Events
1964 Summer of Decision
Friends of the Howe House invite you to join us in commemorating 1964: Summer of Decision We honor events from the church led Freedom Summer that drew students to Mississippi to set up Freedom Schools to the transcendent speech of Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer at the Democratic Convention in Atlantic City, culminating in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Saturday, October 12th, 2024, we celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Fannie Lou Hamer speech.
Guest speakers include Larry Hamm, Audrey Fletcher, and poet Joanne Childs Ashe.
Performances by Brandi Massey & Beyond the Boogie Dance Troupe
Registration is Free. 1964 Summer of Decision (zeffy.com)
Lunch will be provided.
Montclair High School, George Inness Annex. (entrance on N Fullerton)
House House Art Exhibit & Sale
Friends of the Howe House presents:
ArtXploration, A Journey Through Creativity
Howe House Art Exhibit & Sale
Proceeds of this event will help us fund the preservation of the James Howe House and prepare it for public use.
Howe House Tour
As we prepare to celebrate Juneteenth, join Friends of the Howe House on June 9th for an exclusive tour of the James Howe House in Montclair, New Jersey. Get a sneak peek of Montclair’s first home owned by an African American, James Howe. Learn about the history of the Howe Family and the Howe House through the years.
Finding Our Way Home: Authors in Conversations
Join Friends of the Howe House for an intimate evening with 4 authors, whose work links the past and the present, while addressing issues of inequity and recognizing the power of safe spaces.
History at Home
James Howe was the first African American in Montclair, New Jersey to own a home. Previously enslaved to the Crane family of Montclair in the early 1800's, James was manumitted and willed $400 and 6 acres of land including the home that still stands at 369 Claremont Ave. In the summer of 2022 Friends of the Howe House was formed to save and preserve this historic home. The historians of FOHH will share how they uncovered clues that helped discover the history of the Howe family. Friends of the Howe House will also bring you up to speed on our current work in continuing to tell the untold stories of this piece of Montclair history.
This event will take place on Zoom, register here.
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill
Experience the magic of Billie Holiday's iconic last concert at Vanguard Theater's intimate 'Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill.' Join Friends of the Howe House and the Montclair African American Heritage Foundation for an unforgettable evening on Sunday, December 3rd.
Doors open at 6 PM for a soulful dinner and drinks, with the show kicking off at 7 PM. Use code HHVTC or AAVTC for an exclusive 20% discount on all tickets. Please note a $25 food and drink minimum, which includes a hearty soul food dinner with fried chicken or fish and three delectable sides: macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread. Vegetarians can add black-eyed peas and cheesy grits to the three sides.
Join us for an inspiring night of theater, music, laughter, and camaraderie. Let's celebrate Billie Holiday's legacy together in our vibrant community!" Tickets at bit.ly/ticketsVTC .
NAACP Thurgood Marshall Freedom Fund Dinner
Join the Friends of the Howe House as we are honored with the prestigious Thurgood Marshall Freedom Award given by our community partner the Montclair NAACP.
This year marks the 107th annual Thursgood Marshall Freedom Dinner & Awards Ceremony for the Montclair Chapter of the NAACP. Hosted at the Richfield Regency, this is the major fundraising event for our community partner. Your contribution not only celebrates the important work of the Friends of the Howe House but it also advances the mission of the NAACP, to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights to eliminate race-based discribimation and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. We can’t wait to see you there!
Fall Fest at Montclair History Center
Fall Fest at Montclair History Center
Join the Montclair History Center & Montclair Community Farms as we celebrate the end of the harvest season at Fall Fest! Enjoy a fun-filled day for all ages full of delicious food and fall activities all around our beautiful gardens and property. Taste food and drinks from local vendors, shop naturally sourced products from local artisans and creators, meet farm animals from around Essex County, and jam out with live music from Montclair’s own School of Rock! Bring the whole family and a picnic blanket to join friends and neighbors from across the community in supporting the first annual Fall Fest Fundraiser. Friends of the Howe House will have a table with merchandise and kid-friendly activities to share!
Montclair African-American Heritage Foundation Summer Party
Montclair African-American Heritage Foundation All White Summer Cocktail Party & Fundraiser
The MLK I Have a Dream Festival (past event)
Come celebrate the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington with us at the "I Have a Dream Festival!" Montclair students will recite the speech and we will beautify the MLK sculpture grounds. There will be speakers, a dance-along with Beyond the Boogie, and arts & crafts. Bagels and pizza, snacks and water will be provided. Please let us know you're coming! info@friendsofthehowehouse.org
Montclair’s Annual Juneteenth Festival (past event)
Join us for Montclair's Annual Juneteenth event. This year, local nonprofits have come together to create an even more exciting celebration. On Saturday, June 24th, we invite you to be part of this special occasion. Enjoy free admission, live DJ music, vendors, food trucks, and even a bouncy house!
Dionne Ford Juneteenth Book Talk (past event)
Montclair resident, FOHH Board Member & author of “Go Back and Get it: A Memoir of Race, Inheritance, and Intergenerational Healing” will share her journey of finding stories of her enslaved ancestors and her own unexpected healing.
FOHH to Receive Montclair Race Amity Award (past event)
Join us to celebrate Montclair Race Amity Day at the Montclair History Museum. We are honored to be recognized to receive the first-ever Montclair Race Amity Award!
Montclair Pride 2023 (past event)
🌈 Come join Friends of the Howe House at the Montclair Pride Festival on Bloomfield Ave between Park and Midland Streets!
Silent Disco Block Party (Past Event)
DANCE. EAT. DRINK. Rinse and repeat. Support the James Howe House, while dancing the night away in the streets of Montclair, NJ.
AAPI Lantern Festival (Past Event)
Join the Friends of the Howe House as we stand in solidarity with our partners at AAPI Montclair.
Interfaith Music Festival
The last Interfaith Music Festival was in February 2020, just a month before the world went into lockdown. After a long break, congregations of all different traditions throughout Montclair are excited to come together again! All proceeds from this event will benefit the Friends of the Howe House. The overall purpose of this gathering is to build community through our shared love of music and worship.
Luna Stage Production: "The Ground of Which We Stand"
“The Ground on Which We Stand” is a multi-writer, site-specific performance exploring the history and impact of the James Howe House, from 1780 to the present. Honoring James Howe by telling the story of people who faced enslavement, while continually striving, moving towards freedom and prosperity.
YWCA Northern New Jersey Racial Justice Awards (Past Event)
We are proud to announce that Friends of the Howe-House are being honored at the YWCA Northern New Jersey 2023 Racial Justice Awards. This annual event is an opportunity for us to be recognized for our commitment to eliminating racism and helping create a more inclusive world. Won’t you join us alongside other community leaders and organizations that also believe in freedom and dignity for all.
Community Conversation #2 (Past Event)
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. 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.
Order a Special Mother's Day Bouquet to Support the Howe House!
Order your Mother’s Day flowers and support the Howe House at the same time!
Community Conversation #1 (Past Event)
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. 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.
Freedom Is A Journey Art Sale (Past Event)
Art exhibit and auction to support the future of the James Howe House, featuring art inspired by the journey to freedom. Hosted by the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, LLC real estate brokerage office, 695 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair. #HoweHouseMatters
Carnivale at Montclair Art Museum (Past Event)
Friends of the Howe House will take part in “Free First Thursday: Carnivale” on March 2, 2023, which will include a small market featuring Black owned businesses and non profit organizations.