Bernards Township 250th Anniversary Commemorative Edition Book

This sure to be a classic Bernards Township 250th Anniversary local collectible, "Around and About - Basking Ridge, Liberty Corner, and Lyons will be a 148 page limited release and only available from the Historical Society of the Somerset Hills. Learn More

Expressing our heritage and history is alive and well, firmly sewn into the fabric of our community ...literally.

Volunteers from a Somerset Hills area quilting group called the "Piecemakers" who gather weekly at the Bishop Janes United Methodist Church in Basking Ridge, have created a handmade quilt depicting some of the most historic sites in Bernards Township to mark the 250th anniversary of Bernards Township.

....learn more

BERNARDS TWP CHARTER DAY

Learn about the grand history and celebrate the 250th Anniversary -
Click the image to enlarge!

Teen captures essence of HistoricVanderveer House as part of her Community Service project.

See the production of a local high school volunteer who tells the story about the history of a Bedminster Township historic landmark. Bianca Pichamuthu, a Ridge High school sophmore creates a video that introduces the Vanderveer House to online visitors.

...more

Bernards Township Street Names

See what's behind the history of your street name...more

Historic Profile

Historic Boudinot House in Basking Ridge Makes National Register

Named after the Continental Congress President and Resident Elias Boudinot.
The Boudinot House was placed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places Sept. 11, 2009 and Dec. 18, 2009 respectively. Elias Boudinot (1740-1821) is believed to have built the house in 1771. A resident of Elizabethtown, he joined the drive for independence and later moved his family to Bernards to escape the British.
....learn more

Historic Barn Relocated and Restored in Liberty Corner

This is a story about how a twenty year dream to build a garage/barn evolved into an elaborate twisting tale of historic preservation and innovative thinking.

"I always wanted another barn on our property," noted Carolyn Knox of the Liberty Corner section of Bernards Twp. ...read more

Teen captures essence of HistoricVanderveer House as part of her Community Service project.

See the production of a local high school volunteer who tells the story about the history of a Bedminster Township historic landmark. Bianca Pichamuthu, a Ridge High school sophmore creates a video that introduces the Vanderveer House to online visitors.

...more

The Peapack-Gladstone Historic Preservation Commission is presenting a lecture detailing the history of ‘Blairsden’, the legendary 1903 Peapack estate of C. Ledyard Blair. Well known history enthusiasts including John C. Smith, local landscape architect and Chairman of the PGHPC; W. Barry Thomson, author and historian; and Mark Alan Hewitt, author and architect will give a Power Point presentation at the Bedminster Township Municipal Building, One Miller Lane, Bedminster.

R.S.V. P. 908-234-1121

Blairsden Estate Update - Learn about the illustrious past and the current state of one of the country's most prominent mansions ...more

Betsy Ross in Basking Ridge

Over the past two decades, more than half a dozen references to this story have been uncovered in our archives at the Brick Academy and in the files of the Bernards Township Library History Room. The first mention appeared in a clippings scrapbook compiled by retired physician, Dr. William Pennington, who lived around the turn of the 19th century and spent much of his life collecting newspaper articles....learn more

Colonial Christmas Celebration

In lieu of our rescheduling of THSSH Holiday house tour to 2010, the Vanderveer / Knox Colonial Christmas is a wonderful event to attend.

From December 2-6, 2009 the historic Vanderveer House opens its wreath-clad doors to an annual fundraising event, featuring the decorating talents of local designers, antiques dealers and florists. 

There are plenty of new and exciting events planned for this year's Colonial Christmas celebration. ...learn more

November 19 , 2009

Speaker Series :
Events: Speaker Series at THSSH

‘The Uncertain Revolution:
Washington and the Continental Army at Morristown'
Thursday, November 19, 2009

New Jersey's esteemed historian John T. Cunningham explores the harsh circumstances and geography of this region during the War of Independence. This "geological fortress", Washington and the Continental Army's winter quarters for four years, may well be the place where America survived.

John Cunningham was also the writer for the recently released film Morristown, Where Ameria Survived, a 30 minute documentary recently released by NJN network. Learn more.

John T. Cunningham has long been known as "New Jersey's popular historian," a title bestowed on him by the New Jersey Historical Commission. He has written over 50 books. Cunningham's first book, This is New Jersey, published in 1953 by Rutgers University Press, is still in print and has been revised six times. Other long-popular books are New Jersey: America's Main Road; The New Jersey Sampler; NEWARK; and The New Jersey Shore. Most recently, he wrote The Uncertain Revolution: Washington and the Continental Army at Morristown, which has earned highly favorable reviews for both its careful research and its pleasant readability.

Cunningham was a co-founder of the New Jersey Historical Commission and was its chair for six years. He also served as president of the New Jersey Historical Society for six years. Currently, he is a co-founder and vice president of the North Jersey American Revolution Round Table. His works have earned him nine honorary degrees and five Awards of Merit from the American Association for State and Local History.

He resides in Florham Park, New Jersey.

Programs are free • 7:30 pm at the Brick Academy
Refreshments • Family & Friends welcomed!

Directions to the Brick Academy - Click Here
Back to Events List - Click Here

Speaker Series :
Events: Speaker Series at THSSH

‘Ghosts of Central Jersey: Historic Haunts of the Somerset Hills’
- Thursday, October 15, 2009 ...read more

Saturday & Sunday, October 10-11, 2009 - 4 sites in the Somerset Hills...more
Great badge day for Girl & Boy Scout troops!

Volunteen for Local History -Area students get creative on learning and presenting local history.

In conjunction with Bernards Townships Building Youth program, the community benefits when our teens engage.

Learn how you can get involved - Click Here for details

The Living History 1770's festival
Sunday, October 4, 2009 - Click Here for details

Come visit the the Historical Society's booth and the historic Vanderveer House During Fallfest - This Saturday, Sept 19,2009 from 12-5. Free Hayrides to/from the house....more

Speaker Series :
Events: Speaker Series at THSSH

Early American Schoolhouse - Thursday, September 17, 2009 ...read more

The New Jersey State Review Board for Historic Sites approved the application to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places...more

RESCHEDULED TO 2010 -
The event has been rescheduled for December 2010.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS - Sunday, December 6, 2009 - Our 2009 bi-annual Somerset Hills Holiday House Tour - Learn more about our most grand event. Call to community volunteers!...more

Fall Speaker Series Announced:
Events: Speaker Series at THSSH

Early American Schoolhouse - Thursday, September 17, 2009 ...read more

‘Ghosts of Central Jersey: Historic Haunts of the Somerset Hills’ - Thursday, October 15, 2009 ...read more

‘The Uncertain Revolution:
Washington and the Continental Army at Morristown' Thursday, November 19, 2009 ...read more

Bernardsville looks to recognize Historic Olcott District...more

Shop the best online stores and donate to THSSH at the same time... more