Bedminster, New Jersey

Bedminster 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 8,272,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> an increase of 107 (+1.3%) from the 2010 census count of 8,165,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected a decline of 137 (−1.7%) from the 8,302 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 within the Raritan Valley region, Bedminster is part of the Somerset Hills of northern Somerset County, bordering both Hunterdon and Morris counties.<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>

Bedminster was settled in 1710 by Dutch, Germans, and Scots-Irish immigrants. It was named after Bedminster, then in Somerset, England, and now a district of Bristol.<ref>Lurie, Maxine N.; and Mappen, Marc. "Bedminster", p. 66. Encyclopedia of New Jersey, Rutgers University Press, 2004. Template:ISBN. Accessed January 30, 2014.</ref><ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 27, 2015.</ref> Bedminster Township was created by Royal charter on April 4, 1749, from portions of the Northern precinct. It was incorporated formally by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township were taken on March 28, 1912, to form Peapack-Gladstone.<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>

It is known for having one of the most historic Revolutionary War sites in the United States at what is known as the Pluckemin Continental Artillery Cantonment Site, which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. General Henry Knox, chief of the Continental Army artillery, was the leader responsible for building what was the country's first military artillery training academy, the forerunner to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

In 2012, Forbes.com listed Bedminster as 486th in its listing of "America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes", with a median home price of $555,243.<ref>Brennan, Morgan. "America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes 2012", Forbes, October 16, 2012. Accessed February 18, 2020.</ref>

Geography and climate

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 26.38 square miles (68.31 km²), including 26.12 square miles (67.66 km²) of land and 0.25 square miles (0.66 km²) of water (0.96%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Burnt Mills, Greater Cross Roads, Lamington, Pluckemin, Pottersville (split between Bedminster and Tewksbury Township in Hunterdon County), Union Grove, and Vliettown.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 22, 2015.</ref>

The township borders Peapack-Gladstone and Far Hills to the northeast, Bernards Township to the east, and Branchburg and Bridgewater Township to the south in Somerset County, Readington Township to the southeast and Tewksbury Township to the west in Hunterdon County, and Chester Township to the north in Morris County.<ref>Areas touching Bedminster Township, MapIt. Accessed March 18, 2020.</ref><ref>Municipalities, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed March 18, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 8,165 people, 4,100 households, and 2,021 families in the township. The population density was 313.1 per square mile (120.9/km²). There were 4,349 housing units at an average density of 166.8 per square mile (64.4/km²). The racial makeup was 86.41% (7,055) White, 2.06% (168) Black or African American, 0.02% (2) Native American, 8.68% (709) Asian, 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander, 1.03% (84) from other races, and 1.79% (146) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.36% (519) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 4,100 households, 19.7% had children under the age of 18; 39.0% were married couples living together; 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 50.7% were non-families. Of all households, 44.4% were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.97 and the average family size was 2.76.<ref name=Census2010/>

17.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 33.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 80.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 79.5 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $93,103 (with a margin of error of +/− $11,367) and the median family income was $124,057 (+/− $14,892). Males had a median income of $76,047 (+/− $23,293) versus $61,650 (+/− $7,236) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $66,422 (+/− $8,900). About 0.9% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Bedminster township, Somerset County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 8, 2012.</ref>

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 8,302 people, 4,235 households, and 2,100 families residing in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 4,467 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the township was 90.05% White, 1.75% African American, 0.11% Native American, 6.41% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.83% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.84% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Bedminster township, Somerset County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 8, 2012.</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 July 24, 2012.</ref>

There were 4,235 households, out of which 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.4% were non-families. Of all households, 44.0% were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.96 and the average family size was 2.76.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the township the population was spread out, with 17.8% under the age of 18, 3.8% from 18 to 24, 40.3% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the township was $71,550, and the median income for a family was $96,890. Males had a median income of $71,136 versus $48,589 for females. The per capita income for the township was $53,549. About 1.9% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Economy

Bedminster was the corporate headquarters of AT&T Corporation prior to its merger with SBC Communications; the combined company is now known as AT&T Inc. and is headquartered in Dallas.<ref>Dalton, Richard J. Jr."SBC, spawn of AT&T, now in talks to buy it", Newsday, January 28, 2005. Accessed May 8, 2012. "AT&T's residential business, on the other hand, was once its core but has faced more competition amid lower profits as cellular service providers and cable companies edged their way into the phone business. So last year, AT&T, based in Bedminster, N.J., discontinued marketing residential long-distance service to new customers."</ref> AT&T's Global Network Operations Center, which monitors traffic worldwide on AT&T's network, is currently located in Bedminster.<ref>Staff. "AT&T Races to Expand the Network", The New York Times, September 3, 2009. Accessed May 8, 2012. "About an hour outside of New York City in Bedminster, N.J., AT&T's Global Network Operations Center monitors patterns of usage across AT&T's network of communications systems, including its wireless, IP and data networks."</ref> It was also the corporate headquarters for Verizon Wireless before relocation to nearby Basking Ridge in 2006.

Sports

Trump National Golf Course: owned by Donald Trump, the course features 36 holes designed by Tom Fazio, with fees to join of over $150,000.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Government

Local government

Bedminster Township is governed 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.<ref>Your Municipal Government Template:Webarchive, Bedminster Township. Accessed June 3, 2011.</ref>

Template:As of, members of the Bedminster Township Committee are Mayor Lawrence F. Jacobs (R, term on township committee and as mayor ends December 31, 2024), R. Colin Hickey (R, 2026), Gina Lisa-Fernandez (R, 2025), Renee Mareski (R, 2024) and Douglas A. Stevinson (R, 2025).<ref name=TownshipCommittee>Township Committee, Bedminster Township. Accessed May 19, 2024.</ref><ref>2024 Municipal User Friendly Budget, Bedminster Township. Accessed May 19, 2024.</ref><ref name=SomersetDirectory>2023 Directory of County & Municipal Offices, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed April 10, 2024.</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 Certified 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>

In 2018, the township had an average property tax bill of $6,182, the lowest in the county, compared to an average bill of $9,975 in Somerset County and $8,767 statewide.<ref>2018 Property Tax Information, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, updated January 16, 2019. Accessed November 7, 2019.</ref><ref>Marcus, Samantha. "These are the towns with the lowest property taxes in each of N.J.’s 21 counties", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, April 30, 2019. Accessed November 7, 2019. "New Jersey’s average property tax bill may have hit $8,767 last year — a new record — but taxpayers in some parts of the state pay just a fraction of that.... The average property tax bill in Bedminster Township was $6,182 in 2018, the lowest in Somerset County."</ref>

Emergency services

Emergency services in the township are offered by the Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Department, Bedminster Township Police Department<ref>Police, Bedminster Township. Accessed December 14, 2022.</ref> and Far Hills-Bedminster First Aid Squad.<ref>Home Page, Far Hills-Bedminster First Aid Squad. Accessed December 14, 2022.</ref>

Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Department roots back to the establishment of Union Hook & Ladder Company #1 in December 1900; The current name was adopted in 1998 to avoid confusion with other departments with similar names.<ref>About, Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Department. Accessed December 14, 2022. "The Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Department began in December, 1900 when a group of concerned men gathered to discuss the formation of a fire company to protect the fast-growing community of Far Hills and adjacent area.... In 1998, citing confusion of its name, decided to officially call itself The Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Department, changing from its original name of Union Hook & Ladder Company #1."</ref>

Federal, state and county representation

Bedminster 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 23rd state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2011>Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>

Politics

As of March 2011, there were a total of 6,183 registered voters in Bedminster Township, of which 1,258 (20.3% vs. 26.0% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 2,238 (36.2% vs. 25.7%) were registered as Republicans and 2,683 (43.4% vs. 48.2%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 4 voters registered 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, 75.7% (vs. 60.4% in Somerset County) were registered to vote, including 92.0% 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 55.4% of the vote (2,424 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 43.3% (1,895 votes), and other candidates with 1.2% (54 votes), among the 4,406 ballots cast by the township's 6,514 registered voters (33 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 67.6%.<ref name=2012Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 2,431 votes (51.7% vs. 46.1% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 2,203 votes (46.9% vs. 52.1%) and other candidates with 44 votes (0.9% vs. 1.1%), among the 4,702 ballots cast by the township's 6,102 registered voters, for a turnout of 77.1% (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 2,674 votes (59.0% vs. 51.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 1,798 votes (39.7% vs. 47.2%) and other candidates with 42 votes (0.9% vs. 0.9%), among the 4,529 ballots cast by the township's 5,736 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.0% (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 74.1% of the vote (2,013 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 24.2% (658 votes), and other candidates with 1.6% (44 votes), among the 2,752 ballots cast by the township's 6,580 registered voters (37 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 41.8%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,977 votes (61.2% vs. 55.8% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 928 votes (28.7% vs. 34.1%), Independent Chris Daggett with 280 votes (8.7% vs. 8.7%) and other candidates with 26 votes (0.8% vs. 0.7%), among the 3,228 ballots cast by the township's 6,266 registered voters, yielding a 51.5% 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>

Bedminster vote by party
in presidential elections<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Year	Democratic	Republican	Third Parties
align="center" Template:Party shading/Republican|2024	align="center" Template:Party shading/Democratic|48.6% 2,527	align="center" Template:Party shading/Republican|49.6% 2,575	align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|1.8% 94
align="center" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2020	align="center" Template:Party shading/Democratic|52.3% 2,797	align="center" Template:Party shading/Republican|45.7% 2,440	align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|1.5% 147
align="center" Template:Party shading/Republican|2016	align="center" Template:Party shading/Democratic|48.0% 2,250	align="center" Template:Party shading/Republican|48.2% 2,258	align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|3.8% 104
align="center" Template:Party shading/Republican|2012	align="center" Template:Party shading/Democratic|43.3%1,895	align="center" Template:Party shading/Republican|55.4% 2,424	align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|1.2% 54
align="center" Template:Party shading/Republican|2008	align="center" Template:Party shading/Democratic|46.9% 2,203	align="center" Template:Party shading/Republican|51.7% 2,431	align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.9% 44
align="center" Template:Party shading/Republican|2004	align="center" Template:Party shading/Democratic|39.7% 1,798	align="center" Template:Party shading/Republican|59.0% 2,674	align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.9% 42

Education

The Bedminster Township School District serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Bedminster Township Public School.<ref>Bedminster Township Board of Education District Policy - Identification, Bedminster Township School District. Accessed December 14, 2022. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Kindergarten through eight in the Bedminster Township School District. Composition: The Bedminster Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Bedminster Township."</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Bedminster Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 31, 2024.</ref><ref>Public Schools 2021-2022 Directory, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed December 14, 2022.</ref> As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 486 students and 54.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 8.9:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Bedminster Township Public School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref> Public school students in ninth through twelfth grades attend Bernards High School,<ref>Bedminster Township School 2016 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed May 19, 2017. "After graduation from the 8th grade, the majority of our students attend Bernards High School."</ref> as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Somerset Hills Regional School District, a K–12 district that also serves students from Bernardsville, Far Hills and Peapack-Gladstone.<ref>Somerset County School Districts-Sending/Receiving/Regional, Somerset County Superintendent of Schools. Accessed May 19, 2017.</ref> As of the 2020–21 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 819 students and 66.3 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.4:1.<ref>School data for Bernards High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>

Somerset Hills Learning Institute, founded in 1998, educates children on the autism spectrum by utilizing the principles of applied behavior analysis.<ref>History, Somerset Hills Learning Institute. Accessed October 29, 2017.</ref> In 2024, a local ShopRite store started selling salads grown by and packed by students in the school's hydroponics career training program on a farm in the township owned by the school.<ref>Redmond, Kimberly. "Chester ShopRite is 1st retail location to carry Somerset Hills students’ salad", NJBiz, January 23, 2024. Accessed February 8, 2024. "ShopRite of Chester is now selling a new salad blend grown by students with autism who are part of Somerset Hills Learning Institute’s hydroponics career training program."</ref>

Transportation

File:2021-06-23 14 00 18 View east along Interstate 78 (Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway) from the overpass for Bunn Road in Bedminster Township, Somerset County, New Jersey.jpg

Interstate 78 eastbound in Bedminster

Roads and highways

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>

Bedminster is traversed by Interstate 287, which runs through the eastern section, while Interstate 78 runs mostly through the center of the township. U.S. Route 202 and U.S. Route 206 also pass through running parallel to I-287 from the Bridgewater area to Pluckemin.

Major county roads that pass through include CR 512 and CR 523.

Public transportation

The closest NJ Transit service offered is at the Far Hills station on the Morris & Essex Lines.<ref>Somerset County Bus / Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of January 28, 2010. Accessed February 8, 2013.</ref>

Somserset County operates bus service along Route 206, connecting to nearby areas including Bridgewater, Somerville, Raritan, and Hillsborough.<ref>Transportation Services, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed 3-12-2017.</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 17, 2017.</ref>

Somerset Airport is a public-use airport located in the southern portion of Bedminster Township. The nearest airport with scheduled passenger service is Newark Liberty International Airport.

"The Summer White House"

Lamington Farm was purchased by Morgan Cowperthwaite, a New York insurance brokerage executive, in 1917.<ref name=Holson>Laura M. Holson, At the 'Summer White House,' You Are Never Far From a Trump Photo, New York Times (June 3, 2017).</ref> The Georgian Revival manor house was built in 1939.<ref name=Holson/> Cowperthwaite's heirs sold the property in 1981 to John Z. DeLorean and his wife Cristina Ferrare for $3.5 million.<ref name=Holson/> In 2000, National Fairways, a Connecticut-based golf course developer purchased the property at a bankruptcy auction for $15.25 million.<ref name=Holson/><ref name=NJHillsMedia>Template:Cite web</ref> National Fairways planned to develop the tract to include a golf club, but the plans did not come to fruition.<ref name=Holson/> In 2002, real estate businessman Donald Trump bought the Lamington Farm estate for an estimated $35 million.<ref name=Holson/>

In fall 2002, The Trump Organization broke ground on the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on the property, into which Trump reportedly invested $45 million.<ref name=Holson/> The manor house became the golf clubhouse.<ref name=Holson/> The 535-acre tract has two 18-hole courses: the older is designed by Tom Fazio, the newer by his nephew Tommy Fazio.<ref name=Holson/> While president of the United States, Trump spent significant time on the property, which has been called "the summer White House" and "White House North" by Trump administration officials, though this is not an official government designation.<ref name=Holson/> Through the end of December 2019, Trump spent nearly a third of his time as president visiting Trump-branded properties; much of this time was spent at the Bedminster club, where he frequently golfs, and at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida (the "winter White House").<ref>Phillip Bump, Nearly a third of the days he’s been president, Trump has visited a Trump-branded property, Washington Post (December 30, 2019).</ref>

In 2007, Trump announced plans to build a mausoleum for himself on the property, including a huge obelisk in the middle of the golf course.<ref name=Fahrenthold>Template:Cite web</ref> After encountering opposition from local residents over the out-of-scale nature of the proposal, Trump floated the idea of developing a "mausoleum/chapel" on the property, but did not pursue it.<ref name=Fahrenthold/> In 2014, The Trump Organization filed planning applications seeking authorization to construct a graveyard on the property, including 10 plots overlooking the first hole as a burial place for Trump himself (the filings with the state said that Trump "specifically chose this property for his final resting place as it is his favorite property") and 284 lots for sale to the public adjacent to the course.<ref name=Fahrenthold/> The state and township granted a cemetery license for the small plot; the 284-grave cemetery proposal received local approval, but not yet state approval.<ref name=Fahrenthold/> Trump later indicated he might prefer to be buried in Florida instead.<ref name=Fahrenthold/>

Points of interest

• Natirar: An estate spanning Peapack-Gladstone, Far Hills, and Bedminster that was sold by Hassan II of Morocco to Somerset County and is now administered by the Somerset County Park Commission, with Template:Convert of the estate's Template:Convert located in the township.<ref>Natirar, Somerset County, New Jersey Park Commission. Accessed May 8, 2012. "Natirar is a 404-acre property located in the scenic hills of Somerset County within the municipalities of Peapack/Gladstone, Far Hills, and Bedminster."</ref>
• Historic Vanderveer-Knox House & Museum: A refurbished home used by General Henry Knox during the Revolutionary War with its earliest portions dating to the 1770s, the house was purchased by the township in 1989, and listed on the New Jersey and National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
• Pluckemin Continental Artillery Cantonment Site, also known as the Continental Artillery Military Cantonment Historic Site or Pluckemin Artillery Park: Where General Henry Knox created America's first artillery training academy during the winter of 1778–1779, known as the "precursor to the United States Military Academy" at West Point.
• Trump National Golf Club Bedminster: Host of the 2017 U.S. Women's Open.

Notable people

Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Bedminster Township include:

• Kristin Kuhns Alexandre (1948–2021), writer, journalist, author, screenwriter and producer<ref>"Kristin Colgan Kuhns Alexandre, 73, Bedminster resident, noted author and screenwriter", Bernardsville News, September 16, 2021. Accessed March 27, 2024. "Kristin Colgan Kuhns Alexandre, 73, of Bedminster, died peacefully on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, surrounded by her family."</ref>
• John W. Beard (born 1951), politician who represented the 16th District in the Iowa General Assembly<ref>John W. Beard, Iowa Legislature. Accessed October 6, 2018. "Born in 1951 in Decorah and raised in Bedminster, New Jersey."</ref>
• P. J. Chesson (born 1978), race car driver who competed in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series<ref>"Bedminster native Chesson to race in Indy 500 this Sunday", New Jersey Hills, May 24, 2006. Accessed March 28, 2022. "Bedminster Twp. – Growing up on a horse farm off Larger Cross Road, P.J. Chesson always had plenty of room to tear around on go-karts and motorbikes with his two younger brothers."</ref>
• Edward E. David Jr. (1925–2017), electrical engineer who served as science advisor to President Richard M. Nixon and as Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology<ref>Roberts, Sam. "Edward E. David Jr., Who Elevated Science Under Nixon, Dies at 92", The New York Times, February 28, 2017. Accessed October 7, 2018. "Edward E. David Jr., a researcher who sought to make science more relevant and accessible to presidents and to the public, died on Feb. 13 at his home in Bedminster, N.J. He was 92."</ref>
• John DeLorean (1925–2005), founder of the DeLorean Motor Company<ref>Staff. "Festival celebrates the De Lorean", BBC News, May 24, 2001. Accessed May 8, 2012. "DeLorean was instructed to sell off the 434-acre estate in Bedminster for $15m to a golf course developer."</ref>
• John H. Ewing (1918–2012), member of the New Jersey General Assembly and the New Jersey Senate<ref>King, Wayne. "Bill to Cut Florio's Aid To Schools Is Gaining", The New York Times, January 18, 1991. Accessed May 8, 2012. "Senator John H. Ewing of Bedminster, a Republican member of the Senate Education Committee, was more pointed, attributing rising costs in some districts to 'waste and thievery.'"</ref>
• Steve Forbes (born 1947), editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine and president and chief executive officer of its publisher, Forbes Inc., and 1996 Presidential candidate<ref>Hilzenrath, David S. "No Blank Checks for Forbes", The Washington Post, August 17, 1999. Accessed October 7, 2018. "To match Bush's record $37 million haul, Forbes could have no choice but to sell part of the family business, liquidate real estate in his home town of Bedminster, N.J., or go heavily into debt."</ref>
• John Honeyman (1729–1822), alleged "spy of Washington" during the American Revolutionary War, who lived the last 30 years of his life in the Lamington area and is buried in the Lamington Presbyterian Church Cemetery<ref>Sadlouskos, Linda. "Trump leads tribute to military, unfurls huge flag at golf course in Bedminster", Home News Tribune, September 21, 2008. Accessed May 8, 2012. "John Honeyman, a township resident who was a spy for Gen. George Washington, is buried 'around the corner' at the Lamington Church, the mayor said."</ref>
• Woody Johnson (born 1947), owner of the New York Jets and great-grandson of the founder of the Johnson & Johnson Corporation<ref>Sandomir, Richard. "The Jets Fill One Opening: New Owner at $635 Million", The New York Times, January 12, 2000. Accessed September 30, 2007. "Johnson, who is 52 years old, has homes in Manhattan and Bedminster, N.J."</ref>
• Thomas Kean (born 1935), former Governor of New Jersey and Chairman of the 9/11 Commission<ref>"Weddings; Rhonda Norton, Thomas Kean Jr.", The New York Times, November 13, 1994. Accessed May 8, 2012. "Rhonda Lee Norton, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Norton of Brecksville, Ohio, was married yesterday to Thomas H. Kean Jr., a son of former Governor Thomas H. Kean of New Jersey and Mrs. Kean, of Bedminster, N.J."</ref><ref>Friedman, Matt. "At 80, former N.J. Gov. Tom Kean is still a force to reckon with", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, April 19, 2015. Accessed October 6, 2018. "Asked why he's still popular, Kean — who lives in Bedminster with his wife, Deborah — said it could be that he appointed competent people in the administration, had a good economy through most of his eight years in office and left with accomplishments."</ref>
• James Linn (1749–1821), represented Template:Ushr in the United States House of Representatives from 1799 to 1801<ref>James Linn, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed December 3, 2007.</ref>
• Jacqueline Mars (born 1939), heiress and investor who is one of the major shareholders of Mars, Incorporated<ref>Gleick, Elizabeth. "Crisis in Candy Land", People (magazine), February 21, 1994. Accessed October 7, 2018. "Harold Vogel settles into a soft armchair in the den of an early 19th-century farmhouse in Bedminster, N.J.... Vogel’s status as lord of the manor is indeed hanging by a golden thread, and he may soon have to vacate these sybaritic surroundings. The estate belongs to his soon-to-be ex-wife Jacqueline Mars, 54, who as an heir to the Mars Inc. candy fortune is one of the world’s richest women—as well as one of its least known."</ref>
• Jane McCrea (Template:Circa–1777), colonist killed by a Huron-Wendat warrior associated with the British army, whose slaying led to outrage and an increase in Patriot military support<ref>Lamphier, Peg A.; and Welch, Rosanne. Women in American History: A Social, Political, and Cultural Encyclopedia and Document Collection, p. 274. ABC-CLIO, 2017. Template:ISBN. Accessed October 6, 2018. "Jane McCrea was born in Bedminster (now Lamington), New Jersey, in 1752 to James McCrea and Mary Graham McCrea, both immigrants from Scotland."</ref>
• Sassona Norton (born 1942), painter and sculptor<ref>"Morris Museum Presents Sassona Norton ~ Sculptures" Template:Webarchive, Art Knowledge News. Accessed May 1, 2017. "The Morris Museum is delighted to present the splendid sculpture of Sassona Norton in its 4,500-square-foot Main Gallery on exhibit until November 12, 2006. Norton, a Bedminster, New Jersey resident, creates larger than life bold and expressive, cast bronze female figures."</ref>
• John S. Penn (1926–2013), politician who represented the 16th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1984 to 1994<ref>"Obituary: John Stanton Penn", Courier News, November 3, 2013. Accessed December 13, 2022. "John 'Jack' Stanton Penn, of Bedminster, NJ passed away on Friday, November 1, 2013 in Lyons Veterans Hospital, Basking Ridge, NJ."</ref>
• Zebulon Pike (1779–1813), American brigadier general and explorer for whom Pikes Peak in Colorado is named<ref>Pike, Zebulon (1779-1813), Encyclopedia of the Great Plains. Accessed August 6, 2014. "Son of an army officer, he was born at Lamberton (today Lamington), New Jersey, on January 5, 1779."</ref>
• Mark Sanchez (born 1986), NFL quarterback who played for the New York Jets<ref>Calder, Rich. "It's showtime for B'way Mark Sanchez", New York Post, January 21, 2010. Accessed May 4, 2022. "Lives with his brother Brandon in Bedminster, NJ"</ref>
• Erich Schwer (born 1993), winner of the 19th season of The Bachelorette<ref>"Bedminster man stars in TVs The Bachelorette", Bernardsville News, September 20, 2022. Accessed February 26, 2023. "Bedminster Twp. – A marriage proposal potentially loomed this week for a former township man who was cast in ABC’s long-running reality television show, The Bachelorette. The man, 29-year-old Erich Schwer, emerged as the last remaining suitor for one of two female leads in this season’s series."</ref>
• Drew Sheneman (born Template:Circa), editorial cartoonist whose work has appeared in The Star-Ledger since 1998<ref>Sheneman's Sketchpad: About the Author Template:Webarchive, The Star-Ledger. Accessed November 13, 2013. "He currently resides in Bedminster with his wife and daughter."</ref>
• Donald Trump (born 1946), the 45th President of the United States<ref>Johnson, Brent. "What Trump did on Day 2 in Bedminster (hint: he golfed)", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 7, 2017. Accessed May 8, 2017.</ref>
• John Van Dyke (1807–1878), represented Template:Ushr in the United States House of Representatives from 1847 to 1851<ref>John Van Dyke, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed September 1, 2007.</ref>
• Reuben Whallon (1776–1843), politician who represented New York's 13th congressional district from 1833 to 1835<ref>Whallon, Reuben, (1776 - 1843), Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed October 6, 2018. "Whallon, Reuben, a Representative from New York; born in Bedminster, Somerset County, N.J., December 7, 1776"</ref>
• Harrison A. Williams (1919–2001), United States Senator involved in the Abscam scandal<ref>Martin, Douglas. "Ex-Senator Harrison A. Williams Jr., 81, Dies; Went to Prison Over Abscam Scandal", The New York Times, November 20, 2001. Accessed May 8, 2012. "Harrison A. Williams Jr., the Democratic senator from New Jersey who used his considerable power to further the interests of labor and education before being convicted of bribery and conspiracy in the Abscam scandal, died on Saturday. He was 81 and lived in Bedminster."</ref>
• Danika Yarosh (born 1998), actress who has appeared in the Showtime series Shameless and in the NBC series Heroes Reborn<ref>Rose, Erin. "Young Bedminster child star on the rise", The Bernardsville News, July 24, 2009. Accessed October 7, 2018. "But Danika Yarosh of Bedminster Township is a believer of the old saying. When the students of Bedminster school graduate from middle school, they go to Bernardsville high school, because Bedminster is so small"</ref>

External links

• Bedminster Township website