The Washington House- A Basking Ridge Icon

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 today as a grand local restaurant. The keepsake shown is painted on wood and is available now at the Mr. Local History Gift Shop.

Available Exclusively at Mr Local History Project

Amazing that it’s been almost seven years since we launched the Historic New Jersey keepsake Village collection in partnership with the Cat’s Meow Village Company. Mr. Local History proudly announces that the village grew again with new additions in 2019. The first release for 2019 was the historic 1871 Washington House in the Basking Ridge Village of Bernards Township. If you’d like to participate and be part of the collection, order yours at the Mr. Local History Gift Shop

The 1871 Washington House

Congratulations – the community has voted, and the winner is the 1871 Washington House in the Basking Ridge Village of Bernards Township. The voting was close, but this is truly a worthy winner.

The Washington House, c. 1911, shows its infamous cupola, which was lost in a terrible fire in 1947. Our collectible recreates this iconic structure as it existed in 1947.

The back of the wood-painted keepsake collectible shows the 1871 Washington House Hotel and Restaurant in the Basking Ridge Village of Bernards Township.

The Mr. Local History Gift Shop is always OPEN. Order your Washington House today by clicking our shop

The Washington House Keepsake is a wooden collectible painted with the historic Washington House and the classic Cat’s Meow black cat.

The Collection

The New Jersey Historic Cat’s Meow Village is part of one of the most prominent wooden collectible creators in the world. The Cat’s Meow Company has been producing iconic images on wood with paint for some of the most historic properties in the world. “It’s a testament to our historic area in northern Somerset County that the Cat’s Meow Company has created such treasures from our community,” stated Brooks Betz, organizer and creator representing the Somerset Hills area. “It’s such a great give back to the community to offer these memories on wood.”

The Cat’s Meow Village is a small company founded in Wooster, Ohio, in 1982 from one simple wooden house Faline cut out on her grandfather’s saw in the loft of the hog barn. Thirty-five years later, Jones, with her crew, continues 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.

The New Jersey Historical Village Collections was created by Mr. Local History and T3 Consortium, LLC, which licensed it to various organizations for fundraising and promotional activities. Sign up for news updates via email or follow us on our social media pages.

“We’re in a position to grow out the village now, and we can’t be more excited,” stated Mr. Local history himself! “I was amazed how much the public felt this establishment was the one they voted for.” After months of gathering public feedback and voting, the committee decided on the best way to grow the village. Make sure you either sign up to the email list or like/follow us on any major social media platform.