Historic Happenings Blog

The  Montclair History Center  is hosting talks via Zoom about Mills Reservation and Anderson Park. --April 30 pm at 7 pm: The History of Anderson Park with Lisanne Renner. Details at:  https://www.montclairhistory.org/things-to-do-at-home-1/2020/4/6/join-a-live-history-program-on-thursdays-during-april

The  Montclair History Center  is hosting talks via Zoom about Mills Reservation and Anderson Park. --April 23 at 7 pm: Histories and Mysteries of Mills Reservation with Helen Fallon. Details at:  https://www.montclairhistory.org/things-to-do-at-home-1/2020/4/6/join-a-live-history-program-on-thursdays-during-april

Sunday, January 19  - Montclair, Essex County Eyewitness to African American History Explore 200 years of Black history in Montclair and New Jersey through rare first-hand accounts, primary and secondary source documents. Artifacts include a bill of sale for an enslaved person in the household, a 1800s newspaper, an 1840s New York  Knickerbocker  magazine, census data, personal letters, oral histories, and mid-century  Jet  and  Ebony  magazines. These artifacts provide a springboard for discussion about race both in the past and in the present-day. Tours of the Crane House & Historic YWCA begin at 1:00 and 2:30 pm. Admission is $6/adult; $5/student/senior with ID; $4/child; under 2 free. Member get in free!  T he Crane House/Historic YWCA is located at  110 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ .  For more information, call 973-744-1796, e-mail  mail@montclairhistorical.org , or visit  www.montclairhistory.org .

Sunday, December 15  - Montclair, Essex County Come See the Holiday Decorations! T he Crane House and Historic YWCA and Shultz House will be open for self-guided tours on Sunday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. See the Crane House & Historic YWCA (110 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ) decorated by the Garden Club of Montclair. Move forward in history to the Shultz House (30 N Mountain Avenue, Montclair, NJ) featuring Molly Shultz’s own collection on Christmas decorations, mantle decorations from Bartlett's Greenhouses & Florist of Clifton and children’s book exhibit. As a gift to our visitors this holiday season, we will be waiving our normal fee of $6. If you are in the giving spirit, donations are always welcome at any of our museums.  For more information, call 973-744-1796 or visit  www.montclairhistorical.org .

Saturday - Sunday, December 7 - 8  - Montclair, Essex County Holiday House Tours T he Crane House and Historic YWCA and Shultz House will be open for self-guided tours as part of the Essex County Holiday House tour, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. See the Crane House & Historic YWCA (110 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ) decorated by the Garden Club of Montclair, then visit the hearth to learn about holiday food traditions. We’ll have some craft vendors and children’s activities at the Crane House and Historic YWCA.   Move forward in history to the Shultz House (30 N Mountain Aveune, Montclair, NJ) featuring Molly Shultz’s own collection on Christmas decorations, mantle decorations from Bartlett's Greenhouses & Florist of Clifton and children’s book exhibit. While you’re at one of our houses, pick up a brochure of all the other houses that are open in Essex County this weekend. As a gift to our visitors this holiday season, we will be waivi...

Sunday, November 17  - Montclair, Essex County Historic House Tours: Crane/YWCA & Shultz Open On Sunday you can visit ALL of the Montclair Historical Society’s properties, including the Shultz House at 30 North Mountain Avenue, Montclair, NJ. This amazing gem of a house is an intact time capsule of life in the early 20th century. Wait until you see the woodwork, the Delft fireplace surround, the science equipment in the library! You can also discover history through the “many voices” who made our community what it is today at the Crane House and Historic YWCA at 108 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ. The people who lived, worked, and relaxed in this building tell the story of not only Montclair, but also New Jersey and nation from its early years of a fledgling country to a country embroiled in Civil Rights. While you’re here, make sure you see what’s growing at the farm, meet the chickens, and visit the Museum Shop for unique, one-of-a-kind treats. Both houses are open from 1:00 - 4:...

Sunday, November 3  - Montclair, Essex County Rosedale Cemetery Tour Founded over 175 years ago, Rosedale Cemetery marked the beginning of a new movement in how America took care of its deceased. We’ll talk about grave imagery as well as the people who are buried in the oldest section of the cemetery. Led by Executive Director, Jane Eliasof, and Assistant Director, Angelica Diggs.  Admission is $10 per person and registration is required. To register, call 973-744-1796, email mail@montclairhistorical.org, or  register online . Tour will begin at the Rosedale Chapel for a brief introduction at 408 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ. Carpooling is suggested due to limited parking on site and driving to distant parts of the cemetery. Tour is from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, about 1 mile of walking. For more information, call 973-744-1796, e-mail  mail@montclairhistorical.org , or visit  www.montclairhistory.org .

Sunday, October 27 – Essex County Rosedale Cemetery Tour Montclair, NJ - Sunday, October 27 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Founded over 175 years ago, Rosedale Cemetery marked the beginning of a new movement in how America took care of its deceased. We’ll venture into the old section for this guided tour, discussing grave imagery as well as the people who are buried there. Led by Executive Director Jane Eliasof.  Admission is $10/person, registration required online at  www.montclairhistory.org . The tour begins at the Rosedale Chapel for a brief introduction at 408 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ. Carpooling is suggested due to limited parking on-site and driving to distant parts of the cemetery. Tour is from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, about 1 mile of walking. Register online.     About the Montclair History Center: The Montclair History Center, formerly the Montclair Historical Society, is an independent not-for-profit organization that has been dedicated to preserving, sharing,...

Sunday, October 13 – Essex County Tours of the Crane House & Historic YWCA and The Shultz House Montclair, NJ – Sunday, October 13 from 1 to 4 pm.     Visit one or both houses in one afternoon. At the Crane House and Historic YWCA, at 110 Orange Road, visitors will explore 200 years of Black history in Montclair and New Jersey through rare first-hand accounts, primary and secondary source documents. The Shultz House (Evergreens), 30 N. Mountain Avenue, is  a time capsule of a family that takes you back to life in the early 20th century Montclair. Tours of the Crane House & Historic YWCA are at 1 and 2:30. Tours of the Shultz House are on the half hour, last tour 3:30 pm. Admission is $6/adult; $5/student/senior with ID; $4/child; under 2 free, good for both sites. From 1 to 4 pm. Members get in free!

Saturday, October 5 – Essex County Harvest Home Tour     Saturday, October 5 from 11 am to 4 pm.     Montclair is known for its beautiful architecture and variety in its houses. Spend a self-guided afternoon exploring up to 10 historic and/or grand homes in Montclair. Many of these homes are privately owned and the homeowners have graciously opened their doors for this fundraiser! All tours begin at 110 Orange Road, where you can pick up your tour booklet that will serve as your “ticket” into the homes. Houses will be open from 11 am to 4 pm. $45 per person. Children under 13 will not be allowed on the tours. Tickets are limited. Register online at www.montclairhistory.org .     About the Montclair History Center: The Montclair History Center, formerly the Montclair Historical Society, is an independent not-for-profit organization that has been dedicated to preserving, sharing, and educating others about Montclair’s history sin...

Wednesday, September 25 – Essex County HISTORIC HEROINES AND TRAILBLAZERS OF MONTCLAIR Montclair, NJ  – Wednesday, September 25 at 7 pm Jane Eliasof, the Executive Director of Montclair History Center, will share stories and unknown facts about many notable women from the Montclair area. These women contributed to their respective fields that were traditionally dominated by men or who fought for equal rights. The program takes place at the Israel Crane House & Historic YWCA, 110 Orange Road. Doors open at 6:30 pm.    Suggested donation is $5. About the Montclair History Center: The Montclair History Center, formerly the Montclair Historical Society, is an independent not-for-profit organization that has been dedicated to preserving, sharing, and educating others about Montclair’s history since 1965. For additional information, please visit the website  www.montclairhistory.org   or contact the Montclair History Center at 973-744-1796 or mail@montclairhi...

Sunday, September 22 – Essex County Tours of the Crane House & Historic YWCA and The Schultz House Montclair, NJ  – Sunday, September 22 from 1 to 4 pm. Visit one or both houses in one afternoon. The Crane House and Historic YWCA is a window to the history of our nation from its early years as an independent country to a country embroiled in the civil rights struggle.  The Shultz House (Evergreens) is a fully intact time capsule of a family that takes you back to life in early 20th century Montclair. Tours of the Crane House & Historic YWCA are on the hour, last tour at 3 pm. Tours of the Shultz House are on the half-hour, last tour 3:30 pm. Admission is $6/adult; $5/student/senior with ID; $4/child; under 2 free, good for both sites. From 1 to 4 pm. Members get in free! 30 North Mountain Avenue and 110 Orange Road, Montclair.

Sunday, September 8 – Essex County Walk. Talk. Taste Montclair! Discover the food and stories that make Montclair unique on this 3-hour food tasting and historical walking tour of Bloomfield West (the area between Bloomfield the Montclair Art Museum and Church Street). Sample food from 6 Montclair restaurants.  Space is limited. $45/person; $40 for Montclair History Center members. To buy tickets, register on our website at www.montclairhistory.org . Are you a member of the Montclair History Center? If so, please type and select your name in the “constituent” field when you register, and you will receive the member discount. Not a member? Sign up on our website.

Sunday, August 4 – Essex County Walk. Talk. Taste Montclair. Bloomfield West.   Montclair, NJ  – Sunday, August 4 from 2 to 5 pm. Discover the food and stories that make Montclair unique on this 3-hour food tasting and historical walking tour of Bloomfield West (the area between Bloomfield the Montclair Art Museum and Church Street). Sample foods from 6 Montclair restaurants. Space is limited. $45/person; $40 for Montclair History Center members.  If you are not a member, you may join prior to the event or at the event for admission by contacting the Montclair History Center at 973-744-1796, at www.montclairhistory.org , or sending a note to  mail@montclairhistorical.org .

Sunday, July 21 – Essex County Tours of the Crane House & Historic YWCA and The Schultz House Montclair, NJ  – Sunday, July 21 from 1 to 4 pm. Visit one or both houses in one afternoon.  The Crane House and Historic YWCA is a window on to the history of our nation from its early years as an independent country to a country embroiled in the civil rights struggle. The Shultz House (Evergreens, pictured) is a fully intact time capsule of a family that takes you back to life in the early 20th century Montclair.  Tours of the Crane House & Historic YWCA are on the hour, last tour at 3 pm. Tours of the Shultz House are on the half hour, last tour 3:30 pm. Admission is $6/adult; $5/student/senior with ID; $4/child; under 2 free, good for both sites. From 1 to 4 pm. Members get in free! 30 North Mountain Avenue and 110 Orange Road, Montclair.    If you are not a member, you may join prior to the event or at the event for admission by contacti...

Sunday, July 14 – Essex County Walk. Talk. Taste Montclair History Sunday, July 14 from 2 to 5 pm. Discover the food and stories that make Montclair unique on this 3-hour food tasting and historical walking tour of downtown Montclair. Sample foods from at least 6 Montclair restaurants. Space is limited. $45/person; $40 for Montclair History Center members.  Join here .  If you are not a member, you may join prior to the event or at the event for admission by contacting the Montclair History Center at 973-744-1796, at www.montclairhistory.org, or sending a note to  mail@montclairhistorical.org .  About the Montclair History Center: The Montclair History Center, formerly the Montclair Historical Society, is an independent not-for-profit organization that has been dedicated to preserving, sharing, and educating others about Montclair’s history since 1965. For additional information, please visit the website  www.montclairhistory.org   or contact the ...

Calling All Artists! The Montclair History Center's quilt collection is the inspiration for a fall art exhibition at Studio Montclair. Artists are invited to submit works of art that are inspired by the antique quilt collection at the Montclair  History Center . "Inspired by" can be interpreted broadly to include a shape, a color, a process, materials, or even a reaction to words that describe a quilt or the women who made them and/or their place in society. Please note:  Existing artwork that fits this theme may be submitted for this call. Pictures and descriptions of the quilts are available on  Studio Montclair’s website ,   and a selection will be on display at the Crane House and Historic YWCA in Montclair during the months of April and May (Wednesday afternoons at 1 pm and by appointment).  Studio Montclair's website and register (RSVP mandatory). Studio Montclair's Community Partnership Exhibition Program:  Every year Studio Montclair will partner wi...

Saturday, June 22 – Essex County Erwin Park Walking Tour Montclair, NJ  – Saturday, June 22 from 10 am to 12 pm Wander through this beautiful turn-of-the-century commuter suburb with Mike Farrelly, member of the MHC Board of Trustees and Town Historian. You’re guaranteed to learn a lot about this history of this beautiful town. $10/person.  About the Montclair History Center: The Montclair History Center, formerly the Montclair Historical Society, is an independent not-for-profit organization that has been dedicated to preserving, sharing, and educating others about Montclair’s history since 1965. For additional information, please visit the website  www.montclairhistory.org   or contact the Montclair History Center at 973-744-1796 or  mail@montclairhistorical.org . Reserve here.