The next round of oral histories from the 2018 oral history project are now available. In this blog post, find the oral histories of Cassandra Martin, Raffaele Marzullo, Kathleen Maher-Cocca, and Nathaniel Johnson Jr..
Cassandra Martin. Cassandra Martin, an African American woman originally from Montclair, developed a deep interest in African culture from a young age, inspired by letters from her mother’s employer’s son who was traveling in Africa. She was active in Newark’s African cultural and political movements during the 1960s and 1970s, a period she remembers for both its vibrant arts scene and the lasting impact of the riots. A pivotal moment in her youth was meeting African American model Helen Williams, which helped her embrace her height and identity. Now living in East Orange, Cassandra remains fond of Montclair and enjoys her role as a docent at the Montclair Art Museum. Read more and listen here.
Raffaele Marzullo. Raffaele Marzullo moved to Montclair from Aquilonia, Italy in 1966 as a child, joining extended family already in the area. His family became well known for running deli and restaurant businesses on Grove Street for over three decades, during which he witnessed many positive changes in the neighborhood. Deeply connected to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Raffaele has been actively involved in efforts to support and preserve it, highlighting its community programs and importance to local families. He also led a successful initiative to establish Montclair and Aquilonia as sister cities. Read more and listen here.
Kathleen Maher-Cocca. Kathleen, born in 1939, grew up in a diverse Montclair neighborhood, where she enjoyed riding bikes, playing at local playgrounds, and participating in July 4th parades. She attended Immaculate Conception School and fondly remembers neighborhood businesses. Her mother was a strong community figure, teaching Sunday School, founding a Girl Scout troop, and holding prominent roles in local politics and public service. Kathleen also shares memories of her grandfather, caretaker at the Gates Estate, and reflects on her early work as a bank teller and the subtle discrimination Irish Americans faced. Read more and listen here.
Nathaniel Johnson Jr. Nathaniel, born in 1952, moved to Montclair from East Orange as a young child and has lived near Nishuane Park ever since, a neighborhood he remembers fondly. He attended local schools such as Nishuane, Hillside, and Montclair High where he was active on the track team and threw javelin. His family moved from an apartment on High Street to their first home on Marston Place, where he was thrilled to have his own room and a dog, while his mother enjoyed hosting backyard barbecues. After college and a brief time in East Orange, Nathaniel returned to Montclair with his wife and settled into his home on Harrison Avenue. He also shares a vivid account of his harrowing experience near the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks. Read more and listen here.
In honor of the 150th anniversary of Montclair, the Montclair History Center compiled oral histories from people who grew up in Montclair and/or lived here prior to 1960. The project recorded the stories of people who grew up in Montclair in a wide variety of neighborhoods and decades, creating a multifaceted snapshot of Montclair in the early to mid 20th century.
This project was funded by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities (a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities). Interviews were conducted with the assistance of Montclair resident and Professor Dr. Christopher Matthews from Montclair State University.
These oral histories are an expression of the views, memories and opinions of the interviewee. It does not represent the policy, views, or official history of the MHC.