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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 is to get history in your hands so you can share it. BE PROUD JERSEY!
All proceeds support the preservation and promotion of local history through our educational initiatives, research, and community gatherings. As we’re a registered IRS 501c3 non-profit charity, we also love tax-deductible donations, so our gift shop helps us not ask as much 🙂
All our items are only available here! Our store is open 24/7 and ships right to your door. Browse our real-time inventory, click on your cart, and check out using our safe and secure process. We accept all forms of payment and typically ship within one to two business days.
The easiest way to get one is to order online via Etsy or Red Bubble. Our online store accepts multiple forms of payment, including credit/debit cards and PayPal. Orders are now being taken online. The collection is the ultimate local personal gift. It’s great for those moving into the area or for those who’ve left the area. It also makes great gifts for those who just like to cherish the fond memories of the area.
Mr. Local History’s New Jersey Cat’s Meow Keepsake collection has grown over the years and is now the most extensive collection available in New Jersey. Each site or event is a unique piece of art on the front with the history on the back. Once they’re gone, they’re gone! They also make a great gift to a collector. Always look for the “black cat” to ensure you have an official Cat’s Meow village piece—a true original.
With ongoing discussions and surveys with collectors and Jersey history fans, here’s what the community is endorsing to be added to the New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Collection:
Factors for selection into the NJ collection include the age of the event or property, its connection to the existing collection, local interest, and voting (where applicable). If you’d like to nominate an event or property, feel free to post a comment in the comments section, and the committee will consider your recommendation.
Do you know of a worthy historical addition to the New Jersey Historic Village Collection? Please email us as we love working with organizations to create a keepsake to be nominated to the New Jersey Historic Village Collection. We offer a great program where you can create your keepsake with our inventory for as little as $400.
Many people collect other village pieces and build a collection of villages. The creations are part of the historic Cat’s Meow Village Collection, which has produced iconic wood ornaments for over 40 years.
Local organizations and businesses will produce limited batches of selected New Jersey Historic Wooden Keepsake Village collectibles. All collectibles will be available online via the Mr. Local History Gift Shop.
The Cat’s Meow Village is a small American company founded in Wooster, Ohio, in 1982. It started with one simple wooden house, Faline cut out on her grandfather’s saw in the loft of the hog barn. Thirty-five years later, Jones and her crew continue to craft “little wooden buildings” of local, national, and international landmarks that spark memories and kindle smiles on the faces of “real-life adventurers” like you.
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,…
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…
Honoring Two Stories – Two Men – Two Estates 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…
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…
