Beckett Sutton

The Olcott Building, located in front of BHS, is now used for school offices

Bernardsville has just turned 100 as of April 24, 2024, and to celebrate, the borough organized several events to commemorate the history of the town. To begin the celebration, the Upton Pyne Carriage House, designed by Laurence Aspenwaul and constructed by Percy Pyne, hosted a gathering last year on November 3rd. There was food, drinks, and a live performance by America’s Sweethearts. On February 15th, Bernardsville’s own library put a plethora of historical artifacts on display. Following that, on the 23rd, a discussion about Bernardsville’s history with a side of coffee was held at the Coffee Shop Diner. An especially exciting night happened on May 18th: Bernardsville’s Night at the Park with the Somerset Patriots. The Bernards High School Madrigals kicked off the night with the National Anthem, with the borough’s council member Jeffery Roos throwing the first pitch. At the game, Mayor Mary Jane Canose delivered a speech to the crowd, celebrating Bernardsville’s century of prosperity and the community that worked for it. Concluding the eventful night was a grand and dazzling fireworks show over the ballpark. A massive celebration, one spanning the entire town, took place on September 14th. There was food, beer, live music, recreational activities, and good vibes. Closing off the festivities, the Bernards High School Band is hosting a concert in November. However, there are other surprises in store for Bernardsville in 2024.

“We’re working on a program to mark historical buildings in Bernardsville, and each of them will have a sign with a QR code. It’ll send you an audio so you can have a self guided tour.” Says Mayor Canose.

Bernardsville was settled in the early 18th century, with the first colonizers hailing from the British Isles and Germany. Originally, Bernardsville was named Vealtown. However, this changed in 1840, when Vealtown was renamed Bernardsville after Sir Francis Bernard, a British governor of New Jersey. Bernardsville was situated in the northwest of Bernards Township up until 1924 when it became its own borough. It was an agricultural settlement with the occasional slaughterhouse and mill, and crops such as apples and peaches were grown. During the Revolutionary War, American troops would often pass through the town while traveling from Jockey Hollow to Morristown. Many stopped at the Parker Tavern, which was built prior to the war and located on 2 Morristown Road. American generals such as Anthony Wayne were also usual patrons. Most notably, on December 13, 1776, the second-in-command of the American Continental Army, General Charles Lee, had a brief stay at the establishment, leaving his troops there to rest.

Bernardsville would remain a primarily agricultural town up until shortly after the Civil War concluded in 1865. In the 1870s, the town would see an explosion in both population and wealth, as the introduction of railroads to Bernardsville revolutionized how people lived and worked. Prominent and rich New Yorkers flocked to the small town, transforming once dilapidated farms into lavish homes. Some of these homes were and still are known as “The Mountain Colony.” The convenient commute from a peaceful town to the bustling city made Bernardsville an especially attractive place for people to move to. Many of these private residences were designed by none other than famous American architect, George B. Post, who is credited with assisting in the creation of the skyscraper and grand estates such as Stronghold, Kenilwood, and Claremont. 

At the dawn of the 20th Century, a New York banker named Frederic P. Olcott donated a 27-acre plot of land and funds required to start a school system in the town. The first of several school buildings to follow was the Olcott School which later grew into the present, Bernards High School. The arrival of the 1900s brought numerous attractions and innovations to Bernardsville like the Bernardsville Cinema 3, the Post Office, and the Fire Department. Later on, celebrities and entrepreneurs such as Mick Jagger, Mike Tyson, and Marc Ecko purchased homes in Bernardsville.

“I think one of the really positive aspects of the town is that we have the mountain, and we have downtown, and they’ve really worked together over the years.” Remarks Bernardsville’s former Mayor, Peter Palmer

“I would say that we have a strong sense of community. We’re small and close enough that people know each other, and whenever something happens in town, people are very supportive. . .and I think that we really feel that sense of a small town community.” Says Mayor Canose, when being asked about Bernardsville’s best characteristics.

Throughout Bernardsville’s extensive history, from its beginnings as a section of Bernards Township to the influx of wealth and population in the late 1800s, and to the modern day, where the borough’s community flourishes and thrives, the town has always been brimming with charm and congeniality. Happy 100th birthday, Bernardsville.