S.U.M.

In November 1791, the Society for establishing Useful Manufactures (S.U.M.) became the first private corporation in New Jersey. The following year, the city of Paterson, America’s first planned industrial city, was born. The S.U.M. came to the area with one purpose, to utilize the waterpower of the Passaic River at the Great Falls for American industry.

Learn about the struggles and triumphs of the early days of the city and how the raceway system changed everything.