Here’s the “Scoop”

The Nutley Museum, 65 Church Street, will be open for FREE tours of its renovated collections on Thursday, June 5, 2025

From, 6 PM to 8 PM

After the tour enjoy an ice cream treat courtesy of The Nutley Historical Society

Friends & Families Welcome  -  Free Admission

“A Walk in the Park” is an annual historic tour traditionally held on Memorial Day Weekend sponsored by the Nutley Historical Society, will be held on Sunday, May 25.

The tour, led by Nutley Museum director John Simko, the tour begins at 9 a.m. at the Mud Hole (near the intersection of Passaic and Vreeland Avenues) and travels along the Third River.

Simko will talk about the Yantacaw River’s role in Nutley history as a source for early industry, as inspiration for world-class artists, as a symbol of civic pride, as an important boundary marker, and as a fitting memorial to our war veterans.

Visit the sites of three former mills, see the pre-Revolutionary War Van Giesen homestead, find out why the Yantacaw, or Third, River splits in two, learn about the beginnings of our hundred-year-old Carnegie Library and even older Town Hall, and walk through one of Nutley’s oldest cemeteries.

“A Walk in the Park” ends at approximately 10:30 a.m., inside Nutley’s first brick schoolhouse (now the Nutley Historical Society and Museum).

The tour is free but is limited to a dozen people and requires registration.

Register for the tour by emailing johnsimko1014@gmail.com or by calling 973-752-8984 and leaving a message and your phone number or e-mail address. You will receive confirmation via e-mail or a phone call.

The Nutley Historical Society hopes you’ll join us for this fascinating walk through a beautiful setting while learning about Nutley history.

80th Anniversary 1945-2025

In 1945, a group of local citizens established the Nutley Historical Society to collect, preserve and diffuse historical material associated with the history and genealogy of the people and Township of Nutley.

The Nutley Historical Society will host “An Evening with Gary Erbe” on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. at the Nutley Museum, 65 Church Street. The event will feature an interview with the internationally acclaimed artist and Enclosure resident, reflecting on his distinguished art career and discussing the directions of his current artwork.

Born in 1944 in Union City, New Jersey, Erbe worked as an engraver from 1965 to-1970 to support his family. He painted at nights and weekends to develop his skills. In 1967, Erbe discovered Trompe l’oeil painting and its masters. It was then that he recognized his particular place in the art field. In 1969, Erbe conceived a way of creating paintings that would be more contemporary and a departure from the 19th century Trompe l’oeil masters.
In 1970, Erbe decided to pursue his art full time and began to actively exhibit his work. He moved to Nutley about 15 years ago, taking up residence in The Enclosure, which over the years became a famous colony for many noteworthy American artists.
Erbe has had solo exhibitions at museums and galleries throughout America, Asia and Europe. He has garnered many awards and honors over the years including six Gold Medals at The Allied Artists of America, Inc. annual exhibitions, held at The National Arts Club, New York. He also received the Medal for Lifetime Achievement in American Art from The Butler Institute of American Art, Ohio, and the Salmagundi Club Medal of Honor, New York.
Michael Gabriele, a member of the Nutley Historical Society’s executive board and the executive board of Allied Artists of America, will interview Erbe and present examples of his artwork.
The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

One of only three female NFL officials, DeLorenzo outlined her road to success

Nutley native and NFL Line Judge Robin DeLorenzo at the Nutley Museum on June 19, 2024. The Nutley High School graduate recalled her life lessons learned through sports from coaches and teachers through her years in the Nutley school system.  

Robin DeLorenzo's father, Coach Rich DeLorenzo (center), supported her love of football and invited her to enroll in his class for referees. After passing the officiating test in his class, she joined her father’s crew on the gridiron and spent 11 years officiating at the high school level before advancing through the ranks in college football.

Notably, she officiated high-profile games such as the 2021 Ohio State vs. Michigan matchup and the Fiesta Bowl featuring Oklahoma State and Notre Dame. The next step was as a Line Judge in the National Football League.

The Nutley Historic Preservation Committee hosted the first in a series of public presentations as part of its Historic Home Series of Nutley.

Co-sponsored by the Nutley Historical Society, the series leads off at the Nutley Museum on Nov. 2, 2023.

This first presenters were given by NHPC members, Luke Michels and Dante Intindola, both life-long residents of the town.

Their presentation will include an overview of the Nutley architect, William A. Lambert with a discussion of Lambert homes, its impact on the town’s development and other notable architectural styles of Nutley. 

 “Nutley homeowners often ask the question, Is my house a Lambert house?” said Jim Levendusky, chairman of the Committee. “This presentation will help answer that question and will also show how influential Lambert was in Nutley’s transition from rural town to metro suburb,” continued Levendusky.

Nutley Museum exhibits were open for viewing prior to the event.

About the Nutley Historic Preservation Committee

The Nutley Historic Preservation Committee, through the Township’s Historic Preservation Ordinance, helps protect historic sites and structures and educate the public on Nutley’s place in history. Its members are appointed by the mayor and meets on the third Thursday of each month at town hall. 

New Book by Michael Gabriele

Taverns were an important part of the colonial landscape and served as community hubs in villages throughout the state. New Jersey was the “Crossroads of the American Revolution” and as battles raged, colonial taverns formed the social network that held the state together.

The Nutley Historical Society will host New Jersey author Michael Gabriele for a program on his newest book: “Colonial Taverns of New Jersey – Libations, Liberty and Revolution,” published by The History Press. The book-launch event will be held on Friday, May 12, 7-9 p.m. at the Nutley Museum, 65 Church Street, Nutley. The program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served, and books will be available for sale (cash only).

Taverns were an important part of the colonial landscape and served as community hubs in villages throughout the state. New Jersey was the “Crossroads of the American Revolution” and as battles raged, colonial taverns formed the social network that held the state together.

Taverns were the stage for the unfolding drama of a colony transitioning into statehood and making decisions about declaring a war of independence. New Jersey’s General Assembly, meeting in September 1777 at a tavern in Haddonfield, passed legislation that declared New Jersey to be “a state, not a colony,” in effect, joining the call for revolution and a break from British rule.

Due to the demand for carriage travel between New York and Philadelphia, New Jersey had myriad taverns, which were located along well-traveled routes and near ferry boat slips. The early colonial roadways were used by soldiers, merchants, farmers, dignitaries and citizens, with taverns serving as hospitality stops, providing food, drink, overnight accommodations and services for stagecoach drivers and their horses. George Washington frequently used taverns as temporary headquarters during the Revolutionary War, where he drafted his many letters and planned strategy with his generals.

Rum, beer and alcoholic apple cider were the beverages of choice at village taverns in the 18th century. During the 1600s and 1700s, taverns housed the daily experiences of people during the colonial era, and their stories provide a window into the state’s history from that period. Taverns were the “seedbeds” for the revolution, strongholds for political activities, beacons for travelers, and venues for entertainment, merriment, treachery, and libations. Once the war began, taverns became recruitment stations for colonial militias and meeting places for local committees of safety.

The book focuses on activities associated with taverns in Haddonfield, Bordentown, Burlington, Princeton, Piscataway, New Brunswick, Trenton, Newark, Morristown and all points in between. It spotlights the lives of New Jersey’s little-known colonial era/Revolutionary War luminaries such as Elizabeth Haddon, Jacob Hyer, Christopher Ludwick, Cyrus Bustell, Timothy Matlack, John Dickinson, Ann Risley, John Neilson, John Woolman and Henry Lyon. The book also provide insights into the New Jersey experiences of iconic Revolutionary War figures such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine and Alexander Hamilton.

Each day in the Garden State, we literally walk along the Crossroads of the American Revolution in the footprints of our forbearers—a legacy that lies just below the surface of our everyday lives. The ghosts that linger on these byways sustain our state’s collective heritage. Individual sketches of people, places and events presented in the book are illuminating, but when assembled as a whole from numerous sources, a more complete, colorful mosaic emerges—a grassroots saga of New Jersey’s Revolutionary spirit and colonial life. This mosaic, this saga is the foundation of our state’s living history.

Keynote Speaker

Jennifer Dowling Norato, who served as the peer editor for Gabriele’s book, will be the keynote speaker at the May 12 reception. Norato is a former chapter regent and current member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR); the New Jersey chapter president of the Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society; a published author; and a teacher in the Emerson public school district. She is a graduate of Ramapo College and earned a master’s degree in history and social sciences from Montclair State University.

About the Author

This is Michael C. Gabriele’s fifth book on New Jersey history, all published by Arcadia Publishing/The History Press. His previous books are, in chronological order: The Golden Age of Bicycle Racing in New Jersey (2011), The History of Diners in New Jersey (2013), New Jersey Folk Revival Music: History and Tradition (2016) and Stories from New Jersey Diners: Monuments to Community (2019).

A lifelong Garden State resident and a former Nutley Sun editor, he is a 1975 graduate of Montclair State University and has worked as a journalist, freelance writer, and author for more than forty years. Gabriele is a member of the board of trustees for the New Jersey Folk Festival at Rutgers University and a member of the executive boards for the Allied Artists of America, New York; the Nutley Historical Society; and the Theater League of Clifton, and he serves on the advisory board of the Clifton Arts Center.

Orphan lived in state homes, at 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Army

NUTLEY NJ -- A short documentary highlighting Sgt. Walter Bray's experience as a prisoner of war during the Korean war was shown at in the Nutley Museum, 65 Church Street Friday, May 27, 2022.

Walter Bray grew up in the 1930's. He was an orphan and lived in state homes until he turned 17 years old and enlisted in the U.S. Army.

While awaiting his separation papers at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, he and his company were told to fall out with their barracks bag and were put on a ship to Korea. 

Sgt. Bray was part of a 250 men first company mortar team when they were attacked and captured. Only 27 men of the 250 survived. He had been shot in the leg and thanks to a Father Kopec who begged the doctors not to amputate, Bray recovered from the injury.

During his time as a POW, soldiers continued to die, and Bray would steal one of their dog tags and bury it. When the war was over, Bray dug out all the dog tags he had buried so that the families of the fallen knew what happened to their sons. Walter Bray was an originator of a local Old Guard chapter and initiated over 200 men before his death.

If you would be interested in seeing this documentary, please feel free to join us and while you are there, take a tour of our museum collection as well.

Walter E. Bray Jr. (May 6,1930 to April 29, 1998), was raised in Hackensack, and according to the 1940 Census, his mother was the head of the household. He was the youngest child and had three sisters and one brother. He lived in Lodi with his wife Lillian and two children. He is interred at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus.

On behalf of the Nutley Historical Society board members, to all those who have served or continue to serve our country, THANK YOU.

Pfc. Nicholas S. Pucci was killed in action in Pusan, Korea, on Sept. 6, 1950. Pfc. Joseph DiNardo was declared missing in action since Dec. 2, 1950. Pfc. Reed A. Smith died while in service on Feb. 15, 1951. Pfc. John F. Van Der Linde was killed in action in Korea on March 15, 1951. Corp. Alex. MacMillan was killed in action in Korea on March 22, 1951. Pfc. William Nolze was "presumed dead" after being MIA since April 1951. Pfc. John R. Gorman was killed in action in Korea on May 18, 1951. Richard Arthur Miller was killed in service in July 1951. S/Sgt. John McConnell died while in service on Oct. 9, 1951. 1st Lt. Bernard Hafkin was killed in action in Korea, on Oct. 19, 1951. Robert G. Bliss died while in service on Feb. 4, 1953.

The Nutley Community Preservation Partnership, The Nutley Historical Society, and The Nutley Historic Preservation Committee celebrated the positive effects on Nutley by by real estate developer and architect William A. Lambert on May 1, 2022.

Activities began at the Nutley Historical Society, 65 Church Street. Nutley Museum displayed items related to William Lambert.

Nutley Township Historian John Demmer gave a brief talk about William A. Lambert and his impact on the development of Nutley.

The action shifted to Lambert Square-at the intersection of Franklin Avenue & High Street for the actual Lambert Square dedication ceremony and the unveiling of two Lambert plaques.

Suzanne Beadle - Past President

Nutley Community Preservation Partnership

William A. Lambert

In 1870, railroad service came to Nutley with three stations located within the town’s borders: Franklin Avenue station on High Street, Nutley station on Highfield Lane and Walnut Street station on Walnut Street. With the advent of the railroad to towns surrounding New York, came a need for a true suburban home for commuters. William Lambert, president of the Nutley Realty and a noted architect and author of Lambert’s Suburban Architecture, met this need.

Lambert is credited with giving Nutley much of its unique character. Lambert’s style, beauty, originality and reasonable cost met this need as exemplified by the 500-plus homes he built in sections of town known as Prospect Heights, Nutley Park and Nutley Heights. Lambert was very active in marketing his developments and many promotional materials survive providing a wealth of detail.

Other structures included St. Paul’s Congregational Church, Nutley Post Office (now Starbucks) and High Street railroad station (now demolished).

As the mills and quarries fade away as the town’s major industries, these homes enabled Franklin/Nutley to become a haven for New York commuters, and a new spirit of camaraderie was born.

Lambert was key in shaping the present layout of many neighborhoods in Nutley Township and much of the town’s character including the establishment of the memorial park that runs the length of the town.

Lambert Square at High Street and Franklin Avenue is named in his honor. It stands near the site of his office where he greeted visitor arriving by train to spend a day house-shopping in our town.

Based on the memories of Agnes Joan Negra

NUTLEY NJ -- Ron Negra, Nutley native and author, discussed his book “Waves of Hope, based on the memories of Agness Joan Negra” at the Nutley Museum on March 16, 2022.

“Waves of Hope” tells the remarkable story of the author’s mother, an inspiring young woman named Agnes Joan (Verdi) Negra and heroic acts of kindness she performed during World War II.

Imagine a time back in 1944 when she sat at her shortwave radio in Nutley night after night, listening to broadcasts in which our German enemies read the names of American soldiers they had captured and were holding as prisoners of war in Europe. This was personal for her. As a young bride and mother – her husband August had been wounded at the Battle of the Bulge and was missing in action.

Yet Ms. Negra did more than listen for news of her husband. She began to write down the names of the American soldiers whose names she heard on the air. She then personally wrote to the families of each of those soldiers. Often, her letters were the first indications that families received that their soldiers were alive.

That is the remarkable story of “Waves of Hope.” Yet the book is much more than a written history. It contains copies of the letters that Ms. Negra received from the families she had written to. The result is an astonishing and deeply moving story of kindness and hope.

And if you are wondering, Agnes and her GI husband were reunited after the war. This story of love, family, kindness and more will inspire you.

Ronald Edward Negra, a Nutley, NJ native, was born on November 9, 1947. He enjoys writing about genealogy and wrote his first book in 2004 titled, “The History of the Verdi Family…Celebrating 100 Years in America.” Ron also completed a book on the Negra Family History and on the life of his father, August E. Negra.

Nutley woman sent ‘Waves of Hope’ across the country during WWII Essex News Daily

Nutley Artist Billy Lopa Unveils New Painting

Nutley, NJ-based artist Billy Lopa unveiled his painting, The Rising of the American Spirit, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 911, at the Nutley Historical Society on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021.

Lopa donated this painting to the Nutley Historical Society where it will proudly hang in the Nutley Museum along with the paintings of other great Nutley artists dating back to the late 1800s and The Enclosure Artists' Colony.

This artwork honors our heroes and first responders along with everyone affected by this tragedy. Lopa said he hopes his painting brings back the oneness of our nation after the tragedy and how we all worked together.

Lopa has put brush to canvas to create vivid imagery of sports figures, Hollywood stars, and superheroes and villains. The renowned artist said his talent has brought him to many special places including Super Bowls and meeting great athletes such as Muhammad Ali. Lopa said he is humbled by the doors his art has opened for him.

His passion, however, incredibly extends beyond the capturing of images in motion. He has expanded his experience and expertise to uniquely reflect iconic figures in American history and beyond. His inspiration for his work is the miracle of life, which has recently contributed to his hunger and design of his paintings.  

The Nutley artist continues the long line of artists that called Nutley home. Lopa makes Nutley proud.

For more information about the artist, visit: William Lopa | Fine Art and Sports Artist | USA

By David Wilson & John Demmer

NUTLEY, NJ, May 17, 2017 -- Guest speakers included Anthony Bowens -- AKA "Vigilante" who wrestled his first match on April 13, 2013 in his hometown of Nutley and who later went on to win his first title on April 12, 2014 -- and Sal Scarpa, brother of Joe AKA Chief Jay Strongbow who brought along lots of memorabilia to display.

Nutley wrestling coach Mike DiPiano, and former Nutley coach Carmen LoRe who resides in Nutley and was a member of the original "club" wrestling team at Nutley High School (1961) the first varsity wrestling team (1962) and head coach for the NHS wrestling team (1994 to 2007) and won more than 100 matches.

Dear Nutley Historical Society members, friends, and Nutley Sports Fans,

It was a grand event at the Nutley Museum. The Nutley Historical Society hosted "50 Years of Nutley Wrestling." More than 50 people turned out to hear guest speakers Carmen LoRe, Jack (Mr. Suff) Suffren, Ralph Cardinale, Anthony Bowens, the brother of NHS wrestling coach Mike DiPiano, and Sal Scarpa, the brother of professional wrestler Joe Scarpa (Chief Jay Strongbow).

It was a fun night to celebrate a great sports tradition in Nutley. The audience enjoyed seeing memorabilia, and listening to memories and personal reflections by the guest speakers.

Many thanks for the great turnout!

Wrestling makes for lifetime friendships

From Nutley wrestling to professional wrestling:

Nutley Historical Society displays rare Annie Oakley memorabilia at school musical

Nutley, NJ—Nutley High School Performing Arts presents three performances of Annie Get Your Gun at Nutley High School in March.

Annie Get Your Gun is based on the life of Annie Oakley—a sharpshooter who starred in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show—and her romance with fellow sharpshooter Frank Butler. When Annie’s skills prove better than Bill’s, business heats up while romance cools, until the final shoot-out ensures a finale that hits the mark.

“The music of Irving Berlin—featuring hits like There's No Business Like Show Business and Anything You Can Do—makes Annie Get Your Gun truly memorable,” says Musical Director Nicole Monte. Adds Director Austin Vallies, “We’re so excited to work with our multi-talented student cast, crew, and musicians in this fun nod to a dynamic figure in Nutley history.”

In 1892, Annie returned home an international superstar following a five-year tour of Europe, where she performed for many heads of state. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Butler had a home built on Grant Avenue and lived in Nutley for 12 years. They were by all accounts terrific neighbors who were very active in Nutley social life. In 1894 Annie took part in the Nutley Amateur Circus, a local fundraiser to start a Red Cross chapter in town.

In 2016, then Nutley High School senior David Dizdari won a student art competition to design a mural based on the Amateur Circus. Later this year, that mural will be installed in the John H. Walker Middle School and join five others painted by Nutley students in the 1930s—more than 80 years ago!

In the meantime, David’s mural will be on display in the Nutley High School lobby during performances of Annie Get Your Gun. Nutley Museum Director John Simko calls it “a terrific painting from many great student submissions that captures a special moment in Nutley’s rich history,” noting that this is a “fantastic opportunity to see it up close.”

Visitors to the Nutley Historical Society and Museum can also see many of the Amateur Circus studies by the talented middle- and high-school students who took part in the art competition.

The Nutley Historical Society and Museum has a wonderful collection of Annie Oakley memorabilia—autographed photos, correspondence from European royalty, period posters, postcards sent to friends in Nutley, pistols owned by Annie and by Buffalo Bill, a coin nicked by Annie at the 1894 circus, and much more.

Music and lyrics for Annie Get Your Gun are by Irving Berlin and book is by siblings Dorothy Fields and Herbert Fields. This NHS Performing Arts production features a cast of Nutley High School students as well as a live orchestra of students and professionals.

The production staff includes Director Austin Vallies, Musical Directors Austin Vallies and Nicole Monte, Assistant Directors Eric Wdowiak and Michael Gurrieri, Choreographer Kristen Driscoll, Set and Lighting Designer James Gardner, and Sound Designer Henry Meola.

'New Jersey Folk Revival Music - History and Tradition' Book Launch Reception at the Nutley Museum

“New Jersey Folk Revival Music: History & Tradition,” the new book by New Jersey author and historian Michael Gabriele and published by The History Press/Arcadia Publishing, will be unveiled at a gala reception on Dec. 9, at the Nutley Museum, 65 Church St., Nutley.

The event, sponsored by the Nutley Historical Society, is free and open to the public.

Complementary refreshments, coffee, desserts and light snacks will be served. Books will be available for sale by the author.

This is Gabriele’s third book published by The History Press. A member of the Nutley Historical Society’s executive board, Gabriele is a 1971 graduate of Nutley High School, and a 1975 graduate of Montclair State University.

The reception will feature Ron Olesko, keynote speaker; and Roger Deitz, special guest artist. Both men have been major participants in the evolution of New Jersey folk revival music and they will share their insights.

Ron Olesko is the president of the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club in Fair Lawn and a radio DJ with WFDU FM at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Roger Deitz is an accomplished musician on the Garden State folk revival music circuit. He received the 2012 “lifetime achievement award” from the New Jersey Folk Festival. For more than 40 years, in addition to his musical performances, Deitz has penned numerous columns, feature stories, essays and reviews for publications such as Frets, Acoustic Guitar, Fast Folk, Billboard, and Sing Out!.

The book underlines the notion that folk revival music is a “living history,” building upon time-honored traditions. Gabriele’s new book provides a narrative on the evolution, traditions and history of folk revival music in New Jersey, from the days of bawdy tavern revelers and fiddle players in the 1700s; to the magical acoustic sounds heard throughout the Pine Barrens; to the advent of the “Guitar Mania” phenomenon in the mid-1800s; to monumental recordings made by Woody Guthrie, Paul Robeson, Jimmie Rodgers and Cecil Sharp at the Victor studios in Camden during the early 1900s; to inspirational concert performances by legendary artists Joan Baez, Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan; to the growth of music festivals and organizations throughout the state; to the rise of bluegrass and new grass music; to the achievements of current world-class New Jersey musicians.

Art lecture and book launch by Nutley's own: Gary Erbe, nationally known trompe l'oeil artist

Dec. 4,2016 -- The Nutley Historical Society proudly hosted the book launch, lecture and book signing by Gary Erbe, nationally known trompe l’oeil artist and Nutley resident held a the Nutley Museum.

Erbe presented Footprints: The Art and Life of Gary Erbe, a newly released book published by The Butler Institute of American Art.

Signed copies of the book were available for sale at the event and the Ann Troy Gallery at the Nutley Museum welcomed visitors.

About Footprints: The Art and Life of Gary Erbe

This large-format scholarly written volume is hard cover, 300 pages with over 250 illustrations. This is the most comprehensive book written about Gary Erbe, one of America’s foremost trompe l’oiel artists.

In the book, a distinguished group of art historians focuses in depth on the artist’s life and over fifty years of creating an impressive body of work consistent in quality and vision. Contributing writers are Dr. Thomas Folk, Dr. Carol Lowrey, Dr. Christine I. Oaklander, Carter Ratcliff, Dr. Michael W. Schantz and Dr. Louis A. Zona.

Erbe personally devotes one chapter of this 11-chapter book to the technical aspects associated with painting, including how to prepare canvas like the old masters, a special formula for the oil medium he uses, the proper varnish to use, and the palette.

This first edition book is limited in numbers and a must for art lovers and students of all ages.

“The Nutley Historical Society is thankful to Gary Erbe for the opportunity to premiere this important new book about a major American painter who resides in our town,” says Barry Lenson, Art Director of the Nutley Museum. “Since Gary Erbe and his wife Zeny moved to Nutley in 2009, they have become champions of The Nutley Historical Society. Over the years, Nutley has been home to painters Albert Sterner, Arthur Hoeber, Reginald Marsh, Michael Lenson and others. Of them all, Mr. Erbe is probably the most renowned and respected.”

About Gary T. Erbe

Gary T. Erbe, a self-taught painter, was born in 1944 in Union City, N,J., where he maintained his studio from 1972 until 2006. Unable to attend art school, he worked as an engraver to support himself and his family. In 1967, he discovered trompe l’oeil painting and its masters and found his artistic place. He enlarged the scope of nineteenth-century trompe l’oeil painting by adding the illusion of levitation and a near-magical juxtaposition of objects which, in his words, “in reality had no relationship.”

Since Erbe decided to pursue his art full time in 1970, he has exhibited in both solo and group exhibitions in many of America’s most important art museums. A partial list includes a 40-year retrospective exhibition that traveled to the Butler Institute of American Art, the Salmagundi Club, the Boca Raton Museum of Art and other venues (2008-2009), a solo exhibition in the Grand Gallery of the National Arts Club in New York (2000), and a 25-year retrospective exhibition that was shown at the James A. Michener Museum, the Butler Institute of American Art, and other institutions.

Erbe has won numerous awards, including the Gold Medal of Honor at the 2007 Allied Artists of America 94th Annual Exhibition, First Prize at the Butler Institute of American Art’s 66th National Midyear Exhibition, and many others. His paintings are held by many museums and private collections.

For more information Gary Erbe

Nutley, N.J., Oct. 25, 2016 – The Nutley Historical Society has been awarded a $1,000 grant by Wells Fargo Foundation to support the organization’s mission to promote understanding of Nutley history among the people of Nutley.

The Nutley Historical Society was founded in 1945 when a group of concerned Nutley citizens decided to establish the Nutley Historical Society and Museum in the historic brick Church Street School which is located at 65 Church Street, Nutley.

The beautiful and historic museum, built in 1875, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is the envy of many other civic historical societies in New Jersey.

The museum holds a series of open houses, lectures, tours and other events that are attended by more than 500 Nutleyites every year, as well as by visitors from other towns and states. Other programs include college scholarships given to Nutley students, special exhibitions in the Nutley library and elsewhere, and a vibrant program of other events.

“We truly appreciate Wells Fargo’s support,” said Domenick Tibaldo, President of the Nutley Historical Society. “We will use this grant to produce more high-quality experiences for the people of our town, and to increase outreach and public awareness of our museum and its mission.”

The grant was awarded as part of Wells Fargo’s Community Connections program, which provides local branch managers the opportunity to make a $1,000 charitable contribution on behalf of Wells Fargo to a nonprofit of their choice.  

Wells Fargo Northern New Jersey branches distributed a total of $148,000 in grants to support nonprofit groups, an increase from last year’s $139,000 contributions.

“We host this annual breakfast to celebrate, recognize and say thank you to community heroes such as The Nutley Historical Society for all of their invaluable contributions and dedicated service to empower northern New Jersey neighborhoods over the past year,” said Fred Bertoldo, Wells Fargo’s Northern New Jersey region president.  “Each nonprofit grant recipient was identified by our local branches. They see which nonprofits are out in the community making a difference in the areas where many team members and customers are proud to live and work.”

The annual Community Connections program offers Wells Fargo branch managers the opportunity to provide additional grants to local nonprofits of their choice in New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, New York and Pennsylvania.

A walking tour

The Enclosure Artists' Colony

According to the Walking Tour of The Enclosure and Environs on Oct. 28, 1973, conducted and created by the Nutley Historical Society to support restoration of Kingsland Manor:

Mallaby House: 62 Enclosure

1840 – Owned by the Mallaby family until the 1920s, the George Symonds lived there from 1882 to 1886. Mrs. Symonds was the former Isabelle Vreeland.

Arthur Hoeber House: 55 Enclosure

1891 – A plaque over the living room fireplace proclaims "this house was built for Arthur and Mary Hoeber in MDCCCXCI". Mr. Hoeber, while primarily a landscapist, wrote several books on 19th Century painting and was a critic and/or editor for The New York Times, Illustrated American, New York Journal and others.

Abraham and Warren Vreeland House: 51 Enclosure

1836 – Abraham, son of John (Vreeland Homestead), built this house on the present site of the First National State Bank. In 1924, while the house was being moved to its present location, it was cut in half to prevent damage to trees along the route. The carved stone front step was moved at the same time.

Earl Stetson-Crawford House: 41 Enclosure

1904 – Mr. Stetson-Crawford was an artist who executed murals in the Albany State House, San Francisco and New York Libraries. His wife was a miniature painter.

Albert Sterner House: 40 Enclosure

1872 – Originally built by Albert Sterner as a studio, the house over the years has been expanded to its present configuration. Sterner, a painter, etcher and lithographer, illustrated for Life, Scribner's, Harper's, and Century. The studio also served Charles W. Hawthorn, an American portrait and genre painter and founder of the Cape Cod School of Art.

John Hay House: 24 Enclosure

1853 – This house was built by John Hay who wrote for Century. Containing five working fireplaces, it is a fine example of Victorian architecture.

Frank Fowler House: 16 Enclosure

1872 – For nearly a century this house was home and studio to more artists than any other in The Enclosure. Frank Fowler, who built this first studio in The Enclosure, painted frescoes in the Luxembourg Palace and the Waldorf-Astoria. His wife was also a painter. At the turn of the 19th Century, Frederick Dana Marsh, famous for industrial scenes of laborers at work, and his artist wife took possession of the house. Their two sons, Reginald and James, were also artists. Next came Guy Pene Du Bois, artist, critic and editor. In the 1940s, the next Enclosure artist, Michael Lenson, came to work and live. Muralist, teacher and administrator, Lenson lived there until his death in 1971.

Baron Von Strom House: 5 Enclosure

1888 – A Swedish nobleman and architect, Baron Von Strom built this Tudor style house for his own family. He also designed the Rector of Grace Church, the Goodrich home, the Prout home, the Platt house and Herbeling's Drug Store across from the Enclosure.

John Mason House: 19 Calico Lane

1812 – Near this spacious stone house was a saw and grist mill and tannery belonging to Captain John Speer. This was later converted to a cotton mill by Mason. At the turn of the 19th Century the house was owned by James R. Hay, a real estate man who has been credited with bringing many artists to the area.

Duncan House: 401 Passaic Avenue

c. 1830 – Originally part of Duncan Mills and residence of W. Duncan, this house was later converted into a factory to make rugs, an office of Public Service Gas and Electric and a gift shop. In the 1920s it was reconverted into a private home.

Vreeland Homestead: 226 Chestnut Street

1702 – Belonging to the VanGieson family prior to the American Revolution, the house was lost to Captain Abram Speer who sold it to John M. Vreeland in 1783. The Woman's Club of Nutley used the homestead from 1912 to 2012.

Other Nutley artists with local ties, according to Nutley Historical Society research include:

Beda Zel Angle; Estelle Armstrong; William T.L. Armstrong;

Natalie Bain; Clinton Balmer; Frances I. Bennett; Virginia Bennett; Robert S. Bowden; Edward Bridges; David Bryant;

Ann Cole; Harry Chase; Brenetta Stetson-Crawford; Maureen Crost;

Charles J. Daidone; Francis L. Day; Paul Dougherty; June Driscoll;

Arthur J. Elder; William Eville;

Alfred Fanellli; Edward Loyal Field; Vivian Noyes Fikus; Mary Sargant Florence;

Michael Gabriele; Ralph Goddard; Harry Grabowski;

Tom Haas; Hamilton Hamilton; I. B. Hazelton; Alan Hewitt and Edith Hewitt;

Roy Imhoff;

Charles Kendrick; Richard Kramer; David Kwo;

Olimpia Lordi; Tom Lovell; Fernand Lungren;

Anne Steele Marsh; Adam Molarsky; Abram Molarsky, Sarah Ann Shreve Molarsky; John Moore;

Marie Pupke;

Ruth Sawyer; John Schermerhorn; Carl L. Schmitz; Tacie Sergeant; Edgar Sergeant; Marie Spinning; Frederic Dorr Steele; William A. Stuart;

Roger Townsend;

Emmy Van Deven;

George Waldo; Muriel M. Woodcock;

William Yeager.

In 1873, 19th century land developer James Hay purchased the circa-1812 John Mason house located by Cotton Mill Pond, now known as the "Mudhole" in Memorial Park I. This house, which stands today, is of Federal design and is one of Nutley's most architecturally significant buildings. It is now part of the Enclosure Historic District that was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Hay was instrumental in enticing scores of artists, authors and magazine editors to make the Enclosure and its environs their home.

Among the list of notables who lived in Nutley were painters Frank Fowler, Frederic Dorr Steele, Frederick Dana Marsh and his wife, Alice Randall, Albert Sterner, Arthur Hoeber, Earl Stetson-Crawford and his wife, Brenetta and Ferdinand Lungren; authors Frank Stockton, Henry C. Bunner, and editors of such prominent magazines as Puck, Century, Judge and The Railroad Gazette.

Even the famous sharp shooter Annie Oakley took up residence in 1892 in a house on Grant Avenue (since demolished). In 1894, she and Henry C. Butler, the editor of Puck magazine, with many other town residents, volunteered their services to produce the Nutley Amateur Circus on the grounds of the Eaton Stone Circus Headquarters on Kingsland Road to benefit the American Red Cross. Special trains arrived from New York bringing in people to witness the event.

Adapted from History of Nutley - 1907

The Artists of 16 Enclosure