History of the Nutley Historical Society and Museum

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.

One of the society's early projects was to restore the Church Street School to house a town museum. This school, built in 1875, is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

With community support, society membership, and grants, we are able to maintain this historic building and museum gallery.

The society's Board of Directors meet regularly on the third Wednesday each month to ensure the viability and continued growth of the organization. Our general membership gathers on a quarterly basis for special lectures an other events.

The Nutley Historical Society acquired the "Church Street School" building from the Nutley Board of Education in 1947.

This brick school house was originally built in 1875 to replace a wooden structure that had been fire damaged in 1874.

Land for the school was donated Henry Stager.

Grade school classes were held here for twenty years until 1894 when they were transferred to the newly erected Park School; now Nutley High School.

From 1910 to 1927 the Church Street School was used for boys vocational classes.

When disbanded as a school, various town organizations used the building as a meeting place.

In 1980, the museum (upstairs) was named the Ann A. Troy Gallery, in appreciation of Miss Troy's long time dedication as museum director for the preservation and dissemination of Nutley's History.

Miss Troy edited NUTLEY Yesterday Today, which was published by the Nutley Historical Society in 1961. The 354-page book is available for sale in the museum.