Historical society serves the township

By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent

The Nutley Historical Society was formed in 1945 by a group of local citizens with a goal of collecting, preserving and diffusing historical material associated with the township and its people.

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Domenick Tibaldo, a resident of Nutley for 37 years, joined the board of the Society in July 2002 and was voted president in 2008. It was supposed to be a two-year term, Tibaldo said, adding that 15 years later, he’s still president.

“We have a great, great board,” he said, “which makes my job incredibly easy.”

The Historical Society holds events at the Nutley Museum, 65 Church St. The two-story brick structure was built as a school in 1875 after the township’s wooden schoolhouse burned down.

Originally known as the Church Street School, it was used as a school full time until 1893 and then periodically called back into use for overflow or for a time, from 1914 to 1926, as the “pre-vocational school.”

It was empty from 1926 until 1947 when the Historical Society took over and began renovation work.

Upstairs is the museum. Downstairs is a rental hall.

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“Which helps us with money to pay bills,” Tibaldo said.

Throughout the year there are many events. In the recent past, they’ve had a Veterans Day Ceremony to honor Nutley veterans; a pumpkin festival which featured pumpkin painting and face painting; and a week-long showing of the art of Carol Fortunato (1958-2022).

“She graduated from Nutley High School in 1976 and passed away of cancer August 2022,” said Tibaldo. “We honored her and had quite a turn out.”

Unfortunately, one of the successful Historical Society events that was open to the public is no longer happening.

“We used to have a Christmas party,” said Tibaldo. “Covid killed it. We’re not having it anymore.”

But more programs are coming in the spring. And the museum is open for tours if you contact them in advance. “Someone from the Board will meet them and provide a tour,” said Tibaldo. “We get school groups in spring and summer.”

Inside the museum, one can find plen- ty of fascinating Nutley history memorabilia such as a gun collection from Annie Oakley and a coin shot by Oakley during a town fair. Oakley lived in a house on Grant Avenue, which has since been demolished. She took up residence there in 1892.