was bought from a local native American tribe and chartered by King George II in 1749. A longtime farming town, Bridgewater was incorporated in 1899 and is now a modern suburban municipality in central Somerset County. Homes are mostly ranch-style, Cape Cods and multi-levels.

Bridgewater covers a large area, 33 square miles, and has a population of about 43,000. The community is corporate home to many new and large businesses, including pharmaceutical giants Sanofi-Aventis and Johnson&Johnson. Bridgewater also hosts the noted Bridgewater Commons Mall. There are 3600 acres of public and private parks and recreational areas preserved, giving the township a beautiful natural quality.

The highly rated Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, with a high student-teacher ratio, has five primary schools, two intermediate schools and a high school. There are also a number of nearby private schools, including Pingry, which is located in Martinsville.

A noted classical jazz season is run in Bridgewater, co-sponsored by the NJ Jazz Society, and other charming entertainments include drive-in movies in the park, and annual American Indian Festival.

Money Magazine has rated Bridgewater 15th in its ranking of Eastern US towns (populations under 100,000).