'My Somerset County' Scrapbook/Digital History Project

‘My Somerset County’ Scrapbook & Digital History Project Celebrate County’s 325th Anniversary

 BRIDGEWATER - Somerset County officials today (May 22) unveiled a special online historical project as part of the county’s 325th anniversary celebration. The date for the unveiling was chosen to commemorate Somerset County’s founding on May 22, 1688.

The Board of Freeholders and the Somerset County Library System are collaborating to offer a “My Somerset County” online scrapbook that will help populate a digital history project planned by the library system.

“We invite residents and nonresidents to share memorable experiences of Somerset County landmarks, historic sites, recreation facilities, festivals and more via photographs and comments,” said Freeholder Director Peter S. Palmer.  “These cultural artifacts will provide a glimpse into the past and in some cases will provide personal recollections about historic sites or events.

“This scrapbook will be an enduring endeavor that will act as an ‘insider’s look’ into our county’s many treasures,” he said. “We hope that it will span many decades to come and will add to our understanding of our heritage and identity.”

“The Somerset County Library System has created a place on the Web where anyone can share images of people and places that have made this county so rich in history, and the wonderful place it is today,” said Somerset County Library System Director Brian Auger.

“In its early stages, the website will be a fairly simple scrapbook.  As it develops, the Library will provide more features.  The Library is planning to enhance the site with oral histories, stories and recollections by and about people - present and past - whose contributions have made the county what it is.

“The public is invited to visit www.mysomersetcounty.org often to learn about the many treasures of Somerset County as they are posted to the online scrapbook and digital histories.  The library envisions this resource to be a rich repository of images and stories about New Jersey’s best place to live,” he said.  

To be a part of the “My Somerset County” scrapbook /digital history project, you can submit a photo and comment directly by going to http://www.mysomersetcounty.org, selecting “Submit Photos” and completing the form. Comments should be 500 words or less and should relate to the photo submitted.  Or you can mail your photos to My Somerset County, Attn: Richard Loomis, Somerset County/ Bridgewater Library, 1 Vogt Drive, P.O. Box 6700, Bridgewater, N.J. 08807, drop them off at any of the county’s 10 libraries or make an appointment to have the photos scanned in person at the library.  Photos will be returned via U.S. mail. It is preferred that mailed comments be written in print, rather than cursive, for easy reading.

For more information about the “My Somerset County” scrapbook / digital history project, contact Richard Loomis at rloomis@sclibnj.org or 908-526-4016 ext. 171.

In addition to this project, as part of the county’s 325th anniversary celebration, the Freeholders and county Cultural & Heritage Commission are hosting a special art gallery collection at the county administration building through May 24 and a concert is planned on the courthouse green, featuring the Whitehouse Wind Symphony, on June 2 at 2 p.m. Also, the freeholders unveiled a collage featuring historic photos from the 21 municipalities in the lobby of the Bridgewater Library.

The Somerset County Park Commission has dedicated several events to the anniversary celebration, including National Trails Day on June 1, Independence Day Family Festival on July 4 and the 1770 Festival on Oct. 6.  Visit www.somersetcountyparks.org for more information about these events.