The Vanderveer house served as headquarters for General Henry Knox during the winter of 1778-79, when the Continental Army artillery was located in the village of Pluckemin during the Revolutionary War's Second Middlebrook Encampment. The house is the only known building still standing that was associated with the Pluckemin Artillery Cantonment. The artillery park and military academy is considered to be the first installation in America to train officers in engineering and artillery and predates the United States Military Academy at West Point (est.1802) by twenty four years.
One of the most noted events in Pluckemin was The Grand Alliance Ball of 1779 in Pluckemin. General Washington and 400 others attended the celebration held on the grounds of the Boylan House in 1779. The ball celebrated the first anniversary of the alliance with France, which ended in victory for the allies at Yorktown. The ball was attended by more than 400 dignitaries. George and Martha Washington attended the ball that took place on grounds of what was the John Boylan home, near the northwest side of the Cornelius Eoff farm.
See the first replication of the Bernardston Charter
At the Brick Academy
11-4pm - Main Lobby
Click the image to enlarge!
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.
Street Fair 11am-5pm
Entertainment – 11am-10pm
The original Charter Day was May 24, 1760
Celebrate Bernards Township's
251st Anniversary
MAY 21, 2011
Charter Day commemorates the anniversary of the 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 202nd 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 next to a replica of the official Charter of Bernardston. Click on each image to learn more.
Close Down the Streets -
It's Time for a Festival!
This will be Bernards Township's 17th
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.
Limited Availability:
This sure to be a classic Bernards Township local collectible, "Around and About - Basking Ridge, Liberty Corner, and Lyons, a 148 page limited release available from the Historical Society of the Somerset Hills at the Brick Academy.
The book is available for direct purchase for $20.00
Author: June Kennedy (pictured)
Update:
A limited number of copies are still available - Click Here for details
HISTORY, THE ARTS,
MUSIC, & FUN
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!
Start today and learn more about the wonderful history of Bernards Twp, and the entire Somerset Hills area. Visit http://www.thssh.org/history101.php and begin your journey!
Parking and shuttle bus available at the Municipal Complex on Collyer Lane and Ridge High School.
Exhibits & Booth Space
Registration begins in Early March 2011
(2011 REGISTRATION CLOSED- SOLD OUT)
To request booth space for the
Bernards Twp 2012 Charter Day Festival, please contact:
Celebrate Bernards Township's 
Close Down the Streets - 
local collectible, "Around and About - Basking Ridge, Liberty Corner, and Lyons, a 148 page limited release available from the Historical Society of the Somerset Hills at the Brick Academy.
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.
