Happenings On Christmas Eve: Our Hometown of Basking Ridge is Buzzing!
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.
Towns
Hey Jersey – Taylor Ham vs. SPAM
Views: 879 The Debate That Divides New Jersey… And Now There’s a Third on the Rise… SPAM In New Jersey, there are a few things guaranteed to start an argument. Traffic circles. Jughandles. What exit are you from? But nothing… Read More »Hey Jersey – Taylor Ham vs. SPAM
The Basking Ridge Christmas Eve Carol Sing – Black River Journal
Views: 595 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
Mr. Local History’s 2025 Advent Calendar of Memorable Toys/Gifts & Their History
Views: 2,343 And on the 25th Day of the Advent Toy History Calendar… Holiday Memories is such great history, and what better way to look back than remembering how Advent Calendars worked, but this time we mix gift memories with… Read More »Mr. Local History’s 2025 Advent Calendar of Memorable Toys/Gifts & Their History
“Janice Meredith” – 1924 Silent Film Showcases American Revolution
Views: 702 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
100+ Mouthwatering “Best Burgers” From New Jersey – Krug’s Tavern Burger Porn Collection
Views: 24,852 Krug’s Tavern: Newark’s Burger Temple Since 1932, Krug’s Tavern on Wilson Avenue has been serving what many call the best burger in New Jersey. From the outside, it’s just a neighborhood bar, but inside, it’s a shrine to… Read More »100+ Mouthwatering “Best Burgers” From New Jersey – Krug’s Tavern Burger Porn Collection
Meet (Sir) Francis Bernard Esq. – New Jersey’s Royal Governor
Views: 10,120 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
America’s First Republican Vice President Nominee – Basking Ridge’s William Dayton Beats out Abraham Lincoln
Views: 7,656 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
Sir Francis Bernard Honored With American Town Names
Views: 5,832 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
History: ‘Down the Shore Everything’s Alright’ Collectibles
Views: 5,363 Yep, we said it….. sha la la la la la down the shore everything’s alright. Put some of the Jersey shore’s most iconic keepsakes out for display. Bruce Springsteen / Mr. Local History Project In Our Beautiful Jerse… Read More »History: ‘Down the Shore Everything’s Alright’ Collectibles
Retrospective: Lost & Torn Down Memories From the Somerset Hills
Views: 5,426 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
Liberty Corner & Bullion’s Tavern
Views: 3,654 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
Stirling Manor- 13 Colonies’ Most Prestigious Manor Was Right In Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Views: 1,798 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- 13 Colonies’ Most Prestigious Manor Was Right In Basking Ridge, New Jersey
The Lost Lake Beneath the Hills: The Forgotten Silk City of Pluckemin
Views: 1,265 The “Lyons (France) of New Jersey” Then came industry. In July 1910 the Bernardsville News ran a whimsical headline: “The Lyons of New Jersey.” The article announced the arrival of “Big Bob” McCullough of Paterson, a larger-than-life entrepreneur… Read More »The Lost Lake Beneath the Hills: The Forgotten Silk City of Pluckemin
Peapack Gladstone Barn Tour Shines as “Barn-ers” Visit Historic Venues
Views: 1,670 On November 15, 2025, Peapack and Gladstone opened its doors to the past as visitors stepped into the 2025 Historic Barn Tour. For one crisp autumn day, the borough invited guests to wander through seven of its most… Read More »Peapack Gladstone Barn Tour Shines as “Barn-ers” Visit Historic Venues