New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-29
HAS MODEL TOWN HALL
Big MontCiair Departments
Under Ore Roof.
FEATURES OF STRUCTURE
Art Museum on South Mountain
and Bloomfield Avenues
Recently Opened.

The new Municipal Building, AT Valley
Road and Bloomfield avenue Montclair
y. j.. is a semi-freproof structure. 1t is
almost an entirely new structure. No
one looking at the building. with its i'm
posing white brick front and marble en-
trance. would think that some of the side
walls Of the old fire and police head
quarters formed a part OF the new struct-
ure This shows how efficiently the
architects and builders nave carried out
the plans Of making the entire structure
if not wholly new, of harmonious design.
The structure is officially called not the
City Hall Of the town, but the Municipal
Building.
one of the largest suites of rooms is
occupied by the Health Department THIS
suite was especially fitted up for its
present occupancy. and is said TO be the
best equipped rooms Of its kind in the
whole state.
On the ground floor is Police Head
quarters and offices Of the Tax Collector,
City Engineer and Building Inspector.
on the second floor are the Council
rooms and Offices Of the Town Clerk, City
Treasurer. Auditor and the Mayors suite
of three rooms. besides the office OF the
Chief Of Police and the Recorder and
Civil Court.
on the third floor are the Board Of
Assessors and the Board Of Health.
There are five spare rooms, which will be
tenanted as the governing bodies Of the
town grow.
The building was ready for occupancy
in April. The plan has been to bring to-
gether under one roof all the principal
departments Of the town government
and this object has been obtained. This
housing scheme could not possibly nave
been carried out If the old horse-drawn
vehicles of the Fire Department had been
continued. as it would have been neces-
sary 10 have stables for the horses on
the ground floor Of the building.
With the motorization Of the Fire De-
partmcnt il became possible TO bring all
the big departments under the roof Of
one building
The Art Museum recently opened at
South Mountain and Bloomfield avenues
is one Of the finest structures Of its kind
in the state.
About 1909 William T. Evans, Of the big
drygoods house of Mills q Glib, Of this
city. gave as a gift to the town Of Mont
clair $4,000 worth Of oil paintings. The
pictures were placed under the care OF
the civic Association.
Soon afterward the question Of properly
caring for these pictures was discussed
and steps were taken TO provide a mu-
scum where they could be hung. The
Civic Association appointed committee
on art and Mr.. Evans was made chair
man Of that committee
y donation Of $4,000 toward a building
fund was received from Mrs. Henry
Lang, and another generous contributor
toward the building project was James
y. Jarvie, VINO was for many years a
partner Of John Arbuckle, the sugar re-
finer.
Large numbers OF persons. residents OF
the town. swelled the building fund by
so donations. The Montclair Art Asso-
citation was formed 10 carry out the plans
for the building and TO manage the
structure The pictures donated by Mr..
Evans have been on exhibition in the as
sembly hall Of the high school for some
time. II is thought that they will be
transferred TO the museum at an early
date. where they will be permanently
placed on exhibition.