June at the Montclair History Center brings walking tours, history at home, MuseumWeek!, guided house tours and community festivals! See the below programs and events happening this month!

June Programs & Events

Guided Walking Tour of Watchung Park & Plaza- ONLY 4 TICKETS LEFT!

Sunday June 4th from 1 to 2:30 pm

In the early days of Montclair’s settlement, Watchung Avenue divided the Dutch farmlands of Speertown in the north end of today’s Montclair from the English farmlands of Cranetown. All that changed when the railroad came through in the late 1800s. Developers bought the farms and created business districts and housing around the new stations. This walk will take you through a turn-of-the-century business district and commuter suburb, developed between 1900 and 1930. The tour will include a special stop at the site of the new Judy Weston Garden in Watchung Park, a place for residents and passersby “to reflect and connect.” The garden honors the late philanthropist and devoted friend of Montclair. This event is free, thanks to our partner, The Judy Weston Garden @ Watchung Park. Reservations are required. ???????REGISTER HERE

MuseumWeek!

Tuesday, June 6th through Friday, June 9th

MuseumWeek is an annual event that takes place on social media, with the goal of promoting museums and cultural institutions around the world. In honor of MuseumWeek, the Crane House & Historic YWCA will be open Tuesday, June 6th through Friday, June 9th from 11am to 2pm for self-guided tours. General admission fees will be waived this week - instead, we ask that you pay what you can! No prior registration required. MORE DETAILS

History at Home: Trinity- Doing Good Work in Montclair's Caribbean and African American Communities 

Thursday, June 15th at 7 pm 

George Marshall Plaskett, a 12-year-old orphan from the Caribbean, worked his way to the US to start a new life. He began working as a bell boy at night and attending school during the day. His strong desire for education  resulted in his receiving Bachelor of Divinity degree at age 24. Rev. Dr. Plaskett was inspired to minister to mankind and became what many called him — “a pioneer in his work.“ He founded Trinity Episcopal Church in Montclair, NJ, and  many other churches. Trinity, which closed in 2007 after 91 years, became a home for British subjects who immigrated from the Caribbean in addition to becoming  a church home for many entrepreneurs, professionals, and musicians who broke racial barriers in various disciplines. This program will be presented by Nesta Stephens, a former parishioner at Trinity Episcopal.

This is a FREE Zoom Presentation

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/92938168537?pwd=T0pGbVgxVUMwVjV0WDBMZlFkbUI0Zz09

Meeting ID: 929 3816 8537

Passcode: 818319

Guided House Tour: Eyewitness to Black History

Sunday, June 18th, Tours at 12 pm, 1 pm or 2 pm 

Explore 200 years of Black history in Montclair and New Jersey through rare first-hand accounts, primary and secondary source documents at the Crane House & Historic YWCA. Artifacts include a bill of sale for an enslaved person in the household, an 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. MORE DETAILS

Visit Us at These Upcoming Community Events

Montclair African-American Heritage Foundation's Annual Festival

Saturday, June 3rd from 1 to 6 pm

Each year, on the first Saturday in June, the Montclair African-American Heritage Foundation hosts a wonderful parade and fun-filled festival with exciting star-filled lineups for the festivities. This year the festival will be held at Nishuane Park. The Montclair History Center will be in attendance with an information booth. MORE DETAILS

Montclair Pride 2023

Saturday, June 10th from 12 pm to 6 pm

Revenue generated at Montclair Pride is INVESTED back into year-round educational and community programming to CREATE SAFE SPACES and OFFER RESOURCES to LGBTQIA+ teens, families, seniors, as well as trans, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary people of all ages. The Montclair History Center will be in attendance with an information booth supporting the event.  MORE DETAILS

Montclair Race Amity Day

Sunday, June 11th from 12:30 to 3:30 pm

Bring a blanket and a picnic lunch and come celebrate what brings us together.  Come for the program and stay for the day's activities. Through music, spoken word, improv storytelling, arts & crafts, and tours of the Crane House & Historic YWCA, we'll showcase the power and potential of uniting in friendship across race and culture. It's more than just an event. It's an expression of an idea that against the odds of the differences and circumstances that divide us, together we are more than the sum of our parts. MORE DETAILS

Juneteenth Jubilee 

Saturday, June 17th from 12 pm to 6 pm???????

A town wide Juneteenth Jubilee will celebrate freedom during a fun-filled day planned with guest speakers, a vendors village, food trucks, face painters, pony rides and story corner for what is sure to be a day of community fellowship. The Montclair History Center will be in attendance with an information booth.  MORE DETAILS

One Love Cultured Kids and MCPK's Montclair Juneteenth Family Celebration

Monday, June 19h, Tours at 12 pm, 1 pm or 2 pm 

Celebrating Love, Unity, and Freedom in our community. Schools are off, so gather your family and friends for this family and kid-friendly celebration! Get ready to be entertained, educated, creatively inspired, and indulge in delicious food, all in one event! Move to the beats of DJ GI and enjoy performances featuring SMAPA, Beyond The Boogie, Maati Cultural Arts Community, and more. Listen to captivating children stories by Montclair Public Library and Drag Story Hour presented by Out Montclair! Take a Black History tour with Montclair History Center and our partners. MORE DETAILS