Montclair Historical Society Will Reopen in October

From its years as a YWCA in the 1920s through 60s to its rejuvenation as a historical landmark to its period of dormancy, the Montclair Historical Society has been representative of the rich past of the township.

After three years of planning and rebuilding, the historical society will host a reopening ceremony Oct. 5 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at its location at 110 Orange Road in Montclair.

It took extensive research, interviews with women who helped establish to YWCA, discussions with a scholar’s advisory panel to bring into fruition this project as well as a documentary entitled “A Place to Become: Montclair Through the Eyes of Glenridge Avenue YWCA,” which premiered at the 2014 Montclair Film Festival.

“The mission of the Montclair Historical Society is to share the stories of the people who have shaped Montclair,” said Jane Eliasof, Executive Director of the Montclair Historical Society. “With this new interpretation and our new “Many Voices” tour, we have expanded the focus of the house to tell the stories that are organic to it – the stories of the extended Crane family as well as the girls and women who were part of the YWCA.“

The home was first built and occupied by Israel Crane, a well-known businessman, and his family and domestic help in 1796 until 1902. The Crane family rented the home out for another few years to other families until the YWCA purchased it in 1920.

The YWCA was a segregated space for black women and girls until its later years when it became integrated. The YWCA found that the space could no longer meet its needs and decided to tear it down in 1965. The desire to preserve the building grew and it was moved to its new location. Members of the historical society restored it to reflect the Crane’s home.

Admission is free on opening day and all are welcome to attend. Copies of “A Place to Become” DVDs will be available at the Montclair Historical Society museum shop.