Popular Attraction in Basking Ridge
A popular attraction in Basking Ridge is the Presbyterian church. With a stellar preschool program, it is also known for the historical events that occurred there. At one point in time, the church was a place of rest and security for George Washington and other historical figures. At the moment, the church is open to the public and is still used for services and education, making it the perfect location to explore Basking Ridge history.
Old Tree in Basking Ridge
In addition to the church having an interesting history, the cemetery located next to it does as well. This cemetery is a nice resting place with stones dating back to 1736. For hundreds of years, one of the key prospects of this location was the old white oak tree, which was one of the oldest trees in the world. Under this tree it was said that George Washington and Marquis de LaFayette enjoyed a meal. Also George Whitfield and James Davenport gave inspiring speeches to sizable crowds during the first Great Awakening there. Despite the tree dying and needing to be cut down in 2016, its legacy lives on in the form of one of its seedlings which was planted in the cemetery.
Christmas Event in Basking Ridge
The main goals of the Presbyterian church are to house events for the town including being a centerpiece for the annual Basking Ridge Christmas celebration. While these are its goals now, the church has come a long way from when it was first built in 1717. Built by Scotch-Irish farmers the church was originally a log house. The church itself was adapted multiple times to keep the building up-to-date and functioning properly. With all of the church’s positive uses, it is one of the most important buildings in Basking Ridge.
