Many people have asked why post all this history stuff on the area you’re calling the Somerset Hills. Well, call it passion. Call it intrigue. Call it local awareness. I think that the main reason is whenever I asked a question about history in the area, the information wasn’t available. I didn’t want to wait to go to the library, and I didn’t have time to go to the local historical society. But I moved to the area and said, “If I’m gonna be a local, I need to learn something about the history”. The Somerset Hills is often called the area of the “Landed Gentry” giving luster to this historic area.
With names like Mars, Merck, Stevens, Ballentine, Pfizer, Kean, Whitman, and even Former President Trump, the Somerset Hills is full of great estates and mansions. In today’s era of “give it to me now”, we’ve become a bit spoiled regarding information. We want it fast and we want it now. So here it is… my masterpiece, a map showcasing all we’ve learned about where these great mansions of “the guilded age” among what is known as “the blue hills” of Bernardsville , Mendham, Bedminster and the surrounding area.
Below is our updated creation called a mashup. We take historic information and post it to a google map so people can click to learn about a property, and even visit it if they so choose. The list of the properties is listed below. Please make sure you respect private property.
The New Jersey Historic Village keepsake collection is a wood painted collectible series honoring historic iconic buildings, properties, and fixtures that are part of the historic fabric of New Jersey’s history. Each keepsake was selected based on community feedback and a voting process. Brooks Betz stated, “we’re really excited to see how the public reacts to the next additions to this historic series.” The Mr. Local History Project plans to introduce at least four new keepsakes in 2021. Simply sign up to receive updates when the new pieces will become available.
Battle of Somerset County’s Estate Titans – Natirar vs. Blairsden. You decide.
Additional keepsakes will be added to the Somerset Hills collection as part of a multi-year effort to promote and preserve history in the Somerset Hills including Bedminster, Bernards Twp., Bernardsville, Far Hills, Peapack and Gladstone. “There are so many great historic icons in the Somerset Hills and we were really excited to launch the keepsake program.
Why Somerset Hills?
The Somerset Hills is a New Jersey area in Somerset County including the towns of Bedminster, Basking Ridge/Bernards Township, Bernardsville, Far Hills, and Peapack/Gladstone. Wow that’s a mouthful. In an effort to open up history of this area on the internet, we’ve partnered with a number of non-profit historical societies and local historical efforts to assist their transition to the internet. But as it took a long time to create history, it’s going to take a while to bend some minds and get some to understand that the internet is just a different way to communicate information.
YouTube Channel
Here’s a fun story prepared by area historian W. Barry Thomson about gargoyles, also known as “Grotesques” and an architect from Bernardsville named George. B Post. Enjoy.
Take a look at one of our playlists on our Mr. Local History YouTube Channel showcasing some of these fantastic mansions.
Related Research
Estate Map Locations:
- Alward Homestead / Alward Farmhouse
- Bedminster Hotel / Howard Hotel / Willie’s Tavern
- Boudinot-Southard-Ross Property
- Coffee House – 1804 House (Private)
- Dr. Henry and Phoebe Vanderveer House
- Essex Hunt Club – Private
- Far Hills Race Meeting Site
- Gladstone Train Station
- Historic District – Basking Ridge,Historic District – Franklin Corners,Historic District –
- Lamington,Historic District – Liberty Corner,Historic District – Pluckemin,Historic District – Pottersville
- Jacobus Vanderveer House (Public)
- Jockey Hollow – Morristown Ntl Historic Park
- John Jacob Astor Estate (Public)
- Lamington Black Cemetery
- Lord Stirling Manor
- Lore – Devil’s Tomb,Lore – Jacobs Ladder
- Lore – Phareloch Haunted Castle (Private),
- Lore – The Devil Tree
- Lore – Vealtown Tavern
- Mansion – Blairsden (Private)
- Mansion – Boulderwood (Private)
- Mansion – Craigmore (Private)
- Mansion – Hamilton Farm (Public/Private)
- Mansion – Mosey/Hillandale Estate – (Private)
- Mansion – Natirar Estate – Kate Macy Ladd
- Mansion – Peachcroft (Private)
- Mansion – Shale House (Private)
- Mansion – Stronghold (Private)
- Mansion – The Maples
- Mansion – Trump / Delorean Estate
- Mansion – Upton Pyne (Private)
- Mansion – USGA Museum – Frothingham Estate,Mansion – Kenilwood (Private),Mansion – Yademos (Private)
- McDonald’s/Kline’s Mills (Private)
- Mellick – This Old Farm
- Peapack Limestone Kiln
- Pluckemin Artillery Encampment (Private)
- Reynolds – Scherman House (Private)
- The Brick Academy
- Widow White’s Tavern Site
Originally posted: May 2007
Revised: May 2023
