The next round of oral histories from the 2018 oral history project are now available. In this blog post, find the oral histories of the Monaco Sisters (Joan, Linda, and Marilyn), Anthony Naturale, Susan Spinelli Peterson, Wendy Young, and Gary Russell.
Monaco Sisters (Joan, Linda, and Marilyn). The interview features sisters Joan, Linda, and Marilyn Monaco, who reflect on their upbringing in Upper Montclair, where their family ran Descent Bicycles and lived across from Applegate Farm. They share memories of their Italian immigrant roots, life during the Great Depression and WWII, and the vibrant, diverse community they experienced while attending Montclair High School. They unanimously agree that Montclair was a wonderful and special place to grow up. Read more and listen here.
Anthony (Tony) Naturale. Tony Naturale moved to Montclair from Newark in 1936 as a young child, and his family owned Ace Cleaners on Bloomfield Avenue. As an Italian American growing up in a less diverse Upper Montclair, he shares stories of prejudice he experienced, both locally and during his time in the Navy. A retired police officer and author, Tony is a natural storyteller whose books, including You’ll Never Believe It and 75 Plus: My Life Stories, reflect his deep connection to Montclair. Read more and listen here.
Susan Spinelli Peterson. Susan Spinelli Peterson, a third-generation Montclair resident, reflects on her rich family history, including her paternal grandparents' immigration from Italy and their multi-generational home on Watchung Avenue. She shares vivid memories of growing up on Inwood Avenue, her deep ties to Grace Church, and her start in journalism at Montclair High School, a passion she continues today. With a remarkable memory, Susan recounts the town’s shops, traditions, and everyday life from trolleys and ice deliveries to party lines and local telephone exchanges. Read more and listen here.
Wendy Young. Wendy, born in 1948, offers a dual perspective on Montclair first as a child in a close-knit, integrated “Leave It to Beaver” style neighborhood, and later as a parent returning in 1975 to raise her family. Her reflections span generations, touching on her Jewish heritage, her father’s pioneering role as a physician in town, shifting social norms, the challenges of civil discourse, and her experience as a female lawyer during a time of limited protections. Though she left Montclair she remains deeply connected to the town’s spirit, noting, “no matter where you travel, you find someone who has called Montclair home.” Read more and listen here.
Gary Russell. Gray Russell, born in 1952, is a lifelong Montclair resident whose family has lived in town since the early 1900s. He recalls an active childhood spent near Brookdale Park, attending neighborhood schools before the magnet system, and becoming politically engaged in high school during the civil rights and anti-Vietnam War movements. A former sound engineer turned environmental activist, Gray values Montclair’s racial, ethnic, and economic diversity, crediting it with shaping his ability to connect with people from all walks of life in an otherwise segregated state. 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.