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Please be aware, the Museum does not have Air Conditioning. As the summer heats up and temperatures outside remain high, we continue to encourage visitors to call the museum to ensure that we are open before you visit (973)321-1260. The museum may close to the public unexpectedly due to high temperatures inside the main gallery. We appreciate your patience as we ride out this heatwave together.
The Paterson Museum is now open to the public. Museum hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 am- 4:30 pm. We are not open on the weekends at this time. We still ask that you call ahead to make reservations for groups larger than ten.

History within History

Guided Tours

The Museum offers guided tours for

school and community groups by appointment. Please call for further

information about program details or

to make a group tour reservation.

Visiting Hours

Monday to Friday: 9:30am – 4:30pm

Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Admissions

Suggested donation of $2.00 for adults; Children under 18 free.

About The Museum

Paterson Museum – Thomas Rogers Building, 2 Market Street, Paterson – Owned and maintained by the City of Paterson, the Museum was organized in 1925. Its first exhibit, displayed in the assembly room of the Danforth Public Library, consisted of natural history objects donated by local residents.

 

Two years later, the growing collection was moved to the adjacent carriage house of former Mayor Nathan Barnert, and within a few years, its mineral collection was one of the largest in New Jersey. The museum was relocated to the restored Thomas Rogers Locomotive Erecting Shop in 1982, giving visitors the opportunity of viewing a variety of artifacts and exhibits which help tell the industrial history of Paterson.

 

…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.

The Foundation

The Foundation

Paterson Museum Foundation (The Foundation) during Paterson’s 225th anniversary year. The Foundation will support the growth of the museum in conjunction with the revival of the Great Falls and Hinchliffe Stadium, promote the development of its exhibits, educational programs, and special community events.

Modern Day

Modern Day

Visitors will enjoy looking over the dyeing, winding, warping, weaving and Jacquard loom products that gave Paterson its worldwide reputation in silk and textiles.

Gallery

  • If your interested in our nation's industrial revolution or a 1881 submarine, Colt pistols or Lou Costello then you should visit this museum. Less than a minute to the Great Falls of Paterson and historic Hinchliffe Stadium.

    Nick M.

  • I visited here today. The parking lot was full although I was the only person there, but I parked at the Falls up the street as I was also stopping there. The museum does a good job of having exhibits highlighting the history of Paterson. It is well worth a trip.

    Ross

  • Having been raised in New Jersey, my husband and I decided to go here and see what could possibly be here. To our surprise this place was a delight and it should be a great place to take the kids to learn a little bit about the area.

    Ginny P.

  • One of the nice things about Silk city is the history behind the town. Is good to see the good side of Paterson.

    Lorena A.

  • This is one and the only Museum in Paterson NJ lived here all my life took my children when they were little and now I'm taking my grandchildren so they can learn the heritage of the museum and look at all the beautiful things they have displayed we love it.

    Monalisarr

  • A great insight to how textile depts. were organized , often by language spoken and how shipping companies recruited from N Italy and Germany skilled workers for the Silk City and how Haledon was founded by some of these. Paterson the first planned industrial city in the USA explained. Other industries fro locomotives to Colt revolvers exhibitions.

    Mike

  • We LOVED this museum! It was filled to the rooftop with interesting histories and tidbits about the town and the people from it! We spent a good two hours there at least, and LOVED every minute of it! The one down side of the place, is that there's no gift/souvenir shop.

    Katie D.

  • This museum is near the Great Falls of the Passaic and has a number of great names: Colt, Holland, Costello -- and great exhibits about the history of the area. The museum has some notable old-found items. It has a range of old guns, Native American artifacts, to gem stones and old locomotives. If you have any interest in the industrial history of America, this is an essential stop, great natural beauty and great history.

    Rob Curtross

  • The museum is cool you get to see the diesel power machine like the old trains and engines from back in the days and all items are in great condition. Three floor of history, great guides, with vast knowledge of the museum.

    Dashon E.

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