New Vernon is rooted in tradition and natural appeal
                        
New Vernon is a very desirable community smack in the center of Harding Township. Generations of families call this area home and work together to preserve the township's bucolic nature and history. 
                        
                    
                    
                            Elegant manors and lakeside cottages in this wealthy zip code
                        
Many politicians, Fortune 500 executives and industrialists call New Vernon and the greater township home. Because of this, Harding Township has long been considered one of the state's most exclusive areas. So much so Forbes once declared it in its 'Top 25 Richest Zip Codes.' Many elegant estates and manors sit on the National Register of Historic Places. Residents also live in bungalows and cottages in the Mount Kemble Lake community, which date back to the 1920s. Most properties are luxurious and large, on more than 3 acres. The spacious properties provide residents with privacy and also big backyards. Homes tend to be priced between $1 million and $4 million. Two town home developments, Shadowbrook and Harding Green, feature estate-like living.                        
                    
                    
                            Harding Township has A-rated public schools and private options
                        
Children here can attend Harding Township School for prekindergarten through eighth grade. The school serves as its own school district and earns an A from Niche. The area has a partnership that allows students to advance to Madison High School, which receives an A. Madison High students have a history of helping those in need and the school offers a service learning program that promotes involvement in the community. Some children in the area attend private schools such as the Pingry School, Mendham Country Day School, Morristown-Beard, the Delbarton School and Kent Place School.                         
                    
                    
                            Horse trails, parks and wildlife refuge offer outdoor escapes
                        
The community surrounds residents with thousands of acres of protected green space and waterways. Be on the lookout for horses around town. Horse-crossing signs are common as many properties have permanent easements for the horse trail that snakes through much of the township. So if you ride horses, the township has plenty of public trails. There are several parks and fields for outdoor fun, like Bayne Park and Kirby Hall Park. There's also Memorial Park and Blue Mill Fields. Residents wanting to learn more about their wildlife neighbors don't have to stray as the Great Swamp Wildlife Refuge is right in their backyard. This nearly 8,000-acre refuge is a perfect spit for hiking and nature viewing. Be sure to visit the Wildlife Observation Center and the Great Swamp Greenhouse. For indoor fun, spend time at the all-volunteer Kemmerer Library. Here kids can practice yoga during storytime, sing and dance, make tons of crafts and read with puppies. For adults, there's virtual author visits and cooking and book clubs. Speaking of volunteers, the New Vernon Volunteer Fire Department traditionally hosts two annual fundraisers — a fall auction and a summer lobster and steak dinner — that draw tons and tons of visitors.                         
                    
                    
                            Barbecue, Chinese chicken salad and handmade truffles feed locals
                        
The Green Village Deli, home of the famous Chinese chicken salad, serves breakfast and lunch daily. Deli makes countless types of salads, sandwiches and sandwiches. Minuteman Whiskey Bar & BBQ makes smoked wings and hush puppies and serves barbecued meat by the pound, including brisket, pork and chicken. After your meal, head on over to The Candy Store of Harding and pick out handmade truffles. There's a flower shop and wine store nearby. While there are only a few shops and restaurants in town, there are several towns about a 10-minute drive away with grocery stores and more locally owned spots.                         
                    
        
		![Brendan Rogers]() 
	
			
				Photography Contributed By
			
			
				Brendan Rogers