Local and On-line Resources

In addition to our Archives and Library, there are many other places available to research your home, family, or Montclair history -- here in a Montclair and a little further afield.

Montclair Public Library

The MPL houses a Montclair section featuring unique resources and books on Montclair history, a large Montclair photograph collection accessible through request,  Montclair Times on microfilm, tax records, tax maps, and vertical and archival files. The MPL is a great place to research the history of Montclair and to locate historic images of your home, business, or family. The MPL also has an online database for searching photographs.

Historic Preservation Commission

The HPC of Montclair Township houses permit records dating back to the early 1900s. If you are remodeling your historic house or just curious about what may have been changed over time, try contacting the HPC and see if their office can locate permit records for you.

Sprague Library Archives

The Sprague Library Archives is a repository for many of the documents relating to the history of Montclair State College/University and is available for reference and research by administrators, faculty, students, alumni and other interested parties.

Essex County Department of Park, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs

The Essex County Parks Department Historic Documents Library holds archives from 1895 to 1979 of the Essex County Park Commission, including commission minutes, annual reports, land transaction, Engineers’ journals, photos, maps and municipal atlases, and much more.

Newark Hall of Records

The Newark Hall of records houses property ownership records. This is helpful for residents within the community who are looking to search the property history of their home.

New Jersey Historical Society

The NJ Historical Society Research Library contains manuscripts, rare books, photographs, pamphlets, and other materials relating to New Jersey history, ranging form the colonial era to the 20th century.

New Jersey State Archives

The New Jersey State Archives is a valuable resource for those researching their family history. The archives hold birth and marriage records, census records, land records, military records dating as far back to Colonial Wars, court records and more.

Historic MapWorks

Features digitized historical tax maps of Montclair and the surrounding areas. This resource can help you locate specific years that are not available physically.

New Jersey Digital Highway

To develop an immersive, user-centered information portal, to support the New Jersey learner, through a collaboration among cultural heritage institutions that supports preservation of the past; new access strategies for the future; and active engagement with resources at the local and the global level, for shared access, local ownership.