Coloring book fans now have the opportunity to color the local history of the Somerset Hills area of New Jersey while learning about the areas historic sites and most memorable moments. What was in the works for almost 10 years, the Somerset… Read More »Somerset Hills History Coloring Book
The history of bowling is one of those notable glimpses back into American culture. I mean, who didn’t like bowling. Bowling has typically had two separate groups of admirers. There were league bowlers and social bowlers.Then we had kid bowling (with a party flare)… Read More »Bowling History in the Somerset Hills
The Blairsden Estate in Peapack Gladstone, New Jersey, is certainly one of the greatest examble of beaux arts mansions in the United States. For a short thirty day window this private estate is open to the public as part of… Read More »Historic Blairsden Estate Opens to Public
Bernardsville News – August 15, 2013 As part of the Bernardsville News history retrospective, this piece was recently reported to have occured 75 years ago. Based on the original article posted back on June 30, 1938, there seems to be… Read More »Wheeler Corporation Builds New Jersey’s First Stran Steel Home in Basking Ridge – 1938
Are you thinking of living in Basking Ridge? Why are people moving to Basking Ridge, New Jersey, you ask? Contrary to the typical stereotypes, New Jersey has a lot to offer. Those who look at Basking Ridge, known formally as… Read More »Thinking of Living in Basking Ridge, New Jersey? – Top 10 Reasons
2012 – Turpin Realtors in Far Hills posted that Blairsden, once New Jersey’s largest mansion, is offering the prestigious estate for sale on its website. Blairsden is noted as probably the most famous mansion in the area, and for a… Read More »Historic Blairsden NJ Mansion For Sale – At a Discount!
Bernardsville News –Consolidation of five local towns advocatedPosted: Friday, July 15, 2011 3:00 am EDITOR: When will enough be enough? The runaway costs for public services have come to a point where hard decisions have to be made and services… Read More »Consolidate 5 NJ Towns NOW – New Somerset Hills Township
Map Identifies Historic Properties, Owners, Building Locations, Local History Including the Often Ignored Pluckemin Artillery Park With over 2,000 hours of painstaking research and countless renderings, the landscaping firm of John Charles Smith & Associates of Far Hills is preparing… Read More »Bedminster Map Project Reveals Historic Pluckemin Artillery Park
Update The Mr. Local History Project recently learned there is a Sky Farm Historical Society under the direction of Janice Gersky that is working to digitize their document and photo archives. Might be time to schedule a visit. America’s First… Read More »America’s Oldest Clothing-Optional Club is in Basking Ridge
Noted High Society Playboy and Titanic Survivor Brings Notoriety to Bernards Township. It’s a fun story, but you have to hang in there. First, we must provide a little background about John’s father, who didn’t survive the Titanic disaster. In… Read More »Titanic Survivor Astor and Basking Ridge
Everyone knows how controversial lists can be. But then again, it does give you something to talk about. And it probably sells a bunch of magazines to boot. So where does Irvington rank/560 – Camden/481 – Newark/ You don’t want… Read More »New Jersey’s Best Towns 2010
Below are the original research notes as I had spent years researching contradicting information on the Widow White’s Tavern in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Often I like to post research in hopes that other researchers can see what’s been gathered… Read More »What Happened to Mary White and Widow White’s Tavern
While attending a program entitled “Early American Schoolhouses” at the Brick Academy in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, the instructor passed out handouts that discussed rules for students, teachers, and punishments in 1872. Meg Wastie, program coordinator at the Museum of Early… Read More »Student Rules Then and Now
We’re all about Joisey History, but with a social twist! The Mr. Local History Project is a 501c3 all-volunteer non-profit public charity incorporated on October 15, 2019. It brings locals together to “preserve and promote local history with a social… Read More »About the Mr. Local History Project
Did you know that portions of the 2004 film The Stepford Wives were filmed in Bedminster (Lamington), New Jersey?
Stepford stars in area to film movie remake
Nicole Kidman, Bette Midler perform in Bedminster, sleep at Bernards Hotel
The Bernardsville News
By SANDY STUART , Staff Writer 07/10/2003
BEDMINSTER TWP. – A picture-perfect barn complex and sunny skies greeted Nicole Kidman and a host of Hollywood actors this week, during the filming of a scene from the new “Stepford Wives” movie. Kidman, Bette Midler, Matthew Broderick, Glenn Close and Jon Lovitz were among the stars who joined some 200 extras – including many local residents – on a Larger Cross Road estate.
The filming of the scene, which depicts a Fourth of July fair in the fictitious upper-class town of Stepford, began Monday morning amid heavy security provided by the local police department. Filming continued throughout the day Tuesday and was scheduled to wrap up yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, assuming cooperative weather.
Many of the cast and crew members – including Kidman, Midler and director Frank Oz – stayed in luxurious rooms at the Olde Mill Inn in Bernards Township during the filming, according to sources. They were said to have checked out by Wednesday.
In the remake of the 1975 classic thriller, Kidman plays the role of Joanna Eberhart, who has just moved from Manhattan with her husband (Broderick) and children. According to publicist Marsha Robertson, the scene in Bedminster shows the Eberhart family meeting the townspeople of Stepford for the first time at a July 4 celebration.
Among those they encounter are Bobbie Markowe (Midler) and her husband (Lovitz), who are also newcomers to Stepford; as well as the town matriarch, played by Close. Other cast members include Faith Hill, Christopher Walken and Bernardsville native Roger Bart, an original cast member of the Broadway hit, “The Producers.” Hill and Walken did not appear in the Bedminster scene.Read More »Stepford Wives of Somerset Hills (Bedminster)