Explore Montclair’s Architectural Treasures: Harvest Home Tour

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Montclair History Center. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The Montclair History Center has teamed up with the local Questers chapter to organize a tour of 10 private homes and buildings, to be held on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 11 am to 4 pm.

“Montclair is known for its beautiful and versatile architecture,” says Jane Eliasof, Executive Director of the Montclair History Center. “The houses on the tour span four centuries, from the 18th to the 21st century.”

The buildings include one of the oldest homes in Montclair, an 1890s beauty designed by Mead, McKim and White, a remarkable poured concrete house designed by Thomas Edison, a majestic mansion overlooking Manhattan, and The George, an innovative example of adaptive reuse.

“The Montclair History Center is always looking for new ways to introduce people to different parts of the community’s history,” says Eliasof. “When the newly-formed chapter of the Questers International approached us about this fundraiser, we thought it was a great idea.”

Tickets for the tour are $45 per person and can be purchased online at www.montclairhistory.org. The self-guided tours begin at the Nathaniel Crane house, at 110 Orange Road, Montclair, where ticket holders will pick up their tour programs filled with interesting facts and anecdotes about each location. They will then have five hours to visit any and all of the grand and/or historic sites on the tour. The Shultz House (Evergreens) at 30 North Mountain Avenue will be open for refreshments and bathroom facilities throughout the event.

“Being the home renovation obsessed Xennial that I am, I find myself driving around town wishing I could sneak a peek at some of the homes as I pass by,” says Daryn Sirota, a Montclair resident who is helping with the fundraiser. “I’m excited about this tour because for once I don’t have to crash open houses, I can have a look while donating to a great cause!”

All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the ongoing education and preservation efforts of the Montclair History Center.

The Questers is an international organization whose mission is to keep history alive by supporting preservation, restoration, and education. The Montclair-based chapter is relatively new. The local chapters come together to form their state/provincial Quester groups which are all part of the International Quester Organization.

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