Copies of the official charter of Bernards Township, handed out Saturday in the Brick Academy, include the charge, "to be and remain a perpetual township and community in word and in deed." Just shy of two and a half centuries in, the township remains, and the community gathered once again to celebrate the place they call home.
The streets of downtown Basking Ridge were lined all day to celebrate 250 years of Bernards and the 16th annual Charter Day. The township was officially chartered under the name "Bernardston" on May 24, 1760, by order of the British Empire to Sir Francis Bernard.
Township Committee member Mary Pavlini said at the opening ceremony that today was the perfect day to celebrate 250 years of Bernards. "It's the Charter Day Committee's sincere hope that as you walk the streets of downtown Basking Ridge, you will experience the profound sense of community that we all enjoy every day," she said. "Whether you are learning about local organizations, or enoying the entertainment, rides, music or stage performances, the delicious food, walking along the historical cemetery tour, pouring over the artwork and quilt designs to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Bernards, enjoy the community that we have built and that Bernards has become – the community that we are fortunate enough to live in every day."
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Editor's Note: This is the second photo gallery of two for Bernards Charter Day. To see the first click here. Basking Ridge Patch is proud to be a part of the Bernards community. One our favorite features of this site is the interactivity it allows between the publisher and the reader. Please feel free to take advantage of the comments section below to share your Charter Day stories or memories in Bernards, and please, upload whatever photos you have from Charter Day to our photo gallery attached to this article. Happy birthday Bernards Township!
