Welcome to the Summer Edition of the Mr. Local History Magazine!
Every summer, we dive headfirst into what we love most—celebrating New Jersey’s incredible place in America’s story. As the “Cockpit of the American Revolution,” New Jersey holds a central role in the nation’s founding, and we proudly spotlight our state’s pivotal contributions. From the legendary “Jersey Five Signers” of the Declaration of Independence to the fascinating origins of America’s flagmaking tradition rooted right here in the Garden State, this edition is filled with stories that inspire pride and curiosity.
Summer also means travel, exploration, and fun—and we’re all about making history come alive! Whether you’re hitting the road to explore Revolutionary War sites, paging through great reads, or picking up a new Cat’s Meow wooden keepsake, we invite you to discover just how exciting local history can be. This season, we also shine a spotlight on iconic Jersey landmarks, such as The Stone Pony and the Wildwood Boardwalk, both of which are honored with new additions to our keepsake collection.
In addition to our cover stories, also in this issue:
- EVICTION NOTICE SERVED to Bedminster’s Friends of Jacobus Vanerveer House – Get the details and how you can help.
- THE JERSEY TOMATO – The history of the Jersey Tomato
- WILDWOOD, NEW JERSEY – One of the Jersey Shore’s greatest beaches. How it came to be.
- NEW COLLECTIBLES – Meet the Jersey Shore 5!
- OUR #1 STORY ALL TIME – THE PLUCKEMIN CANTONMENT is our #1 read story of all time – find out why it’s the greatest untold story of the American Revolution.
- Start planning for your JULY 4th NOW!
Have a Wonderful Summer & Enjoy Some Jersey History
Collectible: Preserving Jersey Music History – Asbury Park’s Stone Pony
Views: 5,008 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… Read More »Collectible: Preserving Jersey Music History – Asbury Park’s Stone…
The American Flagman Honors Patriotism Everyday
Views: 8,553 UPDATE: In 2010, we published this story on another website. Then we said people needed to see the story about this man, as he was seen again. It… Read More »The American Flagman Honors Patriotism Everyday
Wildwood History: Boardwalk, Beach, Neon and the Doowop Universe
Views: 7,211 UPDATE:USA TODAY says Wildwood is Home to One of the Country’s Best Pop Culture Museums. The museum received USA Today’s 2025 10 Best Readers’ Choice Travel Award. Anyone… Read More »Wildwood History: Boardwalk, Beach, Neon and the Doowop Universe
Before the West Point Military Academy (USMA) There was Pluckemin
Views: 196,826 America’s First Military Academy, the Pluckemin Academy (Dec.1778) was 24 Years BEFORE West Point (Mar. 16, 1802). One of the greatest untold stories of the American Revolution.The Pluckemin… Read More »Before the West Point Military Academy (USMA) There was…
Summer Reading Book & Film Club – Central Jersey History
Views: 6,002 Summer is a great time for readers to take a book to the beach or just sit in a lounge chair in the backyard and read a good… Read More »Summer Reading Book & Film Club – Central Jersey…
History: ‘Down the Shore Everything’s Alright’ Collectibles
Views: 5,134 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… Read More »History: ‘Down the Shore Everything’s Alright’ Collectibles
Top 10 Jersey Shore Historic Places and Events
Views: 6,312 The term “Jersey Shore” is a term used to describe the coastal region of New Jersey that is famous for its beaches and tourist attractions. The word “shore”… Read More »Top 10 Jersey Shore Historic Places and Events
The Boylans American Journey to Build Liberty Corner, Pluckemin and Bernardsville
Views: 3,121 Research Update:Are the Boylans and the Bullions the same family in Liberty Corner? Before Liberty Corner was Liberty Corner, it was Annins Corner AND we also found it… Read More »The Boylans American Journey to Build Liberty Corner, Pluckemin…
UPDATE: Evicted – Non-Profit Friends of Vanderveer House Vacate Bedminster Property
Views: 4,684 October 11, 2025While on a dual-purpose visit to Bedminster, MLHP stopped by to see the 2025 Bedminster Fall Fest and the 2025 Somerset County History Weekend, a county-wide… Read More »UPDATE: Evicted – Non-Profit Friends of Vanderveer House Vacate…
Bedminster Township’s Vanderveer Knox House
Views: 11,910 UPDATE: July 31, 2025: A new Bedminster Township-led commission has taken over the property and its contents, creating a new mission to preserve and promote the Vanderveer House… Read More »Bedminster Township’s Vanderveer Knox House
Betsy Ross is Really Buried in Basking Ridge, New Jersey?
Views: 17,189 Flag Designer Betsy Ross and Her Basking Ridge Ties – Lore or Fact? “Here lies the woman who made the first banner containing the stars and stripes after… Read More »Betsy Ross is Really Buried in Basking Ridge, New…
Why EVERYONE Should Fly THIS American Flag & Don’t Ask Betsy Ross
Views: 9,855 Meet Francis Hopkinson – New Jersey signer #Jersey5 signer of the Declaration of Independence, who also designed, presented, and received the Continental Congress’s Approval as America’s First official… Read More »Why EVERYONE Should Fly THIS American Flag & Don’t…
Millington’s Garden State Fireworks Lighting America’s Nights Since 1890
Views: 3,941 Long Hill Township, in Morris County, is made up of the villages of Stirling, Millington, Gillette, Meyersville, and Homestead Park. Each village has its own unique character, with… Read More »Millington’s Garden State Fireworks Lighting America’s Nights Since 1890
New Jersey’s Gift to America 250 – A July 4 Celebration You Must See
Views: 3,240 RAIN or SHINE – EVERY July 4th at 10:30 am – Join friends and family on Independence Day as the Washington Camp Ground Association honors the American flag,… Read More »New Jersey’s Gift to America 250 – A July…
THE First American Flag and Middlebrook, New Jersey
Views: 15,285 Isn’t it great when you think you know about something only to find out that someone else has shown up with a different answer? Well, I hate to… Read More »THE First American Flag and Middlebrook, New Jersey
Independence Day – Kudos to New Jersey Signers #jersey5
Views: 16,577 The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It was engrossed on parchment, and on August 2, 1776, delegates began signing it. Jefferson drafted… Read More »Independence Day – Kudos to New Jersey Signers #jersey5
Herb Patullo – Bound Brook’s Ultimate History Legend
Views: 2,172 Meet Herb Patullo, Bound Brook’s great historian and a true American. While Herb passed in 2020, his work is legendary in Somerset County. Herbert “Herb” Patullo (1929–2020) was… Read More »Herb Patullo – Bound Brook’s Ultimate History Legend
History of the Jersey Tomato
Views: 17,488 It’s revered. It originates in Central and South America, dating back to the 1500s, and originated in the region now modern-day Mexico. Indigenous peoples in Central and South… Read More »History of the Jersey Tomato
The first American Flag was authorized by the 2nd Continental Congress and created by Francis Hopkinson of Congress and of the Maritime Committee on JUN 14, 1777 (now Flag Day). It was flown at Middlebrook. Hopkinson is buried in Philadelphia.
It was 13 stripes, and a blue field containing 13 six point (not five point stars) in a a pattern of 3,2,3,2,3 either vertically or horiziontally.
When Bound Brook Library in New Jersey reopens you can see it flying in their two murals or at the annual ceremony at Washington’s Campgrounds in the Watchungs.
Ross became popular in the 1790s.