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MLH Honors Back to School with Historic School Images From the Somerset Hills

Schools in the Somerset Hills area of northern Somerset County have been a mainstay back to the mid-1700s. We honor the history of these memorable facilities in images from various sources now in our digital research archives.

For the 2020-2021 school children in the area are finally going back to school in with unique guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But have faith, this look back at our history tells us we will survive, and our children will thrive once again.

NOTE:
As with all Mr. Local History retrospectives, we often update the post when we learn stories and are sent photos from our community. We will continue to expand this piece as information becomes available.

Did You Attend Classes at Schools in the Area?

The Mr. Local History Project would love to hear from you at the end of the piece if you have any memories of these schools. Enjoy the look back.

The Somerset Hills schools include those from Bedminster, Bedminster, Bernardsville, Far Hills, Peapack and Gladstone.

Bedminster Historic School Images

Bedminster is part of the Somerset Hills Board of Education District. Remember also that Far Hills, Peapack, and Gladstone were part of Bedminster, New Jersey up until the mid-1920s.

  • Pluckemin Presbyterian Church School, circa 1910
  • Historic Somerset County Marker - Pluckemin School House 1912
  • Bedminster School postcard 1914
  • Bedminster School postcard 1921
  • Lamington, Foot of the Lane School, pre-1930s burned
  • The original Matheny School on Burnt Mill Road -1900-1930. It later moved to the Blairsden Estate in Peapack, New Jersey
  • Pluckemin School House-Mr Local History
  • Bedminster School postcard 1970
  • The Pluckemin Schoolhouse in Bedminster is now the Somerset Contemporary Art Association

Bernardsville Historic School Images

Bernardsville is part of the Somerset Hills Board of Education District. Remember also that these three areas were part of Bernards Township, New Jersey up until the mid-1920s. So Basking Ridge high school students attended Bernards High School up until 1961 when Bernards Township erected Ridge High School.

  • The Somerset Inn was one of the most popular destinations in the Somerset Hills atop the Bernardsville Mountain. It was so popular and people stayed so long, they erected this school house for it's guests children.
  • Bernardsville High School Postcard - c1900
  • Originally used as Bernards High School, the Olcott Building now houses the Somerset Hills School District’s administrative offices. The hulking granite structure, located at 25 Olcott Ave., is similar in style to some of Hardenbergh’s other architectural endeavors, such as the Plaza Hotel.
  • Bernards_High_c1930 Mr Local History Project
  • Bernards High School c1960
  • Bernardsville's Olcott School 1964
  • Olcott Avenue School is but one historic structure within Bernardsville's first historic district area, the area's appeal and historic significance is part of the story of the rise of the middle class in Bernardsville.

Bernards Township Historic School Images

Bernards Township, including Basking Ridge and Liberty Corner are part of the Bernards Township Board of Education District.

Ridge High School is a four-year comprehensive community public high school serving … Ridge High School opened in September 1961. Prior to this, Bernards Township students attended Bernards High School.

  • An artist rendering of the first church and schoolhouse in the Somerset Hills which was started back in the 1750s.
  • Brick Academy Sketch c1900 when the school was being considered for expansion.
  • BRICK ACADEMY - Built for his classical school, 1809, by Rev. Robert Finley. Became a public school, 1853-1903, and the township hall in 1924.
  • Brick Academy dressed for the township's Bicentennial c.1960. While it had been a private and a public school, in this image the Academy served as the Municipal Town Hall, court, and police station.
  • Brick Academy-3rd-4th-grade. We don't have the year but know that students were asked not to smile or be noted as "deranged".
  • Liberty Corner School in Bernards Township was founded in 1905. Liberty Corner School, located in the Liberty Corner Section of Bernards Township was built in 1905 for a farming community. It is a nationally recognized landmark registered with the New Jersey Register of Historic Places. It is the oldest school in the district.
  • Liberty Corner School students out front taking their class photo. c1915
  • Maple Ave School 1910 Postcard. The school lasted until the 1960s when it was replaced by the current Bernards Township Library. It served as both an elementary and middle school during various years.
  • The Ridge High School logo was launched in 1961.
  • 1961 Ridge High School floorplan. The first high school in the township opened in 1961.
  • The William Annin Middle_School in Bernards Township - The school dedication took place on September 28, 1969. Before this students went to Maple Avenue and Oak Street Schools.

Far Hills, Peapack, Gladstone Historic School Images

These towns are also part of the Somerset Hills Board of Education District. Remember also that these three areas were part of Bedminster, New Jersey up until the mid-1920s.

  • Far Hills School and Schley Hall on the Far Hills Fairgrounds c.1900
  • FH-Far Hills Grammar School, grades 6-8, 1921 . Source: NJDH
  • The Far Hills-Schley Hall before being torn Down- Fairgrounds - 1968.
  • Peapack-Gladstone School, circa 1915. The school was part of the Bedminster Township at the time
  • Mt. St John Academy in Gladstone was once the Mosley Estate. This image is from Oct 1969
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Have an old image in the attic you’d like to share?

The Mr. Local History Project is always looking for local historic images. If you have a photo you’d like to share, just click the link and send it in.

Click here.
Remember to tell us us the school and year.

Mr. Local History Project

View Comments

  • Went to kindergarten at Ridge High in 52/53. Rhen 4 years at Maple Avenue. Then 5th and 6th grade at Cedar Hill which was just built.
    I also remember a friend of my mother had a picture of her class at Maple Avenue, probably around 1920.

  • Pre-K to Grade 2 at Liberty Corner from 1991-1995, 3-5 at Cedar Hill from 1995-1998, William Annin 6-8, Then Graduated from RHS in 2005 and went to LMU in California. Out of all of them, Cedar Hill was probably my favorite :-)

  • Do you know the name of the boarding school that in the 1920s was on the site of what is now The Far Hills Mall?

    Thanks,
    Larry

    • The only school we recall is the Far Hills School that was built by the Schleys in the story. But that wasn't in the mall area, but on the Fairgrounds. Was pre-1920.

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