Montclair
New Jersey
Montclair History Center
Mission: The mission of the Montclair History Center is to PRESERVE, EDUCATE, and SHARE. We PRESERVE our local history through our historical buildings, artifacts and documents. We EDUCATE the community on local history and its importance through programs, advocacy and exhibits. We SHARE the stories and history of the various persons and groups that have and continue to shape Montclair. Adopted February 2012.
About Us:
The Montclair History Center (MHC), a nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization, promotes preservation, study and appreciation of local history. The Montclair History Center was originally founded in 1965 to save the Israel Crane House, a Federal Revival style landmark home built by a local entrepreneur in 1796. It was relocated from Glen Ridge Avenue to its current location on Orange Road. Located next to the Israel Crane house’s new location is the Nathaniel Crane House. Built about 1818, it was donated to the Montclair History Center in 1973 by the Sampson family. Together, the two Crane Houses serve the public as a historic house museum, museum shop and space for demonstrations, lectures and classes interpreting our area’s past. In 2014, the scope of interpretation for the Crane House was expanded to include the period in the 20th century when it served as a YWCA for African American women and girls.
In 1984, MHC purchased the Clark House, located at 108 Orange Road, adjacent to the two Crane houses. The house, built in 1896, expanded the institution's ability to service the public by creating the Terhune Research Library and administrative offices. Since its inception, the Library has been a valuable resource for scholars, historians, local teachers and homeowners wishing to know more about their home (often to aide in restoration efforts and thus preserving historic districts).
Upcoming Events at Montclair History Center
Hometown Trivia Fundraiser
Recent News
Crane House and Historic YWCA Museum Open September 22, 2024
Museum Open: September 22 from 12 to 3 pm The Crane House & Historic YWCA museum is a historic house museum that explores the history of our country from its early years as an independent nation to a country embroiled in the civil rights…
Read More »Montclair History Center Happenings Newsletter - September 2024
Museum Reopens Every Sunday September 8th through December 22 From 12 to 3 pm The Crane House & Historic YWCA Museum will be open every Sunday for self-guided tours. Admission is $8/person; children under 2 are free; MHC members free.…
Read More »Crane House and Historic YWCA Museum Named a New Jersey Black Heritage Site
Honoring the Legacy of Montclair's Historic YWCA Montclair History Center’s (MHC) Crane House and Historic YWCA Museum is one of 32 sites to be named a New Jersey Black Heritage Site by the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) in its…
Read More »Farm Camp Registration Is Live
Join Us for a Nature and History-filled Camp Farm Camp Registration is Live The Montclair History Center, Montclair Community Farms, and Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H partner each year to host a fun, nature, and history-filled camp for…
Read More »Honoring Longtime Supporter Frances Mills
Celebrating the Contributions of Frances Mills The Montclair History Center was saddened to hear of the passing of supporter Frances Mills. Frances was one of the founding members of the Montclair History Center, then the Montclair Historical…
Read More »Montclair History Center News - December 14, 2023
Winter Wonderland Open House Sunday, December 17th, 12 to 3 pm Visit the Crane House & Historic YWCA Museum to see the beautiful period decorations by Garden Club of Montclair. Eexplore this 227-year-old home at your leisure and warm yourself…
Read More »Montclair History Center Partners with Montclair Ambulance Unit toPreserve and Share MAU’s History
The Montclair History Center is helping Montclair Ambulance Unit (MAU) celebrate MAU’s 70-year history. In partnership, the two organizations are working to digitize, catalogue, preserve, and share MAU’s archival and artifact collection.…
Read More »New Oral Histories from the Many Voices of Montclair Oral History Project
New Oral Histories from the Many Voices of Montclair Oral History Project The next round of oral histories from the 2018 oral history project are now available. In this blog post, find links to the interview summary and audio files of Keith Ali,…
Read More »Support the Our Heirloom Bulb Sale and Shop 15 Varieties of Narcissi, Tulips, Allium, Hyacinths, and Crocus!
FALL HEIRLOOM BULB FUNDRAISER Our fall sale has begun! Now through September 18. ?????With a nod to our Dutch "Speertown" roots, we’ve got heirloom bulbs for your garden! These are the varieties you may have found in Montclair gardens back…
Read More »Montclair History Center News - August 10, 2023
Celebrating Montclair History Center’s 2023 Summer Interns??????????????? Quayannah Lane joins us as a Staff Intern through the Eleven+ organization. ??????? The Montclair History Center has once again welcomed a dynamic group of summer…
Read More »Montclair History Center News - August 4, 2023
Fall Heirloom Bulb Fundraiser Our fall sale has begun! Now through September 18. With a nod to our Dutch "Speertown" roots, we’ve got heirloom bulbs for your garden! These are the varieties you may have found in Montclair gardens back when…
Read More »Montclair History Center News - July 17, 2023
Space Still Avaiable For Camp Next Week! The Montclair History Center, Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H, and the Montclair Community Farms partner each summer to host a fun, nature and history filled camp for youth to learn about our past, and…
Read More »Montclair History Center News - July 10, 2023
Next Round of Oral Histories Released from the Many Voices of Montclair Oral History Project??????????????? Dr. Carole (Layne) Willis The next round of oral histories from the 2018 oral history project are now available. In this blog post, find…
Read More »Montclair History Center News -July 7,2023
Montclair History Center Welcomes Students Back to the Crane House & Historic YWCA Museum Mr. Addison Jarvis and educator Mrs. Janet Spoerl. Mr. Addison was Mrs. Spoerl’s student at Bradford and is now a para educator at Hillside…
Read More »Montclair History Center - Register for Farm Camp this July 2023
Register for Farm Camp this July The Montclair History Center, Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H, and the Montclair Community Farms partner each summer to host a fun, nature and history filled camp for youth to learn about our past, and where…
Read More »Montclair History Center News - July 5, 2023
July Walking Tours Walk. Talk. Taste. Montclair- Upper Bloomfield Avenue Sunday July16th from 12 to 3 pm Discover the food and stories that make Montclair unique on this 3-hour food tasting and historical walking tour of the section of Bloomfield…
Read More »Montclair History Center News - June 21, 2023
Space Still Available For Select Farm Camp Weeks! The Montclair History Center, Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H, and the Montclair Community Farms partner each summer to host a fun, nature and history filled camp for youth to learn about our…
Read More »Hortense Tate Scholarship Awarded to Montclair High School Student Desiree Lawrence
Hortense Tate Scholarship Awarded to Montclair High School Student Desiree Lawrence Education is a critical component of the Montclair History Center’s mission, embodied in its local history programs for school children and adults and in…
Read More »Montclair History Center News - June 19, 2023
Space Still Available For Select Farm Camp Weeks! The Montclair History Center, Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H, and the Montclair Community Farms partner each summer to host a fun, nature and history filled camp for youth to learn about our…
Read More »Register Today for Farm Camp
Farm Camp Registration Open for this Summer The Montclair History Center, Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H, and the Montclair Community Farms partner each summer to host a fun, nature and history filled camp for youth to learn about our past,…
Read More »Montclair History Center News - May 31, 2023
Additional Oral Histories Released from the Many Voices of Montclair Oral History Project The second round of oral histories from the 2018 oral history project are now available. In this blog post, find links to the interview summary and audio…
Read More »Montclair History Center News - June 2023
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…
Read More »Montclair History Center News - May 24, 2023
History at Home Tonight at 7 pm: A Discussion with Father Charles Brady Charles Brady, a former Catholic priest, served St. Peter Claver parish on Elmwood Avenue in Montclair and Holy Spirit parish in Orange from 1966 through 1973. Brady'smission…
Read More »This Week at the Montclair History Center - May 22, 2023
This Week at the Montclair History Center HISTORY AT HOME: A DISCUSSION WITH FATHER CHARLES BRADY Wednesday, May 24th at 7 pm Charles Brady, a former Catholic priest, served St. Peter Claver parish on Elmwood Avenue in Montclair and Holy…
Read More »Celebrate Preservation Month with the Montclair History Center
Moving of the Crane House & Historic YWCA by Lackawanna Plaza in 1965 Coming Up this Month at the Montclair History Center! Details below. Two History at Home programs this month will explore Colonial Era Homes on May 11th and the rescheduled…
Read More »Counselor-In-Training Positions Available at Farm Camp
Counselor & Counselor-in-Training Positions Available at Farm Camp Counselor positions for students 16+ and CIT positions for students ages 12-15 are available for all weeks of camp. Counselors must be age 16 by June 1, 2023 and CITs must be…
Read More »Montclair History Center : Hortense Tate Scholarship for Montclair Students Available
Hortense Tate was a pivotal figure in the Glenridge Avenue YWCA from the time she moved to Montclair from Kansas to become a Girl Reserve Secretary in 1921 and throughout the 20th century, continuing the YWCA mission to establish an educational…
Read More »Montclair History Center: Warm Weather On The Mind? A Few Reminders About Farm Camp And The Annual Herb Sale
Farm Camp Registration Open for this Summer The Montclair History Center, Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H, and the Montclair Community Farms partner each summer to host a fun, nature and history filled camp for youth to learn about our past, and…
Read More »Montclair History Center : History at Home and Build Montclair in Legos Returns This Week
HISTORY AT HOME: PHOTOGRAPHY OF CHARLES WARREN EATON, 1900 TO 1925 Thursday, March 9th at 7 pm Historical Society of Bloomfield Trustee Rich Rockwell presents a new program on the photography of Charles Warren Eaton from 1900 to 1925. Rockwell…
Read More »Montclair History Center - Pre-Order Your Herbs And Heirloom Tomatoes For Our Annual Herb Salethis May
Time to Preorder Herbs & Heirloom Tomatoes Hard to believe it's that time of year again! The Annual Herb Sale will take place from May 4th through May 7th. Preorder your herbs and heirloom tomatoes as you start your Spring planning for your…
Read More »Montclair History Center : Hortense Tate Scholarship for Montclair Students
Hortense Tate was a pivotal figure in the Glenridge Avenue YWCA from the time she moved to Montclair from Kansas to become a Girl Reserve Secretary in 1921 and throughout the 20th century, continuing the YWCA mission to establish an educational…
Read More »Montclair History Center News - February 13, 2023
The Montclair History Center welcomes applications for the Hortense Tate Scholarship. Mrs. Tate inspired countless young women at the YWCA by creating a positive environment, fostering cultural pride, and encouraging African American young women to…
Read More »Montclair History Center - Celebrating Black History Month
Celebrating Black History Month The Montclair History Center celebrates Black History this month, and every month. Explore the below programs, virtual histories, and resources available to learn about the stories and contributions of the African…
Read More »Save The Date: Farm Camp Registration Opens January 31
Click Here To View The Save The Date: Farm Camp Registration Opens January 31
Read More »In Case You Missed It: History Resources to Watch and Read From Home
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT 2022 If you've missed any of our History at Home programs, Montclair history articles, blogs we've posted, or additions to our digital collections, check out the complete list below! History at Home on YouTube The…
Read More »Final Week To Place Your Map Order
Personalized Historic Maps We’re offering replica maps from three different years: the 1906 Atlas of Essex County, 1926 tax map, and a 1934 Sanborn map. Great for long-time Montclair residents, new-in-town folks, or people who once called…
Read More »Montclair History Center : New Blog Post - The Many Voices of Montclair Oral History Project
In 2018/2019, as part of Montclair’s 150th Anniversary, the Montclair History Center invited long-time Montclair residents to share their recollections of earlier times in Montclair. We hoped to interview 20-30 individuals. By the time we…
Read More »Montclair History Center - Tis the Season - Join us for Some Holiday Cheer this December!
Tis the Season - Join us for Some Holiday Cheer this December! Join the Montclair History Center this December and celebrate the holiday season! The Crane House & Historic YWCA and our Museum Store will be open every weekend (dates and times…
Read More »Shop Local With The Montclair History Center
Shop local with the Montclair History Center this Season Personalized Historic Maps We’re offering replica maps from three different years: the 1906 Atlas of Essex County, 1926 tax map, and a 1934 Sanborn map. Great for long-time Montclair…
Read More »