The next round of oral histories from the 2018 oral history project are now available. In this blog post, find the oral histories of Ellen “Ellie” Gitelman Bagli, Grange Margaret Rutan-Haig Mahne Habermann, Donna Dale Hains, and Carolyn Lack.
Ellen “Ellie” Gitelman Bagli. Ellen “Ellie” Gitelman Bagli moved to Montclair with her family in 1959 and grew up on the diverse and lively Stephen Street. She experienced firsthand the social dynamics of the 1960s, including redlining and school desegregation, and was deeply involved in the Civil Rights and anti-war movements as a young adult. Ellie fondly remembers skating at Edgemont Pond, working her first job in Watchung Plaza, and enjoying local favorites like Pal’s Cabin and Bond’s. After living in other states, she returned to Montclair in 1986, drawn back by its diversity, vibrant culture, and the strong public schools that later educated her own daughters. Read more and listen here.
Grange Margaret Rutan-Haig Mahne Habermann. Grange “Peggy” Rutan-Haig Mahne Habermann, born in 1938, grew up on Oxford Street and Midland Avenue in Montclair, where she cherished the town’s diversity and her friendships with neighbors of various backgrounds, including Italian-American families. Grange had fond memories of Italian friends, church events, and even humorous moments like her mother learning to cook spaghetti. She enjoyed a lively youth filled with theater, singing, and even secretly acting as the Montclair High School mascot. While many women in her family became nurses, Grange pursued a more unconventional path as an author. Read more and listen here.
Donna Dale Hains. Donna Dale Hains, born in 1948 at St. Vincent’s Hospital, is part of a four-generation Montclair family with deep roots in the town. She grew up near Montclair State, attended local schools, and went on to earn a master’s degree that led to a 41-year career in guidance counseling. Donna fondly remembers a vibrant youth filled with music, theater, skating at Edgemont Pond, shopping downtown, and enjoying Montclair’s diversity. Though she’s seen the town change over the years, she remains deeply connected to its history and has no intention of ever leaving. Read more and listen here.
Carolyn Lack. Since moving to Montclair in 1955, Carolyn Lack has played a vital role in shaping the town through her work with the PTA, the League of Women Voters, and Fair Housing initiatives. She and her husband faced housing discrimination as a Jewish couple, which sparked their early activism and commitment to equity. Carolyn led efforts to integrate Montclair’s public schools during a time of racial tension and later helped reform local government to make it more fair and efficient. Now active with Aging in Montclair (AIM), she continues to advocate for the needs of the community, especially its senior citizens. 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.