Future Looks Bright For Montclair Home Steeped In Black History

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The saga isn’t over for a home in Montclair with an important link to local Black history – but it’s future is looking pretty bright.

Earlier this month, a local grassroots group celebrated a big milestone in their effort to save the property known as the James Howe House, which is the first in the township owned by a freed slave.

“We have the keys!” Friends of the Howe House declared at a news conference on Feb. 13 in front of 369 Claremont Avenue (watch the video below).

Why is the house so significant? According to the Friends of the Howe House:

“One of the oldest structures in Montclair, dating to the Revolutionary era, this house helps tell the story of freedom and slavery, the development of a black community, and also the founding of Montclair as a town. James Howe worked as an enslaved man for Major Nathanial Crane in the early 1800s. After over a decade of servitude, Crane manumitted Howe, ending his enslavement. In his 1831 Testament and Last Will, Crane left Howe the house, $400, and approximately six acres of land. Howe used the home and the property to support his family and there is evidence to suggest that a small Black community developed around the James Howe House.”

The group continues:

“The James Howe House creates an opportunity to study and discuss the history of Montclair’s vibrant Black community, and lift up the truth of racial injustice in the 19th century and today. In many ways, the James Howe House raises more questions than it answers and only research into the social history of Montclair will answer these questions. This work is difficult and necessary because, until recently, archivists and historians have not prioritized documenting and preserving the history of Black people in the United States, including Montclair. Preserving the James Howe House keeps Howe’s story alive, and allows it to inform the work for racial justice that is immediate and ongoing.”

When the property went up for sale last year, community members – worried that it might see alterations or even face demolition – banded together to raise the money to purchase it for preservation. Read More: Effort To Buy Montclair House Steeped In Black History Continues

The group announced that it reached a deal to buy the house in December. That deal was finalized this month.

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“The hard work you and others have contributed has paid off: we finally got the keys to the Howe House this week,” an email from Friends of the Howe House to its supporters declared.

But these are just the first days of a new future for the historic property, the group added.

“As you know buying the house is just the beginning: we now have to secure its future,” the Friends of the Howe House stated. “We’ve got some important events coming up aimed at raising awareness and much-needed funds – and we’d love you to get involved.”

Some upcoming events include:

• CARNIVALE – Friends of the Howe House will take part in “Free First Thursday: Carnivale” on March 2, which will include a small market featuring Black-owned businesses and nonprofit organizations. It will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Avenue.
• ART SALE – An art exhibit and auction will be held to support the future of the James Howe House, featuring art inspired by “the journey to freedom.” It will be hosted from 5 to 8 p.m. on March 9 by the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, LLC real estate brokerage office, 695 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair.
• COMMUNITY CONVERSATION – As part of the Friends of the Howe House mission to return the James Howe House back to the community, we invite you to learn more about our work to date and help plan the future. Join us on Saturday, March 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. at 1 Pine Street (conference room) to discuss the upcoming plans for the home and its best use for the community. We are also looking for volunteers to serve on our steering committee, whose primary responsibility is to develop and execute the vision and strategic plan for the Howe House. Please feel free to complete this form even if you can't attend.

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