and as we celebrate Black History Month a home once gifted to a freed New Jersey slave was on the brink of demolition its history and significance to the community sent to disappear with it that is until local activists stepped in determined to preserve the home and its story for generations to come senior correspondent Joanna gagas reports we are the new Proud owners of 369 Claremont Avenue they are the friends of the Howe house an unassuming Little House nestled between two much larger pretty typical Montclair homes but packed inside this tiny home is a massive history of slavery freedom and the beginnings of black home ownership in Montclair this home has such significant supports to the community of Montclair to African Americans to the state of New Jersey and I think to the story of the Journey of African Americans in the U.S as well that's because this home was owned by Major Nathaniel crane in the early 1800s he did something unusual for the time upon his death he left the home and six acres of land to James Howe a slave who'd served crane for nearly a decade before crane freed him over time that six acres has changed this town parts of it were sold off next door another family free black family the Olivers moved in later on the two children of James and Susan how Henry and Delilah also had properties on the original six acres so it was a you know a critical kind of a seed that led to you know a black community in other parts of Montclair so this was a critical you know part of the development of black Montclair but the home survived proposed demolitions in the past was recently listed for sale as an investment property meaning the new owners would likely tear it down that's when the friends of the Howe house formed we've put in an offer and somebody else came in with a stronger offer than we did and we thought it was all lost it was done but luckily we were able to secure the home put in another offer with the help of bridge Builders to be able to purchase the home and after years of uncertainty around the home's future this community took a moment to celebrate their Victory very important keeping the history you know we've heard so much about history being wiped off of books and records and things of that nature but this is something that has to stand there's great support amongst the community and you know it's just in this being a Black History Month okay you got to get that plug in there this is just a beautiful beautiful event the African-Americans specifically in this town have honored this home for years calling it The freed slave house and there were many projects over the years to make sure that it was protected and preserved their success was the combined effort of many groups coming together but it's going to take that same effort to pay back the bridge Builders loan restore the home and begin the next phase of creating a cultural and educational center here we are in the process of gathering Community input because again at the end of the day our final mission is to return this home to the community where we can open the doors for people to come visit the home learn about the history of James Howe and African-Americans in Montclair and also bring light to slavery in New Jersey that so many people know little about right now they're tenants in the home so they have a lease with us currently when that lease is expired talks will then be around restoring the home making sure that we are replacing it with the same exact material to keep its historical you know status the friends of the how house expect it'll take about two years before they can open this door to the public and start sharing the incred history and significance of this home in Montclair I'm Joanna GagisNJ Spotlight news [Music]