Montclair Historical Society http://montclairhistorical.org Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 LEGO Registration starts today – February 21 at the Montclair Art Museum http://montclairhistorical.org/2012/02/21/lego-registration-starts-today-february-21-at-the-montclair-art-museum/ http://montclairhistorical.org/2012/02/21/lego-registration-starts-today-february-21-at-the-montclair-art-museum/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:00:00 +0000 Montclair Historical Society http://montclairhistorical.org/?p=785 You must register IN-PERSON – no phone registrations — at The Store at MAM.  Montclair Art Museum Store hours Tuesday – Sundays, 10 to 5 pm.  There will be two sessions on Sunday, March 11, from 2 to 4 pm and 5-7 pm.  $35 per family (advanced registration is required!) See our events listing for more information.

]]> http://montclairhistorical.org/2012/02/21/lego-registration-starts-today-february-21-at-the-montclair-art-museum/feed/ 0 A Tribute to Jack Chance: The End of An Era http://montclairhistorical.org/2012/01/18/a-tribute-to-jack-chance-the-end-of-an-era/ http://montclairhistorical.org/2012/01/18/a-tribute-to-jack-chance-the-end-of-an-era/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:36:42 +0000 Montclair Historical Society http://montclairhistorical.org/?p=775 John E. “Jack” Chance, 90, passed away in December.  With his passing, the Montclair Historical Society marks the end of an era.

Back in 1965, Jack Chance was one of a group of concerned citizens who worked tirelessly to rescue the Israel Crane House from demolition, move it to its present location on Orange Road, and restore it as an historic house museum. He was the sole surviving member of that dedicated group that moved mountains to move an historic house.

His commitment to the Montclair Historical Society lasted a lifetime.  He served several terms on the Board of Trustees, became our fourth President, led many trips, and wrote the monthly newsletter for 17 years.

He was also involved in other organizations dedicated to local history and preservation.  Over the years, he served on Montclair’s committee for the New Jersey Tercentenary, and was active in the North Jersey Highlands Historical Society, the Canal Society of New Jersey, and the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey.  He served on the New Jersey Council for the Humanities and received an award from the New Jersey Historical Commission in 1984.

According to his full obituary in the Montclair Times, a memorial service will be held on February 25 at Union Congregational Church, 176 Cooper Ave, Montclair, at 2:30 p.m.  Memorial gifts may be made to the Montclair Historical Society, 108 Orange Road, Montclair NJ 07042 or the North Jersey Highlands Historical Society, PO Box 248, Ringwood NJ 07456.

On behalf of the thousands of people who have visited the Israel Crane in the last 47 years and all of Montclair’s history community:  Thank you, Jack Chance.

 

]]> http://montclairhistorical.org/2012/01/18/a-tribute-to-jack-chance-the-end-of-an-era/feed/ 0 Artist’s daughter speaks at St. James http://montclairhistorical.org/2012/01/16/artists-daughter-speaks-at-st-james/ http://montclairhistorical.org/2012/01/16/artists-daughter-speaks-at-st-james/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:51:15 +0000 Montclair Historical Society http://montclairhistorical.org/?p=766
At the altar of St. James’ Church, a painting depicts the Biblical scene of Jesus calling the fishermen James and John.  The painting is one of the creations of Hildreth Meière (1892-1961), an influential and creative artist of the 20th century, and one of just a few women whose achievements gained the recognition of the art establishment in the early 20th century.

Hildreth Meière’s daughter, Louise Meière Dunn, will present an illustrated lecture of the history of her mother’s art, including the creation of the St. James’ altarpiece, on Sunday, January 29th at 3 pm followed by a reception in the St. James’ Parish Hall.  All are welcome to the event, which will take place at St. James’ Church, 581 Valley Road, Upper Montclair.

]]> http://montclairhistorical.org/2012/01/16/artists-daughter-speaks-at-st-james/feed/ 0 Opportunity to Obtain Unique Architectural Pieces from Mid 19th Century Home http://montclairhistorical.org/2012/01/10/opportunity-to-obtain-unique-architectural-pieces-from-mid-19th-century-home/ http://montclairhistorical.org/2012/01/10/opportunity-to-obtain-unique-architectural-pieces-from-mid-19th-century-home/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:18:39 +0000 Montclair Historical Society http://montclairhistorical.org/?p=754 Unfortunately, the Newark Museum and the City of Newark has to demolish the Polhemus House in Washington Street this winter due to instability of the structure. They are offering architectural elements as salvage to individuals and groups who can use them.  However, you have to follow appropriate procedures and make your request, in writing, before January 23 to Peggy Dougherty (pdougherty@newarkmuseum.org).

The Polhemus House was built in 1859 and served as the manse for the North Reformed Church. It may have served as a stop on the Underground Railroad as well.

Click on the files below for an inventory of the interior and exterior elements that are available.

Salvage Process & Inventory

PH Exterior _Salvage

 

]]> http://montclairhistorical.org/2012/01/10/opportunity-to-obtain-unique-architectural-pieces-from-mid-19th-century-home/feed/ 0 Visiting Us this Winter http://montclairhistorical.org/2012/01/06/visiting-us-this-winter/ http://montclairhistorical.org/2012/01/06/visiting-us-this-winter/#comments Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:27:51 +0000 Montclair Historical Society http://montclairhistorical.org/?p=751 Want to visit us this winter?  Here’s the scoop:

During January and February:  Although we do not have regularly scheduled public tours on Sunday, we are happy to arrange individual and public tours to view the Israel Crane House and Nathaniel Crane Houses by appointment. Please call 973-744-1796 or send a note to mail@montclairhistorical.org. The Charles Shultz House is closed until April. During March: The Israel Crane and Nathaniel Crane Houses will be open the first Sunday of March from 1 to 3 pm, every Thursday in March from 9:30 to 12 noon, and by appointment at other times during the month.  

]]> http://montclairhistorical.org/2012/01/06/visiting-us-this-winter/feed/ 0 Bidding Adieu to FIAF http://montclairhistorical.org/2012/01/05/bidding-adieu-to-fiaf/ http://montclairhistorical.org/2012/01/05/bidding-adieu-to-fiaf/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:16:14 +0000 Montclair Historical Society http://montclairhistorical.org/?p=697 It is with a mixture of sadness and pleasure that we announce that the French Institute, which shared our space in the Clark House for the last several years, moved to new quarters at the end of December. We’re sad because we will miss them and the lilting sounds of the French language that drifted through our halls, but pleased because they have moved so they can continue to build on the growth they have experienced at the Montclair Historical Society. Their new location gives them dedicated classrooms and meeting space to expand their programs to an even wider community.  Check www.fiaf.org

FIAF logo

for more information. Interestingly, they have found another historic  location as their new home –  The Carriage House of the Georgian Inn, 37 North Mountain Avenue, Montclair. This beautiful structure was built in the 1890s and is a classic example of Georgian Revival architecture.  We love a great example of adaptive reuse! Bonne chance, mes amis!

]]> http://montclairhistorical.org/2012/01/05/bidding-adieu-to-fiaf/feed/ 0 Closed for the Holidays http://montclairhistorical.org/2011/12/26/closed-for-the-holidays/ http://montclairhistorical.org/2011/12/26/closed-for-the-holidays/#comments Mon, 26 Dec 2011 12:37:38 +0000 Montclair Historical Society http://montclairhistorical.org/?p=694 The offices of the Montclair Historical Society will be closed until January 3 for the holidays. Our best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a great New Year!

]]> http://montclairhistorical.org/2011/12/26/closed-for-the-holidays/feed/ 0 A New Field Trip for Preschoolers http://montclairhistorical.org/2011/12/20/a-new-field-trip-for-preschoolers/ http://montclairhistorical.org/2011/12/20/a-new-field-trip-for-preschoolers/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:07:16 +0000 Montclair Historical Society http://montclairhistorical.org/?p=689 We’re pleased to introduce a new program specifically designed for the youngest school students — preschoolers!  This 1-hour program introduces children to history in an age-appropriate way.  We begin with a story about life in the late 18th century and the house they are about to see.  Then, using a modified “I Spy with My Little Eye” game to introduce them to some of the artifacts throughout the Israel Crane House.  The visit concludes in the exterior kitchen where the children learn about the chores children performed and how people cooked over an open fire. Because your group is the only group at the museum at the time, we can tailor the program to meet your needs and your students’ abilities.  Admission is $5 per child.   Please call 973-744-1796 for more information or send a note to mail@montclairhistorical.org to let us know you are interested.

]]> http://montclairhistorical.org/2011/12/20/a-new-field-trip-for-preschoolers/feed/ 0 Thank you, Essex County! http://montclairhistorical.org/2011/12/14/thank-you-essex-county/ http://montclairhistorical.org/2011/12/14/thank-you-essex-county/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:04:58 +0000 Montclair Historical Society http://montclairhistorical.org/?p=685 We’d like to thank the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs for organizing the Essex County Historic Holiday House Tour this past weekend.  What a great time we had sharing our decorated houses with many, many visitors, some of whom had been here before, but many who were seeing the Israel Crane, Nathaniel Crane, and Charles Shultz House (Evergreens) for the first time.

Remember, the houses are only open and decorated until this Sunday, December 18. Our Orange Road location (Israel Crane House and Nathaniel Crane House) are open from 1 to 3; a tour of the Charles Shultz House, accompanied by caroling by the Verona High School Jazz Choir, takes place at 3:30.

 

 

]]> http://montclairhistorical.org/2011/12/14/thank-you-essex-county/feed/ 0 The Holidays and History http://montclairhistorical.org/2011/12/01/the-holidays-and-history/ http://montclairhistorical.org/2011/12/01/the-holidays-and-history/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:24:08 +0000 Montclair Historical Society http://montclairhistorical.org/?p=675 Amid all the hustle and bustle, consider making time for tea at Kip’s Castle and a stroll through the Ballantine House (part of the Newark Museum) to experience the holidays with a historical twist.

The Kip’s Castle Park Conservancy is hosting an “Afternoon Tea at Kip’s Castle” on Sunday, December 18 from 2 to 3 pm, 22 Crestmont Road, Verona. Due to the tremendous response, they have announced a second seating at 4 pm! You’ll return to the elegance of a Victorian Christmas at this formal tea, served on white linen and china with an assortment of scones and jam, tea sandwiches, cakes, mini quiches, and petit fours.  Reservations are required and space is limited.  Adults are $30; Children under 12 are $15.  Call 973-239-1390 or email mich1p@aol.com to reserve your table. (And then come to hear the Verona Jazz Choir caroling at the Charles Shultz House at 3:30!)

Part of the Newark Museum, the 1885 Ballantine House offers visitors a taste of how Christmas was celebrated in late Victorian Newark.  This historically-accurate interpretation shows how the different traditions of the people living in the area — the Dutch, the English, the German — were merging into the Christmas traditions that we know today.  The exhibit runs through January 8, 2012.  Please check their website for hours and admission prices.

 

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