1717 - The original Bernards Township (Bernardston) area (3,000 acres) was purchased by John Harrison, agent of King James III of England, from the Lenape Indians in 1717 for only $50. That's only 1.6 cents per acre!
1840 - Did you know that Bernardsville was called Vealtown until 1840? There is still discrepancy as to whether the name is of family origin, or because of a cattle slaughterhouse in the township.
The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills is pleased to announce its 2010 Historic Preservation Award. In special recognition of the 250th anniversary of Bernards Township, a single project that represents three centuries of Township history has been selected for honor. The Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead has been chosen as an outstanding example of achievement in historic preservation. ....learn more
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
May 12 , 2010
History Quilt - Patchwork Tells History
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.
BERNARDS TWP CHARTER DAY
Learn about the grand history and celebrate the 250th Anniversary -
Click the image to enlarge!
March 12 , 2010
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.
See what's behind the history of your street name...more
March 12 , 2010
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
March 12 , 2010
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
March 12 , 2010
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.
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
February 13 , 2009
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
December 2-6 , 2009
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!
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
October 4 , 2009
The Living History 1770's festival
Sunday, October 4, 2009 - Click Here for details
September 19, 2009
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
September 17, 2009
Speaker Series :
Events: Speaker Series at THSSH
Early American Schoolhouse - Thursday, September 17, 2009 ...read more
September 2009
Bernardsville Olcott Avenue Distric
approved as a NJ State Historic District
The New Jersey State Review Board for Historic Sites approved the application to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places...more
September 2009
Historic Barn Finds a New Home -
Locals work together to save structure by relocating and restoring a classic barn. ...more
September 2009
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
September 2009
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
August 25, 2009
Celebrating the Brick Academy Bicentennial, new exhibits on display now at the Brick Academy...more
August 24, 2009
Somerset County sponsors Journey Through the Past - Five Somerset Hills historic sites to take part....more
May 17, 2009
The 2009 BASKING RIDGE CHARTER DAY STREETFAIR & FESTIVAL was held Sat. May 16, 2009 ...more
April 5, 2009
Over forty participants took part in the inaugural statewide New Jersey Historic Schoolhouse Summit and Symposium where historic one-room schoolhouse operators and curators from across New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania gathered Saturday, April 4, 2009 for the first ever symposium event in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Twp, New Jersey...more
March 21, 2009
New Member Benefit:
Now available to all THSSH members and families ...more
March 2009
The 2009 BASKING RIDGE CHARTER DAY STREETFAIR & FESTIVAL ...more
March 12, 2009
The Brick Academy will host the inaugural New Jersey Historic Schoolhouse Summit & Symposium in Basking Ridge ...more
February 6 , 2009
Digital Update - A new online virtual tour of the historic village of Basking Ridge ...more
December 17 , 2008
Digital Update - 1872 Schoolhouse rules and Punishments document reproductions now available for download ...more
December 17 , 2008
Digital Update - Historical Society Newsletters from 1957-1976 now available for download ...more
December 1 , 2008
Spotlight Historic Profile: The Boudinot - Southard House in Basking Ridge - A gem in the Somerset Hills...more
November 27, 2008
Lorraine Passmore , Member and former Secretary of of The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills Receives Outstanding Volunteer Award" ...more
November 27, 2008
John Campbell , President of KMS Farmstead and Historical Society Trustee Receives Outstanding Volunteer Award" ...more
November 20, 2008
Event: November 20, 2008 - Speaker Series at THSSH - Matthew Dodd "Songs & Stories of Old Railroad Days" ...more
November 10, 2008
Brick Academy Opens Restored Top Floor One Room Schoolhouse ...more
November 10, 2008
Open House Celebration - Sunday, November 9, 2008 (2pm)- All Welcome to view the completed top floor of the Brick Academy Schoolhouse. Refreshments served. Come meet the people that made it happen. ALL WELCOME! ...more
October 16, 2008
Event: Speaker Series at THSSH -Frank Greenagel "Historical Churches of Somerset County" Thursday October 16th ...more
October 11,12 2008
Five Somerset Hills attractions take part in historic tour of Somerset County on October 11-12, 2008...more
September 23, 2008
Spotlight Profile: The Historic USGA Museum - A gem in the Somerset Hills...more
September 23, 2008
Happy Birthday to the Historical Society of the Somerset Hills as it turns 80 years old on September 23, 2008...more
August 29, 2008
Bernardsville looks to recognize Historic Olcott District...more
June 2008
Old Taxbook found highlights rich/famous and livestock records back to 1892...more
June 2008
Spotlight Profile: Area Attraction - The History of The Bernards Inn, a celebrated historic landmark still entertaining guests for over 100 years...more
June 15, 2008
Shop the best online stores and donate to THSSH at the same time... more
June 2008
Spotlight Profile: Blairsden Update - Learn about the illustrious past and the current state of one of the country's most prominent mansions ever built ...more