Event At Montclair Women's Club: ‘Alexander Wilson's New Jersey’

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The northern New Jersey chapter of the Victorian Society in America will hold an event, “The Father of American Ornithology/Alexander Wilson's New Jersey” in Montclair on Monday, Feb. 21.

According to a news release, the event will take place at 7 p.m. at the Montclair Women's Club, 82 Union Street.

Here’s how organizers described the event:

“Rick Wright, noted author, lecturer and traveler, will speak about Alexander Wilson (1769–1813). Alexander was an impoverished Scots immigrant with a criminal past who arrived in northern New Jersey in 1801. He did not last long in Bloomfield. On his return to Philadelphia, he conceived a scheme to paint and describe every bird species in the United States. Wilson returned again and again to New Jersey in search of new specimens. He published the multi-volume American Ornithology and his illustrations of birds in poses were an inspiration for James Audubon and others. Mr. Wright has written the ABA Field Guides to Birds of New Jersey and Birds of Arizona, the Peterson Reference Guide to American Sparrows, and has coauthored Watching Birds in Montclair, Feeding Birds in Northern New Jersey and Watching Birds in the New Jersey Meadowlands.”

Parking is available behind the building and on the street. Masks are required. Individually wrapped light refreshments, coffee and tea will be served.

The program is free for members, and $10 for guests. For more information, contact christinapmayer@gmail.com or 973-886-9956.

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