Museum History

The Paterson Museum was organized in 1925 by the City of Paterson Library 's Board of Trustees. The museum began its operations in the assembly room of the Danforth Public Library with a display of natural history items that had been donated to the library by local residents. In 1927, the collections were moved to the carriage house of former Paterson mayor and philanthropist Nathan Barnert. The house was located on Summer Street next to the Danforth Library. Over the years, the museum's collections grew in size and scope, and additional space was needed for exhibitions. This need was met in 1982, when the restoration of the Thomas Rogers Locomotive Erecting Shop (1873) was completed. Mayor Frank X. Graves, Jr. was instrumental in relocating the museum to the Rogers Building , the focal point of the 119-acre Great Falls Historic District. The museum's new location, in close proximity to the nationally famous Great Falls of Passaic, provides a unique backdrop for our exhibits.

From its inception, the Paterson Museum has stressed the educational aspects of it's interpretive exhibits. A major strength of the museum lies in its varied collections, including local archaeology, history, and mineralogy. Paterson has been a birthplace and springboard to many innovators and inventors. The museum relates to the history of Paterson by showing its evolution as a machinery and textile center, the “Silk City,” locomotive manufacturing, Colt arms, and the unique Holland submarines.