2009 - The Brick Academy, home to The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills, reaches its bicentennial and turns 200 years old. Happy Birthday!
1921 - Far Hills was actually part of Bernards Township until seceding in 1921. Rising taxes led the 200 residents of Far Hills to decide to separate from Bernards Township and to incorporate as a Borough. The local property tax rate jumped from $2.72 in 1919 to $3.53 in 1920.
Charter Day commemorates the anniversary of the May 24, 1760 granting of a township Charter by King George II of England, establishing Bernardston
Township. This act was as a courtesy and in appreciation for the
services of Sir Francis Bernard, Royal Governor of New Jersey. From January 27, 1758 to July 4, 1760 Sir Francis Bernard, son of a British Reverend was appointed for two years as Royal Governor of New Jersey.
The Brick Academy, home to the Historical Society of theSomerset Hills will be open for the entire day celebrating it's 201st birthday. We hope you'll stop by for a visit. We are just off the town green.
Above: Governor Francis Bernard, Governor of New Jersey (1758-1760) sits below a replica of the official Charter of Bernardston. Click on each image to learn more.
The Brick Academy's
201st Birthday Close down the streets - it's time for a festival!
This will be Bernards Township's 16th
Annual Charter Day Festival promises to be
a fun and festive day with food, games, rides for the kids, local vendors, art displays, service groups
and reminders of history all joined together at this annual street fair and festival right in the heart of the Bernards Twp section of downtown Basking Ridge.
The Brick Academy will be open from 11am-5pm. Stop by to see new exhibits, the new schoolhouse top floor. New gifts and keepsakes for the kids. Just off the Town Green.
Street Fair 11am-5pm
Entertainment – 11am-10pm
Local businesses, community groups, service organizations, food vendors and more!
Rides, games and attractions for children of all ages on the Oak Street Field.
Concert at 7pm on the main stage
HISTORY, THE ARTS,
MUSIC, & FUN
Expect visitors to the downtown Basking Ridge section of Bernards Twp celebration to reach over 10,000 as the festivities commence with the Town Crier conducting the opening ceremonies on the downtown green at 11am. Bernards Twp includes the areas including Basking Ridge, Lyons, Liberty Corner, and West Millington.
Musical entertainment will include musical groups
performing on two stages and will include a local "Battle of the Bands" event at the Henry Street stage from 1-4pm.
The nearby Oak Street school field will be the place for kiddie rides, attractions,
moon bounces, slides, and other various rides for kids young and old.
The day promises to be one filled with crafts, games, rides, music,
art, food, vendors, historical displays, local school and organizations'
participation.
What better way to celebrate the Township's history than
by living it? Happy birthday, Bernards Township!
BERNARDS TWP
The Brick Academy's 
Musical entertainment will include musical groups
performing on two stages and will include a local "Battle of the Bands" event at the Henry Street stage from 1-4pm.
