Official Site of The State of New Jersey

369 Claremont Avenue contributes to the Mountain Historic District in Montclair, NJ. This historic house, owned by James Howe, a formerly enslaved man who gained his freedom in 1817, is one of the oldest surviving buildings owned by an African American in New Jersey. It embodies the narratives of freedom and slavery, emphasizing the importance of homeownership and the development of African American communities in the United States. The house highlights the pivotal role of African Americans in the growth of towns like Montclair, NJ. As a monument to African American history, it serves as a center for education, community engagement, and meaningful reflection on the past, present, and future of African American experiences in New Jersey and across the nation. 

The 2025 Trust grant will help fund the creation of a Historic Structures Report, including conditions assessment, materials analysis, archaeological investigation, and landscape report to plan for the structure's restoration, ongoing maintenance and public interpretation.