REINHEIMER BOYS’ CLUB, INC.

WILLIAM CARMEL

THE Reinheimer Boys’ Club began in the summer of 1934 as a croquet club for under-privileged Negro boys in Nutley. At that time there were seven members, whose ages ranged from eight to thirteen. Under the direction of Mrs. William Perry, these boys cleared away a lot on Friedland Road which was owned by the Town of Nutley and had been used as a dump. In order to buy this lot from the town, they raised money by giving little plays and selling cookies, aprons and pot holders from door to door around the town. This piece of property, which was bought in 1936, is still used as a playground.

It was mainly through the efforts of Mayor Reinheimer that, beginning in 1935, the boys were able to camp for a month each summer at Schooley Mountain. Mrs. Reinheimer, as a tribute to her deceased husband and his interest in the Club, has been making yearly payments on this site. The Rotary Club provided transportation to and from the camp, where the boys lived in eight tents bought from the U.S. Government.

The Club meetings were held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Perry until 1940, when, through the help of ex-Mayor Young, the present clubhouse at 104 Passaic Avenue was purchased.

By August, 1945, the last payments on the mortgage to this house had been paid.

Most of the money which has supported the Club and contributed to its expansion has been given by various private families and organizations in Nutley. Among these are the Rotarians, the Lions’ Club, the Elks and the Police Department; business firms which have contributed money include Hoffmann­LaRoche, George La Monte and Viola Brothers.

During its 26 years, approximately two hundred boys have belonged to the Club. Eighteen of these served in the Armed Forces during World War II, and all returned safely.

Mr. Perry, who died on May 2, 1946, gave much of his hard­earned money to the Club, and more of his time and energy doing jobs around the club house. His fine support, moral and otherwise, endeared him to the boys, and earned him the title of “father” of the Club.