Step into the unofficial kickoff to Summer 2026 with Mr. Local History for a fun, fast-moving journey through New Jersey’s past and America 250. Inside this issue: meet New Jersey’s 5 signers of the Declaration of Independence, revisit Memorial Day memories, and explore what July 4, 2026, might look like 250 years later. Discover New Jersey’s ultimate America 250 experience in Bridgewater and dive into the NJ250 Events Calendar, promoted as the largest list anywhere.
Cover: Mr Local History Magazine Vol 8 Issue 2
Our cover honors summer’s unofficial kickoff, America’s 250th celebrations, and history across New Jersey. The cover features the 5 New Jersey signers of the Declaration of Independence in order as listed on the document, were Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, and Abraham Clark), as well as the first American flag approved by Congress, signed by Francis Hopkinson, which was first flown in Bridgewater, New Jersey.
This issue also spotlights Bernardsville’s Old Stone Tavern and Freddy’s, counts down 10 Jersey Shore historic icons, explores New Jersey’s best America 250 exhibits, and delivers Revolutionary War history made just for New Jersey readers. And because this is Jersey history, expect a few surprises too, including Liberty Corner’s unexpected “nudist colony” story. History, road trips, local legends, and America 250 excitement all packed into 1 issue. The only question is: where will you get out there?
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Volume 8 – Issue 2 – We’re Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary with So Much History and So Much to Do.
YES… a Revolutionary Pub Crawl for America 250 is Coming to Bernardsville, New Jersey
Views: 32 YES… a Revolutionary Pub Crawl for America 250 is coming to Bernardsville, New Jersey, Saturday, October 10, 2026. Is there a better way to honor America’s 250th anniversary than to join General Washington, Ben Franklin & other time…
Meet HistOracle AI: New Jersey Team Brings History’s Voices Back to Life
Views: 433 For centuries, historians have relied on books, letters, artifacts, and exhibits to tell the stories of the past. But what if visitors could do something more? What if they could actually sit down and have a conversation with…
America’s Grandest Estate in Basking Ridge Archaeological Dig Continues
Views: 570 UPDATE:Wednesday, June 18, 2026, Session 13 – 02:00 PM – 03:15 PM, hear the panel explore, through the lens of archaeology, the past, present, and future of “The Buildings,” the former estate of Revolutionary War General William Alexander, also known…
Memorial Day Tribute
Views: 5,781 Honoring those we’ve lost and those veterans who have served. Soldiers showcased in the video who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country: More Mr. Local History Our Readers’ Top 10 MLH Posts this Week
Independence Day – Kudos to New Jersey Signers #jersey5
Views: 21,254 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 the statement between June 11 and 28, submitted drafts to…
Somerville Bike Race – The Oldest Race in America & a Jersey Memorial Day Staple
Views: 6,381 It’s the oldest cycling race in America – right in Somerville, New Jersey, every Memorial Day for 85 years! It’s the “Kentucky Derby of Cycling.” I laid on the ground at turn two and thought all would be…
America’s Oldest Nudist Colony is in Liberty Corner, New Jersey
Views: 41,945 The Sky Farm Music & Arts festival is going to be one of the largest events Sky Farm has ever held. Several bands and performers will be on hand to provide live music throughout the day. A variety…
New Jersey’s Gift to America’s 250th – A July 4th Celebration You Must Experience
Views: 4,874 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, the playing of the Star Spangled Banner, and the reading…
Bernardsville’s Historic Old Stone Tavern & Hotel – Destination Brings a Whole Bunch of History
Views: 1,624 NEWSFLASH:June 12, 2026 – Ristorante MV now owns the building known to locals as the Old Stone Hotel, which they’ve been renting. Now that’s an event. Congratulations It’s really fun when you get the chance to document an…
What America at 250 Means To You as A New Jerseyian
Views: 3,100 UPDATE:EXTENSION – Submissions to the program have been extended to give everyone a bit more time to complete and submit their thoughts, as well as to share their experiences over the July 4th period, providing additional retrospective in…
Jersey’s Iconic Biggest Food Challenges
Views: 710 New Jersey does not just have great food; it has a habit of turning everyday favorites into something bigger, messier, and more over-the-top than anyone expects. From stacked deli sandwiches and grease-truck creations to loaded cheesesteaks, Italian subs,…
Take 2 Minutes and 18 Seconds to Celebrate America
Views: 1,361 It takes around two minutes and eighteen seconds to sing God Bless America. Mr. Local History took a trip to the “Field of Honor,” an annual tradition at the Jacobus Vanderveer House in Bedminster, New Jersey. Sit back,…
Documenting America’s 250th Across New Jersey
Views: 244 We’re going to try to do our best to get out there and experience America’s 250th across New Jersey by attending what we can. The most fun has to be not only learning more about the history but…
Morristown and America’s History – A Critical Piece to Our Nations History Puzzle
Views: 642 In New Jersey, any serious study of the Revolutionary War inevitably leads to Morristown. More than just a waypoint, Morristown became the strategic and symbolic heart of the Continental Army during its darkest and most decisive years. Twice…
New Jersey’s America 250 Events Calendar
Views: 8,632 BOOKMARK this Site and Come Back Often – Updated Daily “It’s the most extensive America 250 Events Calendar for New Jersey 250. This free statewide calendar is open to all New Jersey organizers to share America’s Semiquincentennial 250th…
New Jersey and America’s 250th Exhibits
Views: 1,416 “It’s the most extensive 250th Exhibit List we’ve seen for New Jersey.“ This free statewide exhibit list is open to all New Jersey organizers to share information about America’s 250th-anniversary exhibits happening across the Garden State. From local…
New Jersey’s Oldest Yacht Club is RYC – But is it Riverton or Raritan?
Views: 2,405 Although both the Raritan Yacht Club in Perth Amboy and the Riverton Yacht Club are on the opposite sides of New Jersey, they both state to have been founded in 1865. Published sources currently give the Riverton Yacht…
Sailing New Jersey- Yacht Clubs-Trophies- History
Views: 1,003 From early shore and lake recreation to organized racing, the culture of sailboats in New Jersey grew out of everyday life on the water. While formal club racing began with the New York Yacht Club in Hoboken with…
The New York Yacht Club Actually Started in New Jersey
Views: 1,366 If you asked most American sailors to name the single most recognized burgee in the country, the answer is almost always the burgee of the New York Yacht Club. That recognition comes straight out of history. Founded in…
