Howe House Newsletter 8.25
A Night to Remember: Friends of the Howe House Hosts Sold-Out Juneteenth Cocktail Fundraiser
On Friday, June 20th, the energy at Art is Bond was electric as more than 120 guests gathered for a sold-out evening of celebration, reflection, and community. In partnership with the Montclair History Center and St. Mark’s Church, the fundraiser marked a powerful step forward in honoring Montclair’s Black history—and securing its future.
The event raised funds for a permanent commemorative marker at the James Howe House, the former home of Montclair’s first Black property owner, once enslaved and later emancipated in 1831.
In heartfelt remarks at the close of the evening, board member Nicole Gray reminded the crowd that they were raising more than just glasses—they were raising their collective voices in the fight against Black erasure. “The Howe House is more than a building. It’s a symbol of presence where presence was once denied.” she said.
We are deeply grateful to the following sponsors whose generosity helps bring the vision of Friends of the Howe House to life: AAPI NJ, Montclair Brewery, UUCM, Union Congregational Church, Montclair State University, BGill Foundation, Uniquest Inc, Ironbound Farm, Watchung Booksellers, Montclair NAACP,MBSC, CASA of Essex, Willow North PM, and YMCA of Montclair.
Juneteenth Festival Brings Joy, Culture, and Community to Nishuane Park
The celebration continued on Saturday, June 21, as Nishuane Park burst into color, rhythm, and joy for the Friends of the Howe House Juneteenth Festival. The park transformed into a lively gathering place for family fun, cultural pride, and historical reflection—marking the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth and celebrating the legacy of Black resilience in Montclair.
Friends of the Howe House was proud to unveil new merchandise at the event, including commemorative T-shirts and our signature clack fans—both of which were instant hits. We were especially thrilled to welcome so many familiar faces and meet new friends who share our commitment to preserving Black history in Montclair.
We’re deeply grateful to everyone who joined us for this unforgettable day and to Eureka Lodge #52 and Golconda Temple #24 for sponsoring this event.
Coming Soon…
Friends of the Howe House is excited to partner with Luna Stage for a one-of-a-kind interactive Howe House tour! This unique experience will blend rich history with live theater, bringing the stories of Howe House to life in an engaging and unforgettable way. Stay tuned for dates and details—you won’t want to miss it!
“X” Marks the Spot
Our preservation work at the historic Howe House continues! Most recently, we completed a ground scan to explore what hidden stories might be buried beneath the property. We’re eager to see what the results reveal and how they might add to the rich history we’re working to preserve.
A Tiny House, A Thousand Stories - Story #829
Photo credit: Adam Moss, from Flickr
Howe House and the Caldwell Tunnel that Never Was
In the early 1870s, James and Delilah Howe Jackson sold ¾ acre of their land to the Montclair Railway for $1,500. The company planned a bold route under the First Watchung Mountain—a tunnel leading to Verona and Caldwell. Tracks were graded, crews arrived, and the dream seemed certain. But financial troubles stopped work before the tunnel was ever built. Today, traces of that planned line still remain—a quiet reminder of both the Howes’ role in Montclair’s growth and a chapter of history that nearly changed the landscape.
Preserving Black History, One Family at a Time
For many Black families in the US, it is not easy to trace family history, as many enslaved people were buried in unmarked graves. Recently, a woman named Yamona Pierce was able to trace her geneology back to her great-great grandparents using Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org, which brought her to Pierce Chapel African Cemetery in Midland, GA. Once she saw the disrepair the cemetery was in, she founded the Hamilton Hood Foundation, a historical preservation project led by descendants of families buried at Pierce Chapel.
Over the past few years, the foundation has recruited volunteers to help clean up and maintain the lot, and has also partnered with other organizations to support their work and help more folks locate their ancestors.Pierce Chapel was included on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2023 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places and also received a grant a from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund to aid their restoration efforts. You can read more in this recent article from the Nationa Trust for Historic Preservation.
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