On April 24-26, 2017 the New Jersey town of Basking Ridge lost its oldest resident, the Basking Ridge historic white oak tree. What was estimated to be over 600 years old, no one ever imagined that the tree would die… Read More »Basking Ridge Oak Tree Community Photo Album
On April 24-26, 2017 the New Jersey town of Basking Ridge lost its oldest resident, the Basking Ridge historic white oak tree. What was estimated to be over 600 years old, no one ever imagined that the tree would die… Read More »Comparing Basking Ridge’s Oak to the World’s Oldest Trees
On the internet, we’ve created the #3LOCALHISTORYEVENTCHALLENGE, where you share your town’s three most historic events. As the historian for Bernards Township, representing Bernards Towns#hip and its four hamlets is a great honor. We’re always looking for ways to showcase… Read More »Three Historic Moments That Changed Basking Ridge & America
Americans think the Biden/Trump election was one for the ages, exposing huge ideological beliefs, highly charged politics, and a fight for American values. Looking back at history, most people know the presidential challenges as the country tore apart as two… Read More »America’s First Republican Vice President Nominee – Basking Ridge’s William Dayton Beats out Abraham Lincoln
What started on Labor Day weekend in 1949 will hold a place in many local residents’ hearts as one of the biggest and best community annual events held over Labor Day weekend. We take a look back at the history… Read More »Retrospective: The Acclaimed Kiwanis Community Fair in Basking Ridge
Note: The survey and petition are simple. Nothing changes except we start including the term “Historic” moving forward as we promote our town and its historic hamlets. No changes to town historic districts, no additional property taxes, no building restrictions….… Read More »Bernards Twp, Basking Ridge, Liberty Corner Survey Question
Be part of the story! The Mr. Local History Project is looking for anyone with stories and photos they’d like to share for a research project about the Kiwanis fair that ran at the Oak Street school grounds in Basking… Read More »The Iconic Kiwanis Fair in Basking Ridge – Did you go? Be part of the Story
Lord Stirling, Rev War Buildings, First Airmail, Tuskegee Airmen, the VA, a proposed Super Airport and more historic moments tie back to this small strip of land in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. If you were driving around the small town… Read More »The Lost Somerset Hills Airport in Basking Ridge
NOTE: Remember that Far Hills and Bernardsville were part of Bernards Township until the 1920 so these names do cover those areas as well History showcases some of the greatest reminders of where we came from. Many people new to… Read More »The Founding Families of Bernards Township (Basking Ridge)
NOTE: While I sit in the house under self distancing work from home for the COVID 19 virus, we take a look back at a hospital in Basking Ridge, New Jersey that very few people knew. And the amazing part… Read More »History Dig: The Army Hospital was in Basking Ridge and NOT Jockey Hollow
James Monroe was an American statesman, lawyer, diplomat and “Founding Father” who served as the fifth president of the United States from 1817 to 1825. A member of the Democratic-Republican Party, Monroe was the last president of the Virginia dynasty.… Read More »Retrospect: President James Monroe Had Ties to Basking Ridge
For many the downtown village of Basking Ridge is a bucolic vision of a Rockwell American town. Dotted with small shops, churches, and eateries, you don’t have to travel back in time too far when one of the biggest businesses… Read More »Looking Back – Werring Chevrolet-Olds in Basking Ridge
The Mr. Local History project got a request the other day asking why is the Ridge High School sports program called the Red Devils and why are they using the color green? It’s a history thing. Lets take a look.… Read More »Why is Basking Ridge Called the Red Devils and Why are They Green?
In a sleepy little section in the northern end of Bernards Township lies the Olde Mill Inn. Once just a small restaurant and former grain house barn, it has become a quiet getaway for Hollywood elite and social royalty. As… Read More »They Stayed In Basking Ridge
The Mr. Local History Project honors the former Bernards Township’s historian June Kennedy showcasing our “June in December” tree honoring her dedication to community and local history. The Festival of Trees is an indoor exhibit of decorated Christmas trees by… Read More »“June in December” Tree Honors June Kennedy at Festival of Trees in Basking Ridge