Support Our Mission

Donations

Since its beginning, the Society’s mission to Study the Past, Record the Present, and Connect the Future has relied upon the financial generosity of our members and the community. Individuals who are passionate about public history education continue to help our organization by supporting our exhibitions and programs. Individuals who have special interest in historic preservation ensure the conservation of our collections and the maintenance of the Brick Academy.

We are deeply greateful for the generosity of donors who contribute to The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills (THSSH) and we appreciate any amount you would like to donate to help our all-volunteer organization share its mission.

Your gift is tax-deductible. The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills (THSSH) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Please feel welcome to make a tax-deductible gift any time throughout the year.

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Bequests

Did you know that by way of a bequest, or as part of a required minimum distribution from a retirement account such as an IRA, contributions to a charitable organization are fully exempt from the otherwise-applicable income tax on the amount distributed.

The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills Federal ID # is 237-121-249/000

The THSSH Gift Program matches your donation to some of the historical figures from the Brick Academy (Basking Ridge Classical School).

Your generosity will be acknowledged in our Inside the Brick Academy newsletter.

William Dayton – Below $100

Robert Stockton – Below $200

Samuel Southard – Below $300

Theodore Frelinghuysen – Below $400

Reverend Robert Finley – Below $500

Reverend Samuel Kennedy – $500 or More

Highlights Of The Remarkable Lives Of Brick Academy Historical Figures:

William Dayton – BRCS graduate who became U.S. Senator from New Jersey (1842-1851); U.S. Ambassador to France during the American Civil War (1861-1864); selected by the nascent Republican Party as their first nominee for U. S. Vice President over Abraham Lincoln at the Philadelphia Convention (1856).

Robert Stockton – BRCS graduate who was a U.S. Navy commodore, notable in the capture of California during the Mexican-American War (1812); first naval officer to act against the slave trade; U.S. Senator from New Jersey (1851-1853); and who had four U.S. Navy ships named USS Stockton in his honor.

Samuel Southard – BRCS graduate who became Seventh U.S. Secretary of the Navy (1823-1829), and Senator from New Jersey (1833-1842); and who had named in his honor the Naval destroyer USS Southard, and the public park in Basking Ridge.

Theodore Frelinghuysen – BRCS graduate who became U.S. Senator from New Jersey (1829-1835); Whig vice-presidential nominee on the Henry Clay ticket (1844); second President of New York University (1839-1850); and seventh president of Rutgers University (1850-1862).

Reverend Robert Finley – Educator who entered the College of New Jersey (Princeton University) at age eleven. In 1809 as a successor of Dr. Samuel Kennedy, he organized the financing and construction of the Brick Academy in Basking Ridge village to meet the growing needs of the Basking Ridge Classical School.

Reverend Samuel Kennedy – In 1764, Reverend Samuel Kennedy of the Presbyterian Church founded the Basking Ridge Classical School at his 300-acre farmstead along the Passaic River. The school prepared young men for higher education, with many attending the College of New Jersey (currently Princeton University).

Gifts of Personal Property

Many items in our collection have been given to us by individuals who want to share something of historical importance. You may own an artifact from the Somerset Hills that will help us preserve the experiences of your ancestors while educating others about the Somerset Hills past.

Please note: The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills (THSSH) can only accept items with a direct relationship to the Somerset Hills.

Call us at 908-221-1770, or email us to begin a conversation about donating an artifact to The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills.