Montclair Benefit Event Seeks To Preserve ‘Freed Slave House’

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A fundraising event seeks to raise money to help purchase a historic home in Montclair that once belonged to the first African American man to own property in the township.

Friends of the Howe House released the following message about why they’re spearheading the benefit event:

“James Howe was the first African American man to own property in Montclair. He was manumitted by Nathanial Crane, who then left him what became known as the ‘Freed Slave House’ in his will in 1831. James Howe, we learn from Crane’s papers, was the story teller for the Crane family - remembering and retelling the Crane family history. It is a cruel irony that now the storyteller risks the total erasure of his own history.”

The event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Montclair Brewery, 101 Walnut Street. Learn more or purchase a ticket here.

• See related article: Scramble Begins To Preserve James Howe House, Once Owned By Formerly Enslaved Man In Montclair

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