Natirar and Blairsden Mr Local History Keepsakes header
A key mission statement of the Mr. Local History project is to find new ways to “Share History with a Social Twist,” which means we try to incorporate the social aspects of people, places, and things that tie back to tell their history at the same time. This is why we partnered with the Cat’s Meow Village to commission them to create art on wood on the front side, along with the history on the back. Then we hope you like them so much that you display them in your home and continue to tell the stories.
This story brings the history of the Gilded Age, also known as the Golden Age of America, where wealthy Americans built some of the most lavish mansions and estates in America from the late 1800s to the post-depression era. Since we cover mainly New Jersey, we have two to share: Blairsden and Natirar. And isn’t it funny that they’re both in New Jersey AND were next-door neighbors? TRUE.
The Mr. Local History Project is SOOOO excited to introduce the expansion of our Historic New Jersey Historic Cat’s Meow Village, the Natirar Estate in Peapack and Far Hills, New Jersey, and the Blairsden Estate right next door! Only a limited number will be produced.
Here are just a few photos from then and now. Complete stories about Jersey Mansions are at the end of this post.
Are you a Historic Property that Wants to be Part of the New Jersey Historic Cat’s Meow Wooden Village Collection? How Do These Jersey Icons Make It to the Jersey Collection? Many historic properties want to be included in the…
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 Shore Keepsake…
Four limited edition wooden keepsakes to honor New Jersey’s historic icons honoring the state’s most famous eateries that have served Jersey for almost 100 years. Congratulations to our iconic New Jersey Diner keepsake, West Orange’s Jimmy Buff’s Italian Hot Dogs,…
Jersey is all we do. We make each of these collectibles to promote New Jersey history, as our motto states: “History with a Social Twist.” Whether it’s our Wear Local History collection, flags, wooden keepsakes, or other items, the goal…
Nine pieces of custom art on wood honor Bernards Township’s history. Start your collection of these beautiful, limited edition keepsakes. The Governor of New Jersey’s Historic Village has been working with Bernards Township historians to help preserve and promote the…
Over the last five years, we’ve been slowly growing the New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Collection. It began with our first collectible, the Brick Academy in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, which is honoring its 75th anniversary. Since then, the collection…
UPDATE:Mr. Local History is proud to announce, in partnership with The Ross Farm, the release of the 6th collectible in the series, the Somerset County 1777 Boudinot Southard Ross House. The collectible is part of the New Jersey Historic Village…
Our researchers continue to dig and have finally found ALL of the deed records of the Riverside Inn property. It took us back to the late 1800s. If you have additional information about any of the owners, we’d love to…
Supporting Bernardsville’s history via our MLH keepsake collection is growing as we honor Bernardsville’s local history. Here’s your chance, Bernardsville, to show your support for local history. Three Bernardsville icons have been selected, and if interest is strong, we hope…
Does the hot dog (not the Italian one) get a place in New Jersey’s Historic Foodie Wooden Collectible series?What about Rutt’s Hut, or any other of a handful of iconic hot dog eateries? The Mr. Local History Project researchers LOVE…
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 Village. Made in the USA!!! NEW FOR 2025 The New Jersey Historic Wooden Keepsake Village Collection…
Take the Survey – What are the Most Historic Icons in Bernardsville? Olcott School, The Old Library, Jerolaman’s, the Bernards Inn, the Old Stone Hotel, Dunster Squibb house, Bernardsville Cinema, and Kenilwood, NJ Brigade are some of the most iconic…
Four limited edition wooden keepsakes to honor New Jersey’s historic icons honoring the state’s most famous eateries that have served Jersey for almost 100 years. Congratulations to our iconic New Jersey Diner keepsake, West Orange’s Jimmy Buff’s Italian Hot Dogs,…
We start with a little video tied to three limited edition wooden keepsakes to honor historic icons in Bernardsville, New Jersey. Click the video below to watch. Supporting Bernardsville’s history through our MLH keepsake project is growing as we honor…
UPDATED for 2024 – We’re having a raffle again to honor the 103rd edition of the Far Hills Race Meeting. Enter your chance to win the 100th Anniversary Far Hills Race Keepsake. One of our most popular keepsakes is the…
Congratulations to the Westfield Fire Department as Westfield celebrateed its 150th. The Mr. Local History Project (MLH) has been preserving and promoting local history since our non-profit organization was established in 2019. The all-volunteer group started a wooden miniature keepsake…
Be part of the Widow White’s Tavern limited edition run. Mr Local History is proud to announce the release of the 7th in the collectible series, the infamous 1776 Widow White’s Tavern in the village of Basking Ridge. Order now…
Congratulations to Union, Route 22, and the famous historic roadside attraction, the “World Famous Flagship – the ship that never sailed.” Your votes mattered, and the Route 22 Flagship is now officially part of the New Jersey Historical Wooden Keepsake…
Olcott School Keepsake Official Launch Party: Wednesday, December 11, 2024 The Mayor of New Jersey’s Historic Village recently decreed that a new icon be added to the New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Collection in a bold move to expand the…
New Jersey Historical Wooden Keepsake Collection Welcomes the 1871 Washington House The iconic Washington House in Basking Ridge Village has a rich history dating back to 1871. At almost 150 years of age, the grand hotel still serves the public…
Congratulations, Cranford, on the five collectibles now part of the New Jersey Historical Wooden Village collection, a group of over 40 Jersey collectibles. Each keepsake brings awareness to historic Cranford icons. The Mr. Local History Project group is a non-profit…
Release Party: March 1, 2025 Celebrating the rich history of the Kennedy Martin Stelle Farmstead, this iconic Basking Ridge farm is honored with this beautiful wooden hand-painted collectible as part of the New Jersey Historic Village Cat’s Meow wooden keepsake…
Cranford High School – Cranford, New Jersey – Three Locations – Three Icons 1st CHS – Cranford High School at Grant School Established in 1902, Cranford’s first High School in Cranford, New Jersey, began as a four-year institution at Grant…
The time – 1950s – the invention – The EggOmat, an egg vending machine enclosed in a wooden shed, born on Mountain Boulevard, across from the field that’s now home to municipal ballfields in Somerset County’s Warren Township, New Jersey.…
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 Village. Made in the USA!!! The New Jersey Historic Wooden Keepsake Village Collection The New Jersey…
UPDATE:It’s HERE! The Cat’s Meow Village and Mr. Local History honors Asbury Park’s Stone Pony, joining the New Jersey Historic Village collection, now over forty keepsakes. Join the Party! Our Assumptions Were Correct…. Our assumptions were correct, and a big…
Congratulations to the Westfield Fire Department as Westfield celebrates the 150th year. 150th Anniversary of the Westfield Fire Department with a parade and community festival on Saturday, June 21, 2025: New Westfield Cat’s Meow Collectibles The Governor of New Jersey’s Historic Village…
Ahhhhhhhh……those Wildwood Days are ready to enjoy in your home!A monumental new keepsake collectible from the Mr. Local History Project. The Governor of New Jersey’s Historic Village recently decreed that a new icon be added to the New Jersey Historic…
The Governor of New Jersey’s Historic Keepsake Village has decreed that a new icon should be added to the New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Collection, expanding the exclusive set of New Jersey collectible icons. Introducing the “Winter and Christmas Eve…
We have been told a terrible rumor. Is it true? Do some people bring out their Jersey Cat’s Meow collectibles only for the holidays? Read on…. Yes, we have been told many people bring out their Cat’s Meow Village keepsakes…
Congratulations, Basking Ridge and Bernardsville, on being the foundation for the New Jersey Historical Wooden Village collection, a group of over 40 Jersey collectibles. Each keepsake brings awareness to historic area icons created by the world-famous Cat’s Meow Village and…
The Mr. Local History Project (MLH) has been preserving and promoting local history since its establishment as a non-profit organization in 2019. The all-volunteer group started a wooden miniature keepsake program to share history and artwork in partnership with the…
The Mr. Local History Project is proud to announce that the board has accepted The White Manna Hamburger diner stand in Hackensack, New Jersey to be included in the New Jersey Historic Wooden Keepsake collection made by the Cat’s Meow…
The Mayor of New Jersey’s Historic Village recently decreed that a new icon be added to the New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Collection in a bold move to expand the only set of New Jersey collectible icons. Introducing the winter…
Krug’s Tavern, a shot and beer joint that’s survived through WW2, the Riots, and gentrification, the four generations continue the family legacy with this legendary New Jersey tavern. Now Krug’s has reached its 90th anniversary and the non-profit Mr. Local…
The ancestors of the creator of the Italian Hot Dog continue to serve up Italian hot dogs every day. Over the years, Mike Loikith says that about twenty locations came and went as his great-grandfather and grandfather passed away, but…
The Mayor of New Jersey’s Historic Village has decreed another Jersey icon be added to the New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Collection recently in a bold move to expand the only set of New Jersey collectible icons. Produced in conjunction…
The Mayor of New Jersey’s Historic Village has decreed two icons be added to the New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Collection recently in a bold move to expand the only set of New Jersey collectible icons. Produced in conjunction with…
Nothing goes better than a fun Jersey day trip to an iconic town that starts on the Jersey shore and gives you many fun choices filled with food and history. Mr. Local History introduces you to Keyport, New Jersey, a…
#45-47summerwhitehouse Preserving Bedminster’s History – The Mr. Local History Project (MLH) has been preserving and promoting local history since our non-profit organization was established in 2019. The all-volunteer group started a wooden miniature keepsake program to share history and artwork…