From Montclair to Montechiaro: Discovering Italy in the Local Architecture, June 9, 2019, 2-5 pm at the Van Vleck House and Gardens (21 Van Vleck Street, Montclair) RSVP here.

Montclair’s transformation, from a bucolic country retreat known for its clean air and apple orchards into one of the first and finest commuter suburbs of Manhattan, is due to the arrival of the railroad in the 19th century. This allowed local captains of industry, who worked in New York City, the opportunity to live and unwind in the shadow of “First Mountain,” all within an hour’s commute of the city. Locally and nationally known architects constructed houses, commercial buildings, and churches using Italian inspired architectural elements.