Make an impact at the montclair history center

Dear Friends,

Reflecting on 2024, we are deeply thankful for your generous support. As we strive to continue and broaden our impact on the community through research, education, and public programs, we invite you to again be a part of the Montclair History Center’s (MHC’s) meaningful work in sharing the stories of Montclair.

Sharing the Stories of the Crane House & Historic YWCA Museum
As visitors tour the Crane House & Historic YWCA, they uncover America’s history from its early years as an independent nation to a country embroiled in the civil rights struggle. In 2014 MHC reinterpreted the first level of the Crane House & Historic YWCA to reflect all periods of significance for our historic site, from 1796-1965. Since then, a strategic goal has been to similarly reinterpret the site’s second level. Grants received from the New Jersey Historical Commission Inclusive History Grant program in 2023 and 2024 have allowed us to complete further research about the women who boarded at the YWCA during the Great Migration, to understand the home’s transition to a museum in the formative years of America's historic preservation movement, and to begin the exhibit development phase.

We are also thrilled that the Crane House & Historic YWCA was named a New Jersey Black Heritage Trail Site by the New Jersey Historical Commission! Our site was selected for its important role in the history of Montclair’s Black community and its larger historical significance. A permanent historic site marker will indicate our role on the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail. We will hold a ceremony in 2025 to unveil it.

Research Library & Collections
MHC is the steward of an archival and research library composed of over 10,000 documents and materials and over 5,000 18th through 20st century artifacts. These collections are vital in documenting Montclair’s history from a changing agricultural community to the bustling suburb we are today. They support museum interpretation and exhibits, public programming, and research. We continue to prioritize digitizing the collections into our online portal, where 4,000 items can already be found (www.montclairhistory.org/digital-collections). Funding received this year from the Institute for Museum and Library Services will further improve online, public access to more of the collections. This project has begun and will be completed in 2025. Stay tuned!

Educational Programs
Education programs at MHC have grown by leaps and bounds! We continue to expand our capacity and services to meet the needs of teachers and students in the region. In the 2023-24 school year, our education team instructed over 3,600 students across all grade levels along with their chaperones and is on pace to top that this school year. Attendance increased from 454 in spring of 2021 to 3,669 in spring of 2024—a 708% increase.  We welcomed new school districts, partnered in new ways with Montclair Community Farms educators, and provided access through our website to over 500 students for digital lesson plans.

The Meadow
Debuting in 2020 through the generosity of the Landsberger Foundation, our meadow behind the Nathaniel Crane House is a kaleidoscope of historic and native plantings with brilliant colors and stunning textures that attract pollinators and contribute to the environment’s biodiversity and sustainability. Please visit! In time, with your help, the meadow will include walking paths, resting benches, and educational signage.

Accessibility
In 2024, we completed an ADA accessibility plan for our two-acre Orange Road campus. Construction this fall will improve the Clark House walkway from the parking lot and create a new barrier-free entrance ramp so that all visitors can access the research library and archives.

Public Programs and Community Engagement 
Your support also makes our public programs for the community possible. Thanks to your generosity we were able to accomplish these programs and events last year:

  • History at Home Zoom Programs: A monthly History at Home program with community historians and organizations. All programs are free and recordings are available on our YouTube Channel @montclairhistorycenter making history accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

  • Price of Liberty Series: The 9th Annual “Price of Liberty” film and discussion series explored environmental justice for communities of people of color.

  • Walking Tours:  Of the Walnut Street neighborhood, Rosedale Cemetery, Mt. Hebron Cemetery, Montclair Center the and Upper Montclair business district.

  • Research Your Home Workshops: A very popular, continuing program held in partnership with Montclair Public Library and Montclair Historic Preservation Commission for local residents.

  • Farm Camp: Again partnered with Montclair Community Farms and Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H to offer 3 weeks of nature-and history-filled summer camp programs for children ages 6 to 12.

  • Second Annual Fall Fest Fundraiser: Partnering with Montclair Community Farms, we welcomed families for a fun-filled day of food, drinks, music, farm animals, and fall activities.

  • Outreach Events and Programs: We attended Montclair festivals and events, student career fairs, and led presentations for partner organizations, expanding our reach into the community.

See our upcoming events for the new year here: www.montclairhistory.org/all-events.

Your donations are needed. In addition to the rigorous research and applications for grant funding from private and public entities, we rely heavily on your private donations. As a private 501(c)3 organization that receives no funding from the Township of Montclair,your support is critical to ensure our mission is fulfilled for the public. If you are able to support the Montclair History Center with a tax-deductible contribution, we would be so grateful.

You may donate online here or via Venmo or Zelle (search for “Montclair History Center”),

Thank you for your continued support. We wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season ahead.

Please consider a donation today.  

Gratefully,

 Elizabeth Hynes
President, Board of Trustees 
liz@montclairhistory.org

Angelica Diggs
Executive Director
angelica@montclairhistory.org