Howe House Newsletter January 2026
A Letter from the President
As we look back on 2025, we are filled with gratitude and pride for all that Friends of the Howe House has accomplished alongside our community. This year marked an exciting period of growth and visibility—from meaningful collaborations with Luna Stage, to our very first Juneteenth cocktail fundraiser and inaugural Juneteenth Festival, which brought together neighbors, artists, and storytellers in celebration of Black history and culture. We were honored by our acceptance into the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail, received new grants that will fuel future programming, and physically uncovered more of the Howe House’s story by breaking through walls and revealing the original fireplace—an incredibly powerful reminder that history is often hidden just beneath the surface. We also deepened our local connections through participation in Chow Town Food Tours and by partnering with Charles H. Bullock School to bring Ruby Bridges Day to Montclair’s students.
These local milestones unfolded during a year when conversations about Black history, representation, and excellence continued to take center stage across New Jersey and the nation—through expanded cultural preservation efforts, renewed focus on inclusive education, and the continued elevation of Black voices in the arts, civic life, and community leadership. In that broader context, our work at the Howe House feels both timely and essential. As we move forward, we do so with hope and purpose, committed to bringing even more programming that highlights our shared histories, fosters understanding, and connects past struggles and triumphs to the future we are building together. By learning from where we’ve been, we aim to help guide where we’re going—together.
Next month, as we take part in the annual celebration of Black history, we are also reminded—during the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Indpendence—that we are all connected through these shared histories and the stories that bind us together.
Declaration to Dream
Join Friends of the Howe House on February 7th at the Montclair Public Library for From Declaration to a Dream, an engaging, all-ages event marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and its role as a foundation for the U.S. Constitution.
The program features a Declaration of Independence sound experience, a collaborative Freedom Collage, and a Kids Activity Center exploring the Declaration and the Constitution—inviting the community to reflect on our shared history and the ongoing pursuit of freedom.
History at Home: The Howe House
The Montclair History Center invites you to a special History at Home program focused on the Howe House. Hear directly from Howe House historians as they share the ongoing work of preserving this significant site and uncovering the stories held within its walls. This virtual conversation will explore the why behind historic preservation — why these places matter, how the past informs our present, and why both historic and contemporary histories are worth discovering, questioning, and preserving. Together, we’ll reflect on how engaging with history helps us better understand our community today and shape the future we build. Register HERE
Save the Date!
Friends of the Howe House is bringing back our Juneteenth Cocktail Fundraiser for a second year! Mark your calendar for June 19, 2026 and get ready for an evening of community, culture, and celebration. More details coming soon — you won’t want to miss this one!
A Tiny House, A Thousand Stories - Story #223
The Purchase of Howe House
On February 2, 2023, Friends of the Howe House reached a defining milestone by officially purchasing the James Howe House. What began as a shared vision became a lasting commitment — transforming our role from advocates to stewards of this historic home.
Ownership affirmed our responsibility not only to preserve the past, but to use it with purpose. The Howe House holds layered histories that help us better understand the present and guide the future we are working to build. By protecting this space, we ensure that its stories continue to inform dialogue, learning, and community action.
February 2, 2023 stands as a turning point — one rooted in history and forward-looking in intent. The Howe House remains a place where the past is actively engaged to shape a more informed and connected future.
