Montclair History Center

09/02/2026

Founded in 1926, the Garden Club of Montclair is celebrating 100 years of service to the Montclair community through education, artistry, and connection centered around conservation, flower design and horticulture. At this History at Home we’ll be joined by Garden Club member Cynthia Corhan-Aitken for a screening of the anniversary documentary 100: A Century in Bloom created by Alex Pavljuk, Creative Media Producer at Montclair Art Museum. Hear the legacy and stories of Garden Club members as they approach the A Century in Bloom Standard Flower Show at the Van Vleck House & Gardens from September 25th to 27th.

This is a free program held on Zoom. Register online!

09/01/2026

Join us in one month for our Rosedale Cemetery Old Section Tour! Founded over 185 years ago, Rosedale Cemetery completely changed how America honored the departed. On this guided tour, we will venture into the old section of the cemetery. We will investigate historic gravestone art and share the stories of legendary locals buried beneath. On this tour hear stories of composer Lowell Mason buried with his musical partner, a pharmaceutical founder that led to Johnson & Johnson, the missionary who created the writing system still used on Japanese passports today, a Civil War captain mortally wounded one week before his company came home, a pioneering woman bacteriologist, and a man born enslaved in 1798 who bought his freedom.

Led by MHC Executive Director Angelica Diggs and Museum Coordinator Agnes Liloia.

Tour begins outside the Rosedale Chapel for a brief introduction. The tour is about 2 miles of walking.

Tickets are $20/person ($15 for members - contact our office for the code). Tickets are required in advance. Register online here: https://events.humanitix.com/rosedale-cemetery-tour-old-section-2026

08/30/2026

Join us this September 19th for Museum Tours and a Montclair Community Time Capsule Event.

The Crane House & Historic YWCA Museum reopens for guided tours this day sharing the many voices within this historic house spanning 1796 to 1965. Tours begin in the Visitor Center & Store at 12, 1 or 2 pm. 110 Orange Road.

This Saturday we are partnering with Montclair Community Time Capsule where visitors can write letters to the future and decorate envelopes that will be sealed and buried in ground at the James Howe House. Prompts and materials provided. Drop in from 12 to 3 pm.

Museum admission is free this day.

08/29/2026

It was an incredible opportunity and honor for us to be one of the co-marshals of Montclair's Independence Day parade this past July. Naturally, our staff had a lot to say and think about this event! How meaningful did it feel? Why were our organizations picked? Is it fun throwing candy off the float? Find out the answers to these question in Board of Trustee member Mark S. Porter's new blog post, available here: https://www.montclairhistory.org/new-blog/honoring-the-nj-black-heritage-trail-in-montclairs-independence-day-parade

08/27/2026

Now available for pre-order for our Heirloom Bulb Sale, its Tulipa Saxitalis! Domesticated and cultivated in the 1850s, this beautiful and showy flower is native to the rocky fields, sheer cliff sides, and rock faces of the island of Crete in Greece. Therefore, it adores lots of sun! Plant in a sunny spot and watch this great naturalizer spread. Preorders are available now on our website.

Questions? Email us at [email protected] or call us at 973-744-1796!

Shop the bulb sale online here: www.montclairhistory.org/bulb-sale

08/26/2026

What is today in ? On August 26th, 1791, former Trenton gunsmith John Fitch received one of two patents for the first steamboat. Fitch first demonstrated his proof of concept in 1787, showing a 45 foot long craft to a crowd of onlookers, investors, and Constitutional delegates. Fitch would go on to establish a steamboat line between Philadelphia, PA and Burlington, NJ that would carry livestock, goods, and people.

While Fitch received the first patent, it is Robert Fulton of New Orleans who is generally credited as the inventor of the steamboat. This is because Fulton established a bigger ferry service than Fitch, truly popularizing the steamboat as a mode of transport.

Image: John Fitch's original sketch of steamboat propulsion

08/25/2026

61 years ago today, the Crane House and Historic YWCA was moved from 159 Glenridge Avenue to its current location on Orange Road to become a museum for the community. The Van Howling movers took on the challenge and its said that the movement was so smooth and flawless that a bottle of Coke left on a windowsill didn't spill or move an inch!

Watch a clip of the live film moving in 1965 on our YouTube Channel or online here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikIo8YUowx8

Do you have memories of seeing houses move?

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

08/23/2026

Miss yesterday's food tour? Don't worry! Montclair History Center and Chow Town Food Tours are partnering once again this September to explore the lower Bloomfield Avenue neighborhood on this immersive tour showcasing a hyper-local culinary renaissance and rich history of the community. Montclair History Center will share insights and local lore along this 3 hours experience making it a tour to remember for both locals and visitors to the area.

Bloomfield Avenue is a leisurely walk up from the base of the hill to Church Street, where we will stop for Brazilian comfort food, humongous cookies, and more while meeting the restauranteurs that make this one of the most exciting restaurant scenes in the state!

Registration required with Chow Town Food Tours online at: www.chowtownfoodtours.com/montclair-food-tour. $95/person.

08/22/2026

Great morning in partnership with Township of Montclair - Government!

08/22/2026

Join us next month for an interactive tincture making workshop where participants will learn the history and process of extracting plants’ medicinal properties using alcohol, glycerin or vinegar as solvents. We will explore the Landsberger Learning Gardens at the Montclair History Center and learn about the traditional uses of the herbs growing in the garden. Participants will learn the foundations of making, preparing, storing, and using herbal tinctures. Herbs and supplies will be provided for participants to make and leave with their own tincture!

Taught by Roxana Marroquin, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Coordinator of Essex County.

$10/person supply fee. Register online here: www.montclairhistory.org/all-events/herbal-tinctures-workshop2026