Montclair in Essex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Montclair YWCA for Black Women and Girls

Photographed by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail, April 18, 2026

1. The Montclair YWCA for Black Women and Girls Marker

Inscription.
On April 18, 2026 the New Jersey Historical Commission unveiled a marker honoring the enduring legacy of Montclair’s YWCA for Black women and girls. We were joined by Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell, Montclair History Center staff and board members, and representatives from the Montclair History Fund, Friends of the Howe House and St. Mark's United Methodist Church, both of which are also approved Black Heritage Trail sites, Mayor Dr. Renee Baskerville, and others who attended the YWCA as children and youth.

Erected 2026 by New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the New Jersey Department of State. (Marker Number 2024.A.16.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 40° 48.725′ N, 74° 13.366′ W. Marker is in Montclair, New Jersey, in Essex County. It is on Orange Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 Orange Rd, Montclair NJ 07042, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s

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North Jersey,

in Greater Newark,

and in the New York City Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hillside School War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); 40-46 Church Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); 45 Church Street Plaza (approx. ¼ mile away); First Primary School (approx. ¼ mile away); Spaulding Oak (approx. ¼ mile away); The Crane Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hampton House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Cranetown (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montclair.

Marker Unveiling Ceremony image. Click for full size.

Photographed by New Jersey Department of State, April 18, 2026

2. Marker Unveiling Ceremony

On April 18, 2026 the New Jersey Historical Commission unveiled a marker honoring the enduring legacy of Montclair’s YWCA for Black women and girls at the Montclair History Center.

The YWCA in the 1940s image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of the Montclair History Center.

3. The YWCA in the 1940s

The YWCA trained young women and gave lodging to those new to the area. image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of the Montclair History Center.

4. The YWCA trained young women and gave lodging to those new to the area.

Montclair YWCA founder Alice Hooe Foster, the first African American alumna of Montclair High School image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of the Montclair History Center.

5. Montclair YWCA founder Alice Hooe Foster, the first African American alumna of Montclair High School

The Montclair YWCA was founded at the colonial Israel Crane House in 1921. image. Click for full size.

Tlantanu, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, August 14, 2008

6. The Montclair YWCA was founded at the colonial Israel Crane House in 1921.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2026, by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail of Trenton, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 23 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on April 23, 2026, by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail of Trenton, New Jersey. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 28, 2026, by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail of Trenton, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.