- Tuesday-Friday, 8:30am-4:00pm
- Public tours have been suspended during COVID-19
- For information on private tours, or small on-site and virtual programs, visit www.montclairhistory.org
- On-site and virtual programs offered
- Visitors may schedule private tours (up to 5 people) on the following subjects: Many Voices tour, Eyewitness to Black History tour, or Family tour
- During COVID-19, limited on-site programs offered. A robust schedule of virtual programs, including Thursday History at Home Zoom programs, can be found on the website
- In May, the Montclair History Center hosts an Herb and Heirloom Vegetable sale and Cheesefest
- Farm Camp offered during the summer
- In December, the houses are decorated for the holidays with period-appropriate decorations
- Visitor’s Center
- Museum Shop
- Restrooms
- Private tours during COVID - $20 for one or two guests; $25 for three guests; $30 for four guests; $35 for five guests
- Children under 2 are free but count as a guest
Montclair History Center
108 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ 07042
973-744-1796
The Montclair History Center’s Orange Road campus is a 2-acre oasis in the heart of suburban Montclair. It is home to the Crane House and Historic YWCA, built in 1796 by 21-year-old businessman Israel Crane. A mansion for its time, the house was located on 86 acres of farmland less than 1 mile from its present location. For over 100 years, it served as the Crane family home. In 1920, African American women in the community purchased the home as the headquarters for a local YWCA. It served as a significant part of the African American community for four decades. By 1965, local preservationists moved the house to Orange Road and converted it into an historic house museum. Today, it tells the inclusive stories of the three generations of Cranes, the enslaved people and immigrants who worked for them, the women and girls of the YWCA, and the early preservationists who fought to save this piece of Montclair history.
The 1818 Nathaniel Crane House serves as a visitor’s center, with a small museum shop and permanent exhibits of a 19th century general store and school room. The Clark House is the Montclair History Center’s administrative office, library and archives. The Montclair Community Farm, which grows produce for underserved communities and educates people about farming, connects visitors to their agricultural roots.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
- Explore the rich history of Montclair’s African American communities
- Check out the 19th century general store and school room at the Visitor’s Center
- Learn about Montclair’s agricultural roots at the community farm
Journey through Jersey strives to have the most up-to-date information, but always check with the site itself before planning a visit.
