Discover Montclair History

A letter to Montclair, from Montclair.

A community time capsule, sealed in November 2026. We're gathering contributions now.

Support Us

Your donation, volunteer time, and sponsorship supports our mission for the public.

History at Home

Historians present on topics such as local lore, African American history, architecture, and more.

Online Collections

View photographs, postcards, and selections of archival material from our online portal.

Plan Your Visit

The Crane House & Historic YWCA Museum is open for public and private tours.

Education Programs

Immerse your students into history through our interactive learning experiences.

Featured

Jul 27

July 27, 2026 – August 21, 2026

Farm Camp This July & August

July 27, 2026 – August 21, 2026

Outdoor fun in the sun!

July 27, 2026 – August 21, 2026

Montclair in Motion: Food Tasting & History Tour with Chow Town Food Tours

Aug 22

August 22, 2026

Montclair in Motion: Food Tasting & History Tour with Chow Town Food Tours

August 22, 2026

Explore the lower Bloomfield Avenue neighborhood on this immersive tour showcasing a hyper-local culinary renaissance and rich history of the community.

August 22, 2026

Aug 27

August 27, 2026

Member Event: Unlocking the Archives

August 27, 2026

Explore collections not often on view and refreshments in the gardens of the Crane House and Historic YWCA.

August 27, 2026

Old Ways, New Hands: A Hands-On Homeschool Series

Sep 10

September 10, 2026

Old Ways, New Hands: A Hands-On Homeschool Series

September 10, 2026

This 5-week hearth- and homestead-based series introduces children to traditional handcrafts and foodways through activities such as tea, butter, and candle making, as well as flower pressing, and canning.

September 10, 2026

MONTCLAIR HISTORY Center BloG

Featured

July 17, 2026

Ration Books, Service, and Resilience: Our Neighbors’ Stories of World War II

July 17, 2026

Listen to Montclair residents’ firsthand experiences of World War II in this new oral history podcast.

Read more →

July 17, 2026

July 8, 2026

Meet Our Growing Team

July 8, 2026

Meet the new employees helping to preserve Montclair history.

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July 8, 2026

June 15, 2026

Getting By Together: Montclair Remembers the Great Depression

June 15, 2026

Listen to Montclair residents’ firsthand experiences of the Great Depression in this new oral history podcast.

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June 15, 2026

May 28, 2026

Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month and Art with Ela Shah

May 28, 2026

Montclair artist Ela Shah shares new two pieces of artwork that reflect her experience growing up as part of the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community in Montclair, in her own words.

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May 28, 2026

May 11, 2026

“We Just Played”: Childhood in Montclair, 1930s–1960s

May 11, 2026

Before scheduled playdates, organized leagues, and screen time, childhood in Montclair was defined by freedom, imagination, and neighborhood connections.

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May 11, 2026