Bernards Township, New Jersey
Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Bernards Township (Template:IPAc-en<ref>Melisurgo, Len. "Here's the right way to pronounce 25 N.J. town names everyone botches", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, June 23, 2017. Accessed June 22, 2023. "Bernards Township & Bernardsville (Somerset County) Outsiders frequently say ber-NARDS, with the emphasis on the last syllable. But the correct pronunciation is BERN-ards, with the emphasis on the first syllable."</ref>) is a township in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 27,830,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> an increase of 1,178 (+4.4%) from the 2010 census count of 26,652,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> reflecting an increase of 2,077 (+8.5%) from the 24,575 counted in the 2000 census.<ref>Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref>
Located on the eastern end of the Somerset Hills region,<ref>About Us, Historical Society of the Somerset Hills. Accessed June 23, 2023. "Founded in 1928 originally as the Historical Society of Basking Ridge, the mission and name of the society was later changed to The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization including all five communities of the Somerset Hills region: Bedminster Township, Bernards Township, Bernardsville, Far Hills, and Peapack-Gladstone, which are all located in Somerset County, New Jersey."</ref> the township is a bedroom suburb of New York City in the much larger New York metropolitan area, located within the Raritan Valley region.<ref>Capuzzo, Jill P., "Living in Basking Ridge, N.J.: A Polished Past and Polite People", The New York Times, Published April 2, 2013. Accessed July 24, 2023.</ref> The township is one of New Jersey's highest-income communities, with the 07920 zip code (Basking Ridge) having a median household income of $184,630,<ref>https://www.unitedstateszipcodes.org/rankings/zips-in-nj/median_household_income/</ref> almost double that of the state. The township and its neighbors in the surrounding Somerset Hills region (Far Hills, Peapack-Gladstone, Bernardsville, and Bedminster) are bastions of generational wealth in New Jersey, and are home to some of the state's most prominent families.<ref>https://www.mrlocalhistory.org/famous-people-from-the-somerset-hills-area/</ref>
History
[edit]Bernards Township was originally formed by royal charter on May 24, 1760, as Bernardston Township from remaining portions of Northern precinct.<ref name=Charter>Sadlouskos, Linda. "250th anniversary tea to celebrate Bernards history", Courier News, January 6, 2010. Accessed March 22, 2011. "The events commemorate the 250th anniversary of the granting of a charter from British King George II to create the township of Bernardston, Kennedy said."</ref> It was incorporated as Bernards Township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798, as one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships. Portions of the township were taken to form Warren Township (March 5, 1806), Far Hills (April 7, 1921) and Bernardsville (March 6, 1924).<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 221. Accessed May 8, 2012.</ref> The township celebrated its 250th charter anniversary in May 2010.<ref name=Charter/>
A set of referendums to create independent boroughs from portions of Bernards Township were held in June 1921, which would have left only Liberty Corner and Lyons remaining in Bernards Township if all three proposals had been approved; The referendum in Far Hills passed and the vote in Bernardsville failed in 1921, but ultimately passed in 1924.<ref>Thomson, W. Barry. "New Municipal Proposals of 100 Years Ago", Inside the Brick Academy, June 2021. Accessed July 18, 2023. "One hundred years ago, in 1921, efforts were made to break up Bernards Township to create three new boroughs: Far Hills, Bernardsville, and Basking Ridge. As originally proposed, only the areas around Liberty Corner and Lyons would have remained within Bernards Township. After bills authorizing these new boroughs passed the New Jersey Legislature, local referenda were held in June 1921 allowing residents in each of the affected areas to vote on the proposals. The vote to create the Borough of Far Hills passed, while votes to form the separate boroughs of Bernardsville and Basking Ridge were defeated."</ref> Voters rejected the creation of proposed borough of Basking Ridge by a more than 4–1 margin.<ref>"Ridge Defeats Borough Act", Bernardsville News, June 9, 1921. Accessed July 18, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "Basking Ridge by defeating the borough proposition today by a majority of 127 votes, chose to remain in the Township with Bernardsville and Liberty Corner. There were 161 ballots cast against the borough and 34 in favor."</ref>
The township was named for Sir Francis Bernard, 1st Baronet, who served as governor of the Province of New Jersey.<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 27, 2015.</ref><ref>Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living In: Basking Ridge, N.J.;A Rich Hamlet That Gobbled Up a Town", The New York Times, November 19, 1995. Accessed October 11, 2015. "The name Bernards Township was given to the area in 1760 by King George II to honor Sir Francis Bernard, Provincial Governor of New Jersey from 1758 to 1760."</ref>
Geography
[edit]According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 24.33 square miles (63.01 km2), including 24.20 square miles (62.68 km2) of land and 0.13 square miles (0.33 km2) of water (0.52%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />
The township is roughly bounded by the Second Watchung Mountain in the southwest, the Dead River swamp on the south, the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Passaic River, and Millington Gorge in the east.
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Basking Ridge, Franklin Corners, Green Knoll, Hardscrabble, Liberty Corner, Lyons, Madisonville, Mount Horeb, Somerset Mills, State Park, Stone House and White Bridge.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 22, 2015.</ref><ref>O'Brien, Walter. "A Guide To Bernards: Rich in history, Bernards takes pride in modern prosperity", Courier News, August 22, 2007. Accessed July 4, 2012. "Basking Ridge, Liberty Corner, Lyons and West Millington remain unincorporated areas inside Bernards."</ref> Martinsville is an unincorporated area in Bridgewater Township, whose 08836 ZIP Code also covers portions of Bernards Township.
The township borders Bedminster Township and Far Hills to the west, Bernardsville to the northwest, Bridgewater Township to the southwest, and Warren Township to the southeast in Somerset County and Harding Township to the northeast and Long Hill to the east in Morris County.<ref>Areas touching Bernards Township, MapIt. Accessed March 19, 2020.</ref><ref>Municipalities, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed March 19, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>
Demographics
[edit]2010 census
[edit]The 2010 United States census counted 26,652 people, 9,783 households, and 6,897 families in the township. The population density was 1,113.6 per square mile (430.0/km2). There were 10,103 housing units at an average density of 422.1 per square mile (163.0/km2). The racial makeup was 81.83% (21,809) White, 1.89% (504) Black or African American, 0.08% (20) Native American, 13.80% (3,679) Asian, 0.03% (7) Pacific Islander, 0.55% (147) from other races, and 1.82% (486) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.95% (1,054) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>
Of the 9,783 households, 40.0% had children under the age of 18; 61.7% were married couples living together; 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 29.5% were non-families. Of all households, 26.6% were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.27.<ref name=Census2010/>
28.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 20.6% from 25 to 44, 32.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 88.5 males.<ref name=Census2010/>
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $123,285 (with a margin of error of +/− $7,030) and the median family income was $153,906 (+/− $14,565). Males had a median income of $123,390 (+/− $9,621) versus $86,272 (+/− $9,195) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $67,809 (+/− $4,972). About 2.1% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Bernards township, Somerset County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 4, 2012.</ref>
2000 census
[edit]At the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 24,575 people, 9,242 households and 6,487 families residing in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 9,485 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the township was 89.20% White, 1.44% African American, 0.05% Native American, 7.85% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.63% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Bernards township, Somerset County, New JerseyTemplate:Dead link, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 10, 2013.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Bedminster township, Somerset County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 10, 2013.</ref>
There were 9,242 households, of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.0% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.17.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
Age distribution was 27.7% under the age of 18, 3.2% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
The median income for a household in the township was $107,204, and the median income for a family was $135,806. Males had a median income of $95,758 versus $60,865 for females. The per capita income for the township was $56,521. About 0.6% of families and 1.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
Economy
[edit]The headquarters of Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, Fedders, Hitachi Power Systems USA<ref>Hitachi Power Systems - Contact Us Template:Webarchive. Accessed January 1, 2010.</ref> and Verizon Wireless are located in the township. Verizon Communications, which maintains its world headquarters in New York City, has located operations of its major business units in buildings that were formerly AT&T's world headquarters.<ref>Verizon New Operations Center Basking Ridge Template:Webarchive, bestofnj.com</ref>
Government
[edit]Local government
[edit]Bernards Township operates under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.<ref>Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 77.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> At an annual reorganization meeting held during the first week of January, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.<ref name=TownshipCommittee/>
Template:As of, members of the Bernards Township Committee are Mayor Janice M. Fields (R, term on committee and as mayor ends December 31, 2025), Deputy Mayor Andrew J. McNally (R, term on commititee and as deputy mayor ends December 31, 2027), Gary S. Baumann (R, 2026), Ana Duarte McCarthy (D, 2026) and Jennifer L. Asay (R, 2027).<ref name=TownshipCommittee>Township Committee, Bernards Township. Accessed May 19, 2024. "Bernards Township operates under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government. The Township Committee is comprised of five members, elected by the public in partisan elections for three-year terms of office on a staggered schedule, with one or two seats coming up for election each year.... At the annual Reorganization meeting held in January, the Mayor is elected by the committee from among its members."</ref><ref>2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Bernards Township. Accessed May 19, 2024.</ref><ref name=SomersetDirectory>2023 Directory of County & Municipal Offices, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed September 18, 2023.</ref><ref name=Somerset2023>2023 General Election November 7, 2023 Certified Official Results RESULTS, Somerset County, New Jersey, November 29, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Somerset2022>General Election November 8, 2022 Final Results, Somerset County, New Jersey, updated November 23, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Somerset2021>2021 General Election Winning Candidates, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>
Federal, state and county representation
[edit]Bernards Township is located in the 7th Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 21st state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2023>Municipalities Sorted by 2023-2031 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed September 1, 2023.</ref>
Prior to the 2010 Census, Bernards Township had been part of the Template:Ushr, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.<ref name=LWV2011>2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government Template:Webarchive, p. 55, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed May 22, 2015.</ref>
Template:NJ Congress 07 Template:NJ Senate
Template:NJ Somerset County Commissioners
Politics
[edit]As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 18,377 registered voters in Bernards Township, of which 3,544 (19.3% vs. 26.0% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 7,019 (38.2% vs. 25.7%) were registered as Republicans and 7,803 (42.5% vs. 48.2%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 11 voters registered to as Libertarians or Greens.<ref name=VoterRegistration>Voter Registration Summary - Somerset, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed February 10, 2013.</ref> Among the township's 2010 Census population, 69.0% (vs. 60.4% in Somerset County) were registered to vote, including 96.9% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.4% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 10, 2013.</ref>
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 59.2% of the vote (7,879 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 40.1% (5,338 votes), and other candidates with 0.8% (101 votes), among the 13,383 ballots cast by the township's 19,555 registered voters (65 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 68.4%.<ref name=2012Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 8,078 votes here (56.1% vs. 46.1% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 6,143 votes (42.6% vs. 52.1%) and other candidates with 99 votes (0.7% vs. 1.1%), among the 14,405 ballots cast by the township's 18,039 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.9% (vs. 78.7% in Somerset County).<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Somerset County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed February 10, 2013.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 8,364 votes here (60.6% vs. 51.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 5,317 votes (38.5% vs. 47.2%) and other candidates with 84 votes (0.6% vs. 0.9%), among the 13,812 ballots cast by the township's 16,534 registered voters, for a turnout of 83.5% (vs. 81.7% in the whole county).<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Somerset County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed February 10, 2013.</ref>
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 77.1% of the vote (6,505 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 21.7% (1,829 votes), and other candidates with 1.2% (105 votes), among the 8,547 ballots cast by the township's 19,701 registered voters (108 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 43.4%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 6,124 votes here (59.5% vs. 55.8% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 2,639 votes (25.6% vs. 34.1%), Independent Chris Daggett with 1,427 votes (13.9% vs. 8.7%) and other candidates with 33 votes (0.3% vs. 0.7%), among the 10,293 ballots cast by the township's 18,244 registered voters, yielding a 56.4% turnout (vs. 52.5% in the county).<ref>2009 Governor: Somerset County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed February 10, 2013.</ref>
Education
[edit]Students in public school for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade are served by the Bernards Township School District.<ref>Bernards Township Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Bernards Township School District. Accessed February 6, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through twelve in the Bernards Township School District. Composition The Bernards Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Bernards Township."</ref> As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of six schools, had an enrollment of 4,874 students and 456.1 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.7:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Bernards Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Bernards Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>) are Cedar Hill Elementary School<ref>Cedar Hill Elementary School, Bernards Township School District. Accessed July 3, 2022.</ref> with 483 students in grades K-5, Liberty Corner Elementary School<ref>Liberty Corner Elementary School, Bernards Township School District. Accessed July 3, 2022.</ref> with 466 students in grades K-5, Mount Prospect Elementary School<ref>Mount Prospect Elementary School, Bernards Township School District. Accessed July 3, 2022.</ref> with 507 students in grades PreK-5, Oak Street Elementary School<ref>Oak Street Elementary School, Bernards Township School District. Accessed July 3, 2022.</ref> with 406 students in grades K-5, William Annin Middle School<ref>William Annin Middle School, Bernards Township School District. Accessed July 3, 2022.</ref> with 1,201 students in grades 6-8 and Ridge High School<ref>Ridge High School, Bernards Township School District. Accessed July 3, 2022.</ref> with 1,794 students in grades 9-12.<ref>Schools, Bernards Township School District. Accessed July 3, 2022.</ref><ref>2021-2022 Somerset County Public School Directory, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed July 1, 2022.</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Bernards Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 31, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Bernards Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref> The district offers its Integrated Preschool Program for children on the autism spectrum, utilizing the principles of applied behavior analysis.<ref>Preschool, Bernards Township School District. Accessed February 6, 2020.</ref>
During the 2009–10 school year, Ridge High School was awarded the National Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education, the highest award an American school can receive.<ref>2009 Blue Ribbon Schools: All Public and Private Schools, United States Department of Education. Accessed October 29, 2009.</ref> The school had also won the award for the 1986–1987 school year.<ref>Blue Ribbon Schools Program Schools Recognized 1982-1983 Through 1999-2002, United States Department of Education. Accessed May 31, 2013.</ref> Mount Prospect Elementary School was one of 11 in the state to be recognized in 2014 by the United States Department of Education's National Blue Ribbon Schools Program.<ref>Goldman, Jeff. "Which N.J. schools were named to national 'Blue Ribbon' list?", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, October 2, 2014. Accessed December 31, 2014. "Eleven New Jersey schools have been named to the annual National Blue Ribbon list, the U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday."</ref><ref>2014 National Blue Ribbon Schools All Public and Private, United States Department of Education. Accessed December 31, 2014.</ref> In 2015, Liberty Corner School was one of 15 schools in New Jersey, and one of nine public schools, recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School in the exemplary high performing category.<ref>2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools All Public and Private, National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Accessed November 14, 2016.</ref><ref>Mueller, Mark. "Which N.J. schools were named National Blue Ribbon schools?", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 29, 2015. Accessed November 14, 2016. "Fifteen New Jersey schools have been recognized by the federal government as National Blue Ribbon Schools, a designation that celebrates excellence in academics or progress in closing the achievement gap among groups of students.... Each of the 15 New Jersey schools was chosen for the 'exemplary high performing' category, which weighs state or national tests, high school graduation rates and the performance of subgroups of students, such as those who are economically disadvantaged."</ref>
Ridge High School was ranked 194th, the second-highest in New Jersey, in Newsweek magazine's 2010 rankings of America's Best High Schools.<ref>Staff. "America's Best High Schools: The List", Newsweek, June 13, 2010. Accessed March 23, 2011.</ref> The school was the 9th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 328 schools statewide, in New Jersey Monthly magazine's September 2010 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", after being ranked 12th in 2010 out of 322 schools.<ref>Staff. "The Top New Jersey High Schools: Alphabetical -2012", New Jersey Monthly, August 16, 2012. Accessed February 10, 2013.</ref> The Ridge High School was ranked 37th best in America in 2015 by Newsweek.
Pingry School, a private coeducational college preparatory day school, has its upper campus, for grades 6 to 12, located in Basking Ridge (prior to 2013 the campus was listed as being located in Martinsville).<ref>Quick Facts, Pingry School. Accessed August 26, 2013.</ref>
Saint James School is a parochial elementary school for students in preschool through eighth grade that operates under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen.<ref>About Us, Saint James School. Accessed September 24, 2024.</ref><ref>School Finder, Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen. Accessed September 24, 2024.</ref> In 2024, the school was one of 11 statewide that was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education.<ref>Current Awardees, United States Department of Education. Accessed September 24, 2024.</ref><ref>Kelley, Tina. "11 new National Blue Ribbon Schools named in N.J.", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 23, 2024. Accessed September 24, 2024. "Eleven public and private schools have been chosen as New Jersey’s newest National Blue Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Education announced Monday."</ref>
Transportation
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Roads and highways
[edit]Template:As of, the township had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Somerset County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.<ref>Somerset County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed November 13, 2013.</ref>
Major roads serving Bernards Township include Interstate 78,<ref>Interstate 78 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated March 2016. Accessed November 22, 2022.</ref> Interstate 287<ref>Interstate 287 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated May 2017. Accessed November 22, 2022.</ref> and U.S. Route 202.<ref>U.S. Route 202 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated May 2017. Accessed November 22, 2022.</ref>
Public transportation
[edit]NJ Transit train service is available at the Basking Ridge station<ref>Basking Ridge station, NJ Transit. Accessed November 13, 2013.</ref> and Lyons station<ref>Lyons station Template:Webarchive, NJ Transit. Accessed November 13, 2013.</ref> on the Gladstone Branch, providing service between Gladstone and Hoboken Terminal.<ref>Gladstone Branch Template:Webarchive, NJ Transit. Accessed November 13, 2013.</ref>
Lakeland Bus Lines provides Route 78 rush-hour service from Bedminster to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.<ref>Route 78 – Eastbound to New York, Lakeland Bus Lines. Accessed July 18, 2017.</ref>
Points of interest
[edit]- Alward Farmhouse
- Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church and Cemetery – listed on the National Register of Historic Places<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- The Brick Academy – A restoration of what was known as the Basking Ridge Classical School, a prep school for those hoping to attend Princeton University. The Brick Academy is the current home of the Historical Society of the Somerset Hills.<ref>The Brick Academy Template:Webarchive, The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills. Accessed September 5, 2015. "The Brick Academy is known also as the original Basking Ridge Classical School, the 1809 Federal-style Brick Academy located in the center of the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township."</ref>
- Town Hall and Astor Estate
- Franklin Corners Historic District – Includes Van Dorn's Mill and the Grain House Restaurant, listed on the NRHP<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Liberty Corner Village
- Lyons VA Medical Center – A Veterans Administration Hospital with Classical Revival style brick buildings, listed on the NRHP<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- The Devil's Tree – A solitary oak tree in a field off Mountain Road in the southern corner of the township that has been subject of several stories in Weird NJ magazine<ref>Renee, Robin. "Central Jersey", Courier News, October 31, 2004. Accessed July 4, 2012. "There are many tales of death around The Devil's Tree. Some say it is a portal to hell and a sentinel guards it. He will appear driving an old black pickup truck."</ref>
- Kennedy–Martin–Stelle Farmstead – Farmstead Arts Center, listed on the NRHP<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Boudinot–Southard Farmstead – Also known as the Ross Farm, listed on the NRHP<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Southard Park
- Mountain Park
- USGA Museum
-
Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church
Volunteer Effort - Terrebonne Parish
[edit]In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, which had a devastating effect on the Greater New Orleans area, the Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce, under the leadership of former Mayor Albert LiCata, organized and sent truckloads of supplies to assist residents of Houma, Louisiana. In 2007, the Parish returned the favor by sending the Terrebonne High School Marching band on a 26-hour bus ride to the Bernards Township Chamber's Holiday Parade to march at their event and perform a Christmas concert for the public at a local church.<ref>Pleasant, Matthew. "Terrebonne band returns from long-awaited field trip", Houma Today, December 29, 2007. Accessed August 26, 2013. "Driving into the frigid temperatures of New England a week before Christmas, more than a hundred students, parents and teachers from Terrebonne High School traveled to Bernards Township, N.J., to perform in the town's holiday parade. The journey was their way of showing thanks to Bernards Township for the support the town showed during Hurricane Katrina's aftermath, when their community and chamber of commerce trucked loads of supplies to Houma."</ref>
Justice Department lawsuit
[edit]On November 22, 2016, the United States Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Bernards Township, alleging "that the township violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) when it denied zoning approval to allow the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge to build a mosque on land it owns."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In January 2017 the township hired Trenton-based Burton Trent Public Affairs for up to $45,000 to help manage the negative publicity associated with the Justice Department's allegations.<ref>Hutchinson, Dave. "N.J. town hires PR firm to help image as mosque dispute looms", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, January 18,2017. Accessed September 18, 2024. "The township committee continues to dig in its heels in the ongoing lawsuits between both the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge and United States Department of Justice for its denial of a mosque. The committee recently approved paying up to $45,000 to Trenton-based Burton Trent Public Affairs to handle public relations in the long-running saga."</ref>
Notable people
[edit]Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Bernards Township include:
- William Alexander, Lord Stirling (1726–1783), Continental Army major general during the American Revolutionary War<ref>Historic Sites, Bernards Township. Accessed September 5, 2015.</ref>
- John Jacob Astor VI (1912–1992), socialite, shipping businessman and member of the Astor family.
- J. C. Chandor (born 1974), Academy Award-nominated writer/director of the 2011 film Margin Call<ref>Elstein, Aaron. "Capturing Wall Street on the silver screen; One reason Margin Call expertly captures how investment bankers and traders look, sound and see the world is that its writer and director, J.C. Chandor, is a son of Wall Street. He was also inspired by other movies about business.", Crain's New York Business, November 6, 2011. Accessed June 19, 2013. "As a youth growing up in Basking Ridge, N.J., Mr. Chandor hung out on the Merrill Lynch's trading floor in lower Manhattan while his father, an investment banker, worked the phones making deals."</ref>
- Chris Daggett (born 1950), President and CEO of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation who ran as an independent candidate in the 2009 New Jersey gubernatorial election<ref>Nutt, Amy Ellis. "Chris Daggett, ever the policy wonk, concentrates on the details", The Star-Ledger, October 11, 2009. Accessed November 13, 2013. "As an independent, Daggett straddles more than just political parties. He's a child of the free-thinking, authority-mocking 1960s — and a buttoned-down, plow-ahead grinder. The life-long Basking Ridge resident graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he says his college thesis was 'something out of the '60s, like the study of personhood.'"</ref>
- Marc Del Gaizo (born 1999), professional ice hockey defenseman for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League<ref>Marc Del Gaizo, UMass Minutemen ice hockey. Accessed November 16, 2023. "Born Marc Douglas Del Gaizo on October 11, 1999 in Basking Ridge, New Jersey."</ref>
- Scott Fischer (1955–1996), climber and guide who was the first American to climb Lhotse, the fourth-highest mountain in the world, who died during an attempt to climb Mount Everest in the 1996 Everest Disaster<ref>Powers, Phil. "Scott Style: Adventure Student Makes Good", The Leader of the National Outdoor Leadership School, Winter 1992, backed up by the Internet Archive as of April 6, 2003. Accessed September 3, 2019. "Fischer's mountaineering background began at the young age of 14 when he took a NOLS Adventure Course. His father was an outdoor enthusiast who called Scott in to watch a television program one night at their home in Basking Ridge, New Jersey."</ref>
- Patricia Lee Gauch (born 1934), author of over 30 works of children's literature; inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame in 1993<ref>Horner, Shirley. "About Books", The New York Times, October 3, 1993. Accessed July 4, 2012. "The other inductees are Patricia Lee Gauch of Basking Ridge, who has written more than 30 children's books"</ref>
- Jarryd Goldberg (born 1985), former professional soccer player who played for Miami FC<ref>Gates, Kellie Patrick. "Love: Melissa Gordon & Jarryd Goldberg", The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 19, 2014. Accessed September 3, 2019. "Jarryd had lived in Israel when he played professional soccer for Bnei Sakhnin. But the native of Basking Ridge, N.J., in Somerset County, then played for the Miami Football Club in Florida."</ref>
- Jeff Grace, comedian, screenwriter, film producer, film director and actor; directed Folk Hero & Funny Guy<ref>Grace, Jeff. "Tribeca Film Festival 2016 Diary: Director Jeff Grace of Folk Hero & Funny Guy", MovieMaker, April 22, 2016. Accessed May 19, 2016. "I grew up outside the city in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, so NYC was the stomping grounds of my teen years."</ref>
- Jon Gutwillig (born 1974), guitarist of the Disco Biscuits<ref>Spelling, Ian. "The Disco Biscuits will play the Nokia Theatre in Manhattan", The Record, December 23, 2009. Accessed September 5, 2015. "Gutwillig – who grew up in Morristown/Basking Ridge — and the boys are actually several bands."</ref>
- Tobin Heath (born 1988), soccer player and member of the United States women's national team who won a gold medal as youngest member of the US team in the 2008 Olympics<ref>Giase, Frank. "Basking Ridge native Tobin Heath selected No. 1 overall in WPS Draft", The Star-Ledger, January 15, 2010. Accessed September 5, 2015. "Basking Ridge native Tobin Heath was selected with the first pick in the Women's Professional Soccer Draft today at the Philadelphia Convention Center."</ref>
- Jared Isaacman (born 1983), entrepreneur, pilot, philanthropist and commercial astronaut<ref>"Billionaire journeys from Ridge High School to space", Bernardsville News, February 10, 2021. Accessed September 18, 2024. "When Jared Isaacman dropped out of Ridge High School more than 20 years ago to pursue a successful career in business, it seemed like the sky was the limit.... In the same interview, he also mentioned his former hometown of Bernards Township."</ref>
- Vincent R. Kramer (1918–2001), United States Marine Corps colonel who was a guerrilla warfare expert and was awarded the Navy Cross during the Korean War<ref>"Col. Vincent Kramer, decorated Marine veteran", New Jersey Hills, October 11, 2001. Accessed June 29, 2020. "Vincent R. Kramer, 83, of the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township, died on Monday, Sept. 17, 2001, at Morris Hills Multicare Center in Morristown."</ref>
- Peter Kuhn (1955–2009), race car driver who won both the USAC and SCCA Formula Super Vee championships in 1980<ref>Staff. "Peter H. Kuhn, accomplished race car driver", Hunterdon County Democrat, June 29, 2009. Accessed August 15, 2016. "Born in Summit, April 14, 1955, he was a son of Jean Henry and Elizabeth 'Lib' Dowd Kuhn. Mr. Kuhn had resided in Franklin Township since 1995, having formerly lived in Basking Ridge and Chatham Township."</ref>
- George Ludlow Lee Sr. (1901–1966), chairman of the board of Red Devil, Inc.
- Philip Lindsley (1786–1855), Presbyterian minister, educator, and classicist; acting president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), 1822–1824<ref>Harwell, Sara. Philip Lindsley", Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Accessed October 11, 2015. "Philip Lindsley, an educator, Presbyterian minister, and classical scholar, was born in Basking Ridge, New Jersey."</ref>
- Kelly-Anne Lyons (born 1985), actress, television presenter, writer and model, who starred in the BBC comedy Dick and Dom's Funny Business<ref>Kelly-Anne Lyons (Actress), Amazing Women Rock, backed up by the Internet Archive as of June 15, 2009. Accessed September 3, 2019. "Kelly-Anne Lyons (who plays the role of Chelsey Pucks in the online video series called Chelsey OMG, two excellent segments of which AWR features here), grew up along the East Coast of the USA. She spent the younger part of her childhood in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, her adolescence and teenage years in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, and attended University in New York City."</ref>
- Max Mahoney (born 1998, class of 2016), professional basketball player for VfL Kirchheim Knights of the ProA<ref>Staff. "Ridge H.S. Graduate Max Mahoney Signs Contract with German Pro Basketball Team", TAP into Basking Ridge, September 24, 2020. Accessed September 25, 2020. "Max Mahoney, a 2016 Ridge High School graduate who recently completed four years at Boston University, has signed a pro basketball contract to play for a German team. Mahoney, a 6-foot-8 forward, recently signed with the VFL Kirchheim Knights, a team that plays in the ProA, the second highest stage league in Germany."</ref>
- Page McConnell (born 1963), keyboardist best known for his work with the rock band Phish<ref>Page McConnell Template:Webarchive, Legacy Recordings. Accessed November 11, 2008.</ref><ref>Makin, Robert. "Music", Courier News, December 6, 2002. Accessed November 13, 2013. "Phish, whose guitarist, Trey Anastasio, was raised in Princeton, and whose keyboardist, Page McConnell, was raised in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards, took a two-year hiatus to pursue solo projects and downtime."</ref>
- Robert Mulcahy (1932–2022), athletic director at Rutgers University<ref>Caldwell, Dave. "In Person; Renaissance Man", The New York Times, December 4, 2005. Accessed January 24, 2008. "The taciturn Mulcahy, who graduated from Millburn High School and lives in Basking Ridge, did much of the groundwork that let Schiano, after a few tough seasons, become a success in his home state -- their home state."</ref>
- Akshay Nanavati (born 1984), United States Marine Corps veteran, speaker, entrepreneur, ultra runner and author of Fearvana<ref>Cerasaro, Ashley J. "Ice Road Trekker For this Basking Ridge resident, a 342-mile trek on skis across Greenland's enormous ice cap is just a walk in the park.", New Jersey Monthly, January 16, 2012. Accessed September 13, 2018. "'I want to experience a bit of everything because each experience presents its own challenges and forces you to face different fears,' says Nanavati, a native of India who moved to Basking Ridge with his wife, Shruthi, just over a year ago to be near her family."</ref>
- Jasbir Puar (born 1967), queer theorist, Professor of Women and Gender Studies at Rutgers University and author of The Right to Maim<ref>"Urban Skills Project Helps Ease Trauma Of The Past", Bernardsville News, August 29, 1985. Accessed April 21, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "Editor's Note: The three articles on this page were written by Jasbir K. Puar of Basking Ridge, a summer intern at The Bemardsville News..... She graduated from Ridge High School in June and will attend Rutgers University."</ref>
- Perry Scott (1917–1988), American football player and coach, who played in the NFL for the Detroit Lions<ref>"Lt. L. P. Scott is Honored Again; Basking Ridge Young Man Receives Third Oak Leaf Cluster To His Air Medal.", Bernardsville News, August 31, 1944. Accessed June 5, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "First Lt. Perry Scott, son of Leonard P. Scott, Basking Ridge, pilot of a B-24 Liberator, has been awarded a third Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.... He is a graduate of Bernards High School, Bernardsville, and of Muhlenherg College, Allentown, Pa."</ref>
- Helen J. Shen (born 1999/2000), actress and singer, known for her roles on and off-Broadway<ref>"Hometown Hero Helen J Shen of Basking Ridge leading Broadway Debut of Maybe Happy Ending", New York City, NY Patch, November 11, 2024. Accessed March 16, 2025. "Helen J Shen, a native of New Jersey, 2018 Ridge High School graduate, will lead the show opposite the Emmy and Golden Globe winner Darren Chriss.... Born and raised in Basking Ridge, Helen developed strong interest in music, art and theatric performance early on."</ref>
- J. Robert Sims (born Template:Circa), chemical / mechanical engineer and inventor, who served as president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers<ref>Alumnus to lead ASME in 2014, Vanderbilt University School of Engineering. Accessed September 3, 2019. "Mechanical engineering alumnus J. Robert Sims Jr. (BE’63) will serve as president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for 2014-2015. Bob Sims Sims, of Basking Ridge, N.J., is a senior engineering fellow with Becht Engineering Company Inc."</ref>
- Samuel Lewis Southard (1787–1842), U.S. Senator, Secretary of the Navy, and the 10th Governor of New Jersey<ref>Samuel Lewis Southard, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed July 29, 2007.</ref>
- Mike Tannenbaum (born 1969), former general manager of the New York Jets<ref>Sadlouskos, Linda. "Jets GM Invited to Ridge Football Homecoming: Tannenbaum, a new Bernards resident, could participate in opening coin toss ceremony.", BaskingRidgePatch, October 6, 2010. Accessed July 4, 2012. "The mayor said Tannenbaum, who recently relocated with his family to Bernards Township, could participate in the pre-game coin toss."</ref>
- LaDainian Tomlinson (born 1979), former NFL running back who played for the New York Jets<ref>Bishop, Greg. "Tomlinson Relishes New Home, and New Opportunity", The New York Times, June 8, 2010. Accessed September 5, 2015.</ref><ref>Mehta, Manish. "New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson reborn with birth of son Daylen Oliver", New York Daily News, August 8, 2010. Accessed September 5, 2015.</ref>
- Kelly Williford (born 1994), professional tennis player<ref>Kelly Williford, Virginia Tech Hokies women's tennis. Accessed September 3, 2019. "High School: Ridge; Hometown: Basking Ridge, N.J."</ref>
- Zip the Pinhead (Template:Circa–1926), turn-of-the-century sideshow performer who was born in Liberty Corner as William Henry Johnson<ref>Sceurman, Mark. "Zip, the What Is It?", Weird NJ. Accessed June 5, 2011.</ref>
References
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