more strategies took place in New Jersey than in any other colony of the original thirteen.… Read More »New Jersey Rev War Series Mr. Local History Project
Views: 9,788 Americans think the Biden/Trump election was one for the ages, exposing huge ideological beliefs, highly charged politics, and a fight for American values. Looking back at history, most people know the presidential challenges as the country tore apart… Read More »America’s First Republican Vice President Nominee – Basking Ridge’s William Dayton Beats out Abraham Lincoln
Views: 7,399 Sir Francis Bernard’s Legacy Carries On as Towns Honor the Royal Governor of New Jersey and Massachusetts In 1758, Francis Bernard, originally from Lincolnshire, England, was appointed Governor of the province of Nova Caesarea (New Jersey). He packed… Read More »Sir Francis Bernard Honored With American Town Names
Views: 6,661 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 expand this piece as information becomes available. If you have any stories to… Read More »Retrospective: Lost & Torn Down Memories From the Somerset Hills
Views: 5,119 Every great historical story starts with something like, “So we were at this tavern and……” This is one of those stories. America was in the final stages of the Revolutionary War. After an agreement with the French was… Read More »Liberty Corner & Bullion’s Tavern… Boylan’s Tavern (Woops)
Views: 2,829 Is 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 – Jan 15, 1783) was the son of… Read More »Stirling Manor – The 13 Colonies’ Most Prestigious Home was in Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Views: 3,553 Before the Schley Glider Field rose to fame in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, a quiet field in the Lyons section of Bernards Township launched the state’s first glider site for a generation of aviators. Lyons Glider Field The… Read More »1930 – Lyons Glider Field: Where New Jersey’s Soaring Story Began