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Happy Holidays from all of us at the
Mr. Local History Project

“A 501c3 Non-Profit Dedicated to Preserving and Promoting Jersey History with a Social Twist”

As 2024 draws to a close, our gift to you is some of the great traditions and local history around New Jersey.
It’s also a great time for Jersey History gifts as we open our Mr. Local History Holiday History Boutique.
Please also consider an end-of-year donation to our 501c3 efforts, as they are tax deductible!
Happy Holidays, everyone!

Featured Stories

100th Basking Ridge Caroling On the Green Live Stream (Replay)
Livestream Link - Basking Ridge's Christmas Eve Sing on the Green - 7 PM Live Feed Details

The town of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, welcomes its 100th annual Christmas Eve Sing on The Town Green at 7pm on Dec. 24, 2023. The town's residents, friends, and guests gather to sing traditional carols and celebrate local history, documented by the Mr. Local History Project.

Bucket List Invitation – Basking Ridge Christmas Eve Sing 100th Anniversary
Tonight at 7 PM Sharp - Basking Ridge's 100th Anniversary Town Sing

Every year on December 24th, at 7 pm on the ” Town Green”, residents, families, friends, and guests gather in Basking Ridge

Jersey Businesses That Have A Line Out the Door Every Christmas Eve
Jersey Businesses That Have A Line Out the Door Every Christmas Eve

if you want to put “Jersey’s Best” on the table for the holidays. Mostly tied to butcher shops and bakeries, living here in North Jersey, the Mr. Local History Project team has a few favorites’ to share.

Keepsake: 100th Anniversary of the Basking Ridge Christmas Eve Carolling
Keepsake: 100th Anniversary of the Basking Ridge Christmas Eve Carolling

The 100th Year Anniversary! Every year on December 24th for 100 years at 7pm on “The Town Green”, residents, families, friends, and guests gather in Basking Ridge, New Jersey for around 30 minutes to sing Christmas carols, wish good tidings, then move on to… Read More »Keepsake: 100th Anniversary of the Basking Ridge Christmas Eve Carolling

History of the Town Christmas Tree and the Basking Ridge Fire Company
History of the Town Christmas Tree and the Basking Ridge Fire Company

Every year, the Basking Ridge Fire Department erects a locally donated 30-foot evergreen tree on the town green. The fire personnel also decorate the tree which becomes a central piece for the town's holiday celebrations.

Lucy the Elephant and Ford Mansion Make NJ Village Collection
Lucy the Elephant and Ford Mansion Make NJ Village Collection

The Mayor of New Jersey’s Historic Village has decreed two icons be added to the New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Collection recently in a bold move to expand the only set of New Jersey collectible icons. Produced in conjunction with the Mr. Local History Project in conjunction with the Cat’s Meow Village, a small company… Read More »Lucy the Elephant and Ford Mansion Make NJ Village Collection

Why Your Donation Matters
Why Your Donation Matters

is NOW It’s called Giving Tuesday and comes after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. But “Giving Tuesday could be ANY day,

Jersey Presidental Legacy: Grover Cleveland and Now Donald Trump
Non - Consecutive Term Presidents - First was from New Jersey. Now there are Two.

Presidents #22 and #24 and Now #45 and #47 – Only Two Presidents to Serve Non-Consecutive Terms.

Remembering Lost Jersey Businesses is Fun History
Remembering Lost Jersey Businesses is Fun History

Mr Local History loves history with a social twist. In fact, it’s our motto! So we got to thinking how fun would it be to share some of the most loved New Jersey businesses that have disappearedRead More »Remembering Lost Jersey Businesses is Fun History

Who Brings Their Jersey Village Collectibles out Just for the Holidays?
Who Brings Their Jersey Village Collectibles out Just for the Holidays?

We have been told a terrible rumor. Is it true? Do some people bring out their Jersey Cat’s Meow collectibles only for the holidays?

Seven Wonders of the World from Historic New Jersey
Seven Wonders of the World from Historic New Jersey

What are the seven most important historic things that New Jersey has given to the world over our illustrious history? What would rank as the seven wonders of the world that New Jersey has given. Read More »Seven Wonders of the World from Historic New Jersey

Jersey’s History Bucket List
Jersey’s History Bucket List

Wow, this story was one of our most controversial and difficult stories we’ve ever prepared. Just the thought of picking only 10 Jersey historic sites is an insane task. But I think we’re up to it. The 10 most historic things you need to see in Jersey before you kick the bucket. Gathered over the… Read More »Jersey’s History Bucket List

The New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Keepsake Collection
The New Jeresey Historic Keepsake Collection Keeps Growing

The MLH Project is proud to be the largest reseller of the New Jersey Historic Wooden Keepsake Collection, created by the world-famous Cat’s Meow Village.

President Trump’s Historic Summer White House in Bedminster, New Jersey
President Trump’s Historic Summer White House in Bedminster, New Jersey

In a sleepy area in the Somerset Hills of central New Jersey, the former President of the United States still comes to summer at a house with a storied history. The Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, known as President Trump’s Summer White House, occupies 535 acres of beautiful countryside in central New Jersey...more

Remebering the Waterloo Village Concert Series
Remebering the Waterloo Village Concert Series

In 1977, Waterloo Village opened an open-air concert field about a mile down the road from the historic village to raise restoration funds. The advertisements on WDHA, WNEW, WPL, WLIR, WDRE shared....

Wildwood's History, Architecture, Neon, Beach and that DOO WOP!
Wildwood's History, Architecture, Neon, Beach and that DOO WOP!

Wildwood, New Jersey, is known as the “Doo Wop Capital of the Universe. Take a trip back in time as MLH shares Wildwood's history, architecture, boardwalk, beach, neon, and yes DOO WOP!

Jerolaman’s General Store- A Bernardsville Store That Won’t Be Forgotten
Jerolaman’s General Store- A Bernardsville Store That Won’t Be Forgotten

Sometimes history creeps up on you when you least expect it. A few years ago our project wanted to honor a small multi-generational store that had been around for generations and then it was gone. Not only is the business gone, but so is the innocence that so many people cling to as part of… Read More »Jerolaman’s General Store- A Bernardsville Store That Won’t Be Forgotten

Sandwiches Invented in New Jersey
Sandwiches Invented in New Jersey

While watching an old episode of Man vs. Food Nation, food critic and comedian Adam Richman showed some awesome sandwiches from Jersey. Adam got us thinking, what are the sandwiches that define New Jersey? We’ve reached out to the public for their advice and we’ve hit the road to find answers across the state. Jerseyans… Read More »Sandwiches Invented in New Jersey

History of the Jersey Tomato
History of the Jersey Tomato

It’s revered. It has its origins in Central and South America dating back to the 1500s and originated in the region that is now modern-day Mexico. Fast forward a few centuries, here in New Jersey the story of the tomato dates back to the late 18th century when tomatoes were introduced to the region. Initially, tomatoes were met with suspicion and considered poisonous by some, as they are part of the nightshade… Read More »History of the Jersey Tomato

How Raritan, NJ Was the Venue Officially Ending World War I
How Raritan, NJ Was the Venue Officially Ending World War I

Somerset County is well known for its importance regarding the Revolutionary War, but many may not know the impact Somerset County had on World War I.
Read More »How Raritan, NJ Was the Venue Officially Ending World War I

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This Week’s Top 10 Posts

Latest Research

Recent Comments

Jersey History Posts

Jersey history – over 450 researched stories.
From Fort Lee to Cape May and everywhere in between.
Take a look.

“Wear Local History” Collection
Brings Back Memories

MLH has digitally recreated lost businesses from the 1900s to the 1980s, producing over 250 designs of iconic vintage logos.
Click Here

Jersey History Wooden Art Keepsakes

Preserving Jersey Icons on Wood
See the Collection


Mr. Local History Scholarship Fund

Stories, Stories, and More Stories

Researched by Mr. Local History himself, see over ten years of research on the internet to share the history.

The Mr. Local History 2024 Holiday Magazine

See our quarterly digital magazine for FREE. Full of great local Jersey History.

Events Calendar

Signature Events, Tours, Fundraisers, and Speaking engagements.

The New Jersey Historic Village Wooden Collection

35 iconic local Jersey Collectibles made exclusively for the Mr. Local History Project by the world famous “Cat’s Meow Village” of Wooster, Ohio. Once they sell out, they’re usually gone forever.

Like Historic Photos?

Over the years our researchers have gathered some great historic photos. Take a look as we “Dig In the Archives”

“I love sharing stories about the history of Jersey food. If one thing people miss when they leave Jersey, it’s the food. We dig in!”

Brooks Betz aka Mr. Local History

“What is the point of being alive if you don’t know history?”

Meg Wastie – Education Team Lead

“The Mr. Local History Project covers some really unique stuff. I mean who digs into the history of Jersey Food? MLH does”

Ms. Paula Axt – Tour Guide and Education

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I join the Mr. Local History Project

The Mr. Local History Project is a 100% volunteer organization. Want to join us? No problem. There are no membership fees, and you only need to support one of our efforts. Programs include education, research, guided tours, or one of our many events.. You can even start something of your own. Visit our Contact Us page and drop us a note to get involved.

Are you a historical society?

No, but we are a 501c3 registered charity non-profit, meaning you can donate to the Mr. Local History Project, and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Every penny goes back into our programs.

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