Articles about Montclair’s History

Mysterious Old House on Valley Rd. Montclair Neighbors. May 2024. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. Have you ever peaked through the trees and wondered about this old house near Acme? Wonder no more!

Two for the Price of One. Montclair Neighbors. April 2024. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. Have you ever noticed this breezeway connecting two houses on Valley Road near Tierney’s Tavern and wondered what it was all about? Wonder no more!

Regular Old Houses. Montclair Neighbors. March 2024. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. Montclair has plenty of large, grand houses - why not take the time to explore one of the “regular” ones on Gates Avenue?

Golden Yew Acres. Montclair Neighbors. February 2024. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. How is a morning cup of coffee, your local newspaper, and Richard Nixon all connected? Read about this house on Prospect Ave to find out!

Cozy Brick Second Empire on Pleasant Avenue. Montclair Neighbors. January 2024. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. Be sure to read to the end to discover an interesting Jamaica connection!

Magical Queen Anne on Porter Place. Montclair Neighbors. December 2023. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. Did the first woman to get her driver’s license in NJ live here? Take a look to find out!

An Elm Street Link to the Past. Montclair Neighbors. November 2023. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. This 19th century house has ties to Montclair’s (and Newark’s!) founders.

Through the Ages In Montclair. Montclair Neighbors. October 2023. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. See how this building on Orange Road near Washington Avenue reflects the history of Montclair itself.

Me and Mini-Me. Montclair Neighbors. September 2023. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. One of the original houses of the Erwin Park neighborhood, this historic home on Midland Avenue has a rich history.

A Sunny Corner Lot on Elm Street. Montclair Neighbors. August 2023. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. Explore the home of former prominent Montclair resident, Hortense Ridley Tate.

A Montclair family’s comitement to literature, law, and Asian American advocacy. Montclair Neighbors. July 2023. By Valentina Di Donato. How a Montclair family’s passion for poetry and law led to creating one of the largest Asian American and Pacific Islander groups in North Jersey.

A Pretty Little Place on Lincoln Street. Montclair Neighbors. July 2023. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. Learn about how one of the previous owners was one of the first teaches to create a curriculum for African American history!

Understated Beauty on Irving Street. Montclair Neighbors. June 2023. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. Learn the connection between this house and an inspiring local Black doctor, Dr. John A. Kenny.

A Swiss Chalet Hidden Behind the Trees. Montclair Neighbors. May 2023. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. Have you spotted this house on the corner of Park Street and Bellevue Avenue?

Queen Anne Gem on Van Vleck. Montclair Neighbors. April 2023. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. Dive into the history of this quintesential Montclair home, featured in magazines since 1884!

‘Irvingcroft’ on Llewellyn Road. Montclair Neighbors. March 2023. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. Why is this gorgeous Georgian mansion called Irvingcroft? And what’s its connection to 2 founding fathers and 2 presidents?

Victorian Lady on Bellevue Avenue. Montclair Neighbors. February 2023. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. What’s the story behind this 1890’s house?

Behind the White Picket Fence Part 1 and Part 2. Montclair Neighbors. December 2022 and January 2023. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. Take a peak through the picket fence into this Grove Street home.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Researching Your Montclair Home. The Montclair Girl. November 20, 2022. By Eva Grall. Read on to discover the step-by-step process for researching your Montclair home through tips and resources from the Montclair History Center.

One of the Oldest Houses in Montclair. Montclair Neighbors. November 2022. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. Discover the history behind one of the oldest houses still standing in Montclair!

Classic House on the Hill. Montclair Neighbors. September 2022. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. What does John D. Rockefeller and local “Sweet Daddy” Grace have in common? Read about this South Mountain house to find out!

Elegant and Imposing Entrance on Upper Mountain Ave. Montclair Neighbors. August 2022. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. Through water and fire, this house has survived to be over 104 years old!

Large House on the Hillside. Montclair Neighbors. July 2022. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. A house with an amazing history of owners!

A Bow Window Looking Out Over a Pastoral Scene. Montclair Neighbors. June 2022. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. A large and tranquil backyard, Toney’s Brook, a perfect pastoral scene - what more could you ask for?

Dr. Carole Willis and Courtney Washington: A Family Legacy To Achieve Equity and Integration Through Education. Montclair Neighbors. May 2022. By Valentina Di Donato. Learn the story behind Montclair’s Magnet School System.

Simple Detailing and Restrained Palette. Montclair Neighbors. May 2022. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. A beautiful home on Union Street designed by famous Montclair architect Francis Nelson.

“Queen Anne, Georgian and Tudor: Three architectural languages of Montclair.” Montclair Local. April 29, 2022. By Darren Tobia. Why does Montclair have such iconic architecture?

Two Medal of Honor winners from the Civil War lived in Montclair. Montclair Local. March 31, 2022. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. Explore the bravery of Lt. Abram P. Haring and Maj. Henry C. Meyer.

Leslie Walker Masterpiece Behind the Boxwoods. Montclair Neighbors. April 2022. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. Dive into this stately home, built by the same architect that designed the Montclair Women’s Club on Union Street and the Unitarian Church on Church Street.

Not Necessarily a Distinct Style, But Absolutely Georgious. Montclair Neighbors. March 2022. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. This home on Stonebridge Road, sometimes described as Georgian or French Chateau, is a Montclair classic.

Montclair’s Love Affair with The Bicycle. Montclair Neighbors. March 2022. By Elaine Johnson Fiveland. As the ice and snow begins to clear from our streets and the weather begins to warm, the number of bicycles on the roads begins to rise. This phenomena isn’t new.

Art Gallery (Maybe) With A Spectacular View. Montclair Neighbors. February 2022. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. Check out this artistic house on Lloyd Road.

Oak Gables. Montclair Neighbors. January 2022. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. First a Llewellyn Road address and now an Eagle Rock Way home, this house has over one hundred and forty years of history.

Postcards from the Past. Montclair Neighbors. December 2021. By Jane Eliasof, MHC Executive Director. Explore Montclair’s past through these beautiful postcards!

Montclair’s Secret Paths and By-Ways. Montclair Neighbors. November 2021. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. Have you ever noticed these nooks and crannies of Montclair?

Travertine Mansion on Undercliff Road. Montclair Neighbors. November 2021. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. Is this the most elegant home in Montclair?

Tudor Manor House on Highland Ave. Montclair Neighbors. October 2021. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. Read about the history of this Earle-y home.

A Brief History of Rosedale Cemetery. Montclair Neighbors. October 2021. By Erin Benz, MHC Collections Manager. What stories lie beneath the ground in this local cemetery?

A Walnut Street Building Full of Memories, Even Before Trumpets (History and Heritage). Montclair Local. August 26, 2021. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. What about the other Montclair landmarks that used to be at 90-92 Walnut Street before Trumpets?

Lana Mustafa and Beth Pulawski: Planting the Seeds for a Better Tomorrow. Montclair Neighbors. September 2021. By Candice Horowitz. Located behind the Crane House & Historic YWCA, discover what projects the Montclair Community Farms have accomplished!

Casual but Substantial. Montclair Neighbors. September 2021. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. Learn how this house (and the property around it) became a family affair.

The Old Schoolhouse. Montclair Neighbors. September 2021. Contributed by Jane M. Eliasof, Executive Director, MHC. What was school like here in Montclair 200 years ago?

Have You Ever Wondered Why There's No North Orange in Essex County? TAPInto.com. August 18, 2021. By Joseph Fagan, West Orange Historian. There’s a West, South, and East Orange…but where did North go? And how is Montclair involved?

Half-Timbered House on Gates Avenue. Montclair Neighbors. August 2021. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. This stately home has had some surprising tenants.

The Summer Retreat That Gave Gordonhurst Avenue Its Name. Montclair Neighbors. August 2021. By Lisanne Renner. This short road has a long history.

Large Brick House with Leaded Casement Windows. Montclair Neighbors. July 2021. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. Check out this striking home on South Mountain Ave.

Colonial Revival Homes All Around Us in Montclair. Montclair Neighbors. June 2021. Contributed by Helen Fallon, Trustee, Montclair History Center. What is a Colonial Revival house and why is it here in Montclair?

Hidden Gem on Upper Mountain Avenue. Montclair Neighbors. June 2021. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. Less than 100 years old, but still causing people to stop and stare!

Estate in “The Woods.” Montclair Magazine. May 2021. By Cindy Schweich Handler. Take a look inside 205 Fernwood Ave. (over 120 years old!) and discover its history.

Saved by the Bells. Montclair Magazine. May 2021. By Julia Martin. During COVID-19, the bells of St. James Episcopal Church in Upper Montclair were music to people’s ears.

An iconic memorial in Edgemont Park. Montclair Local. May 31, 2021. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. Montclair lost 69 young men during World War I. As soon as the war was over the citizens of Montclair recognized their responsibility to honor them for their service. But how?

Montclair’s Love Affair with Queen Anne. Montclair Neighbors. May 2021. Contributed by Helen Fallon, Trustee, Montclair History Center. What makes Queen Anne style architecture different and how does Montclair have so many?

Redlining in Glen Ridge and Lines of Injustice. The Gaslamp. April 2021. By LoriJeane Moody. The Glen Ridge Historical Society discuss the history of redlining, government policy that hindered people of color from buying a home in certain neighborhoods, and when it occurred in Glen Ridge.

Highway Hijinks. The Gaslamp. April 2021. By Sally Meyer, Town Historian. From the Glen Ridge Historical Society newsletter, learn the history of I-280, the Essex Freeway.

Tudor Revival, a Popular Architectural Style in Montclair. Montclair Neighbors. April 2021. By Helen Fallon, Trustee, Montclair History Center. A popular style from 1890-1940, a period of exponential development in Montclair.

Italian Baroque Treasure on South Mountain Avenue. Montclair Neighbors. April 2021. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. A long history for an old house!

In the Midst of Every Crisis Lies Great Opportunity, Montclair Neighbors, March 2021. By Jane Eliasof, Executive Director of MHC. Learn how the Montclair History Center adapted their programming during COVID-19. Check out our past programs on our YouTube Channel.

Spanish Revival on Highland Avenue. Montclair Neighbors. March 2021. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. A Spanish Revival adored by one couple for 55 years.

Decoding a Cipher in Stone. Montclair Neighbors. February 2021. By Lisanne Renner. Secrets revealed on this local favorite.

French Norman on South Mountain Ave. Montclair Neighbors. February 2021. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. This nearly 130 year-old home has quite the history!

Allen B. Du Mont. Montclair Neighbors. January 2021. By Helen Fallon, Trustee, Montclair History Center. An inventor and entertainment pioneer with roots in Montclair.

Norman Cottage on South Mountain Terrace. Montclair Neighbors. January 2021. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. Check out this stately home that’s on the National Register of Historic Places.

A Glimpse into Old Montclair. Montclair Neighbors. December 2020. By Mike Farrelly, Montclair Town Historian. A 19th century jewel on Llewellyn Road.

Built to Last. Montclair Magazine. December 2020. By Cindy Schweich Handler. Times change, but the Charles Shultz house at 30 N. Mountain stays the same.

Celebrating Montclair’s Italian-American history. Montclair Local. November 9, 2020. By Gwen Orel. Discover the rich history of the Italian community right here in Montclair.

Mt. Hebron Cemetery: A Stroll Through Eternity. Montclair Neighbors. October 2020. By Helen Fallen, MHC Trustee, and Lisanne Renner, Historian, Friends of Anderson Park. Cemeteries aren’t just for the spooky season!

“Gentleman’s Residence” on North Mountain. Montclair Neighbors. October 2020. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. Learn the ins and outs of this Van Vleck Mansion.

Montclair’s Open Air School. Montclair Neighbors. September 2020. By Helen Fallen, MHC Trustee. Learn how a school was created during a time of disease.

Brick Georgian on South Mountain. Montclair Neighbors. September 2020. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. Discover the stories behind the brick façade.

Yellow Brick Palladian Palace at Park Street and Wildwood Avenue. Montclair Neighbors. August 2020. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. Learn the history behind this 20-room mansion in town.

A Brick Pattern Primer. Montclair Neighbors. August 2020. By Debra David, RA AIA, Montclair Public Library, Montclair Historic Commission and MHC. What can bricks tell us about a house?

The Circus Comes to Montclair. Montclair Neighbors. July 2020. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian. I can almost hear the carousel music now…

Rockcliff Apartment. Montclair Neighbors. June 2020. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. Hotel Montclair and now Rockcliff Apartments- this site certainly has seen some luxury!

Beauty Spots and Breathing Spaces. Montclair Neighbors. June 2020. By Lisanne Renner. Relax and breathe in the fresh air with this piece on Anderson Park.

Grace Your Garden with Historic Herbs, Montclair Neighbors, May 2020. By Helen Fallen, MHC Trustee. You’ve got your herbs from the Montclair History Center’s Annual Herb and Heirloom Vegetable Sale- now what do you do with all these plants?

House on the Sunny Side of Prospect Ave., Montclair Neighbors, May 2020. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. Check out the history of this 116-year-old house.

Stucco and Leaded Glass Charmer on Highland Ave. Montclair Neighbors. April 2020. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. There’s more to this house than its facade.

The Biggest House in Montclair? Montclair Neighbors. March 2020. By Mike Farrelly, Township Historian. Delve into the history of the Wren home on Harrison Avenue.

Two Women who Engineered Change. Montclair Neighbors. February 2020. By Jane Eliasof, Executive Director of MHC. Carleen Maley Hutchins, master luthier, and Beatrice Hicks, inventor.

“Bide-a-Wee” on Upper Mountain. Montclair Neighbors. February 2020. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. Learn the story behind this house and its curious name.

Another Stonebridge Gem. Montclair Neighbors. January 2020. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. Dive into this ca. 1930’s mansion.

Trailblazing Women Who Called Montclair Home. Montclair Neighbors. January 2020. By Jane Eliasof, Executive Director of MHC. Hear the stories behind some of Montclair’s amazing women!

Lacordaire is Turning 100! Montclair Neighbors. December 2019. By Helen Fallon, Trustee of MHC. Go back to school with this piece!

A Brick Masterpiece on Upper Mountain. Montclair Neighbors. December 2019. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. A view of the house with a view.

The Little House in the Rose Garden. Montclair Neighbors. November 2019. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. Also known as “The Anchorage,” this house was inspired by other historic houses such as “Westover” in Jamestown, VA.

The Neighborhood that Sprang from Anderson Park. Montclair Neighbors. November 2019. By Lisanne Renner. How is the Oakcroft neighborhood connected to this historic park?

1906-1933: A Time of Growth and Change in Montclair. Montclair Neighbors. October 2019. By David Fox, Trustee of MHC. Check out what the maps of Montclair can tell us.

The Castle on Edgewood Terrace. Montclair Neighbors. October 2019. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. The site of Baseball royalty.

Poggioriodente on Upper Mountain Ave. Montclair Neighbors. September 2019. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. A little bit of Italy right here in Montclair.

French Provincial #2 on South Mountain. Montclair Neighbors. August 2019. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. A dive into this 1870s house.

Interesting Elements of Mills Reservation. Montclair Neighbors. August 2019. By Helen Fallon, Trustee of MHC. A more in-depth look at the Mills Reservation.

Montclair’s Opera House. Montclair Local. July 25, 2019. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian and MHC Trustee. It’s not what you think it is.

History of Mills Reservation, Part I. Montclair Neighbors. July 2019. By Helen Fallen, MHC Trustee. You’ve hiked it, but do you know how this beautiful land with views of Manhattan escaped development?

The French Provincials on South Mountain. Montclair Neighbors. July 2019. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian and MHC Trustee. What’s the story behind the two houses that look like they belong in the French countryside rather than South Mountain Avenue?

Street Names. Montclair Neighbors. June 2019. By Helen Fallon, Trustee of MHC. Every street name has a story.

Brookwood on Stonebridge Road. Montclair Neighbors. June 2019. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian, and Andrew Wander. You’ve driven past this beautiful home, it’s time to learn about its history.

Wynnewood on Stonebridge Road. Montclair Neighbors. May 2019. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian and MHC Trustee. If you’ve been on Stonebridge, chances are good you’ve noticed this beautiful home.

Upper Mountain Avenue. Montclair Neighbors. April 2019. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian and MHC Trustee. Meet the Andersons… yes, of Anderson Park.

Milkin’ It. Montclair Neighbors. April 2019. By Jane Eliasof, with help from Debra David, Helen Fallon, Mike Farrelly, David Fox. Recalling those bygone days when Montclair was a dairyland.

The Distinguished Fernald Family. Montclair Times. March 14, 2019. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian and MHC Trustee. A less well-known but nonetheless quite accomplished family.

Cobble Court. Montclair Neighbors. March 2019. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian and MHC Trustee, with photograph by Andrew Wander. Mike digs into the historic of an iconic Tudor home on Upper Mountain Avenue..

Montclair’s Equal Suffrage League. Montclair Neighbors. March 2019. By Jane Eliasof, Director, MHC. Montclair women take the first steps toward suffrage by forming the Montclair Equal Suffrage League in 1910. The second of a two-part article commemorating the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment.

Montclair’s Equal Suffrage League. Montclair Neighbors. February 2019. By Jane Eliasof, Director, MHC. Montclair women take the first steps toward suffrage by forming the Montclair Equal Suffrage League in 1910. The first of a two-part article commemorating the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment.

Kip’s Castle. Montclair Neighbors. December 2018 and January 2019. By Robert L. Williams, Historian.

What Do you Call that Thingamabob? Montclair Neighbors. December 2018. By Debra David, RA, AIA, and MHC Trustee. A primer on the doodads and whatnots on a building.

Nobel Prize Winners from Montclair. Montclair Neighbors. November 2018. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian and MHC Trustee. Did you know two Nobel Prize winners have called Montclair home?

150 Years of Montclair Voices. Montclair Neighbors. November 2018. By Jane Eliasof, Director, MHC. A tiny sampling of the many stories we’ve heard during our oral history project.

Musings on the 1906 Atlas, Part II. Montclair Neighbors. September 2018. By Helen Fallon, MHC Trustee. What secrets can old maps share? Helen explores the 1906 in this two part series.

Musings on the 1906 Atlas, Part I. Montclair Neighbors. August 2018. By Helen Fallon, MHC Trustee. What secrets can old maps share? Helen explores the 1906 in this two part series.

A Very Short History Of Montclair’s Train Stations. Montclair Neighbors. May 2018. By Debra David, RA, AIA, and MHC Trustee. The trains made Montclair what it is today.

Montclair’s Sesquicentennial. Montclair Neighbors. May 2018. By Jane Eliasof, Director, MHC. So we’re celebrating 150 years. But what exactly happened 150 years ago?

Fellowes Folly, Montclair Neighbors. April 2018. By Mike Farrelly, Town Historian and MHC Trustee. The story of a magnificent home on S. Fullerton and Union Street that no longer exists.

Many Voices of Montclair. Montclair Neighbors. March 2018. By Jane Eliasof. Kicking off the Oral History Project, this article speaks to the important of histories beyond census date and records.

The Case of the Missing Statue. Montclair Neighbors. January 2018. By Jane Eliasof. What happened to a statue commissioned by the owner of Applegate celebrating the League of Nations?

Researching Your Home’s History. Montclair Neighbors. December 2017. By Debra David, RA AIA , Montclair Public Library, Montclair Historic Commission and MHC. Have you ever wondered about the history of your home? Learn more about the different services in Montclair that offer research.

William Brown Dickson. Montclair Neighbors. November 2017. by Mike Farrelly, Town Historian and MHC Trustee. Meet Mr. Dickson, one of Montclair’s lesser known heroes.

American Foursquares. Montclair Neighbors. September 2017. By Betsy Ceccio, Keller Williams NJ Metro Group. They are ubiquitous in Montclair and North Jersey, but what are the characteristics of an American Foursquare?

Montclair’s Lackawanna Terminal. Montclair Neighbors. August 2017. By Mark Schmitt. Director, Jersey Central Railway Historical Society. A closer look at the history of this iconic building.

Montclair’s Legacy in Bergen County, Montclair Neighbors. August 2017. By Jane Eliasof. Montclair has deep ties to Camp Glen Grey in Mahwah.

The Many Voices of a Historic House. History News. Spring 2017. Executive Director Jane Eliasof writes about how the Crane House expanded its interpretation and became the Crane House and Historic YWCA.

The Newark Pompton Turnpike, Montclair Neighbors. June 2017. Interesting info about this important thoroughfare, originally compiled by our friends at the Cedar Grove Historical Society.

Architectural Gems of Montclair. Montclair Neighbors. April 2017. Helen Fallon, Trustee of MHC. “What is your favorite historic Montclair building?”

The Only Constant is Change. December 2016. Why the Montclair Historical Society became the Montclair History Center.

The Rest of the YWCA Story, Montclair Neighbors. September 2016. By Jane Eliasof. A brief overview of Montclair’s YWCA when it was headquartered at the former home of Israel Crane.

A Tale of Two Villages, Montclair Neighbors, June 2016. By Jane Eliasof. A look at Cranetown and Speertown, the precursors to Montclair and Upper Montclair.

Fates Diverge For Homes that Touched Black History by Tammy La Gorce, New York Times

18 Best Things To do in Montclair, NJ by Vacation Idea.

How were Nurses Trained Back in the Day? Star Ledger, October 15, 2015. By Kathleen O’Brien. A look at the history of Mountainside School of Nursing.

All in the Family: Arts and Crafts, Dudley Van Antwerp and his Creative Relations. Majda Kallab Whitaker writes amount Montclair architect Dudley Van Antwerp in Nineteenth Century: Magazine of the Victorian Society in America, Vol. 36, No. 1. Spring 2016. May not be reprinted without the permission of the magazine and author.

The Urban Suburb: Progressive, cultured, integrated, Montclair is the Upper West Side of New Jersey. But nobody said enlightenment was easy.” New York. November 18, 1996. By Craig Horowitz.