Wow. The Paterson Museum stands before you a testament to Paterson’s industrial past. Founded in 1925 it initially showcased natural history items donated by local residents. Imagine those early displays humble beginnings compared to today’s impressive collections.
The museum’s story is one of relocation and growth. It started in a library assembly room. Then it moved to the carriage house of former mayor Nathan Barnert. Finally in 1982 it found its permanent home in the restored Thomas Rogers Locomotive and Machine Shop. This building itself is a historical gem a former erecting shop of the renowned Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works a major 19th-century manufacturer of steam locomotives.
Step inside and explore. You’ll discover a fascinating array of artifacts. There are old firearms Native American artifacts gemstones and even remnants of Paterson’s once-thriving silk industry including automated looms. But the museum isn’t just about industrial history. It also delves into Paterson’s role in submarine innovation. See the Fenian Ram a submarine designed by John Philip Holland for the Fenian Brotherhood. Holland’s life and work are also well-documented in the museum’s archives.
The Paterson Museum houses more than just machinery. There’s a surprisingly large collection of early 1900s medicine. Hundreds of old medicine caps are displayed alongside paintings depicting medicine covers and hospital life. A portion of Lou Costello’s childhood playhouse facade adds a touch of unexpected whimsy.
The museum’s connection to renowned author HP Lovecraft is a little-known fact. Their head curator James Ferdinand Morton Jr was a friend of Lovecraft. Lovecraft even included the Paterson Museum in his famous 1926 short story The Call of Cthulhu. Some believe that Lovecraft’s 1935 story The Haunter of the Dark features an artifact inspired by a trapezoidal piece of almandine displayed here.
The Paterson Museum is more than just a museum. It’s a journey through time. It’s a tribute to Paterson’s innovative spirit and rich industrial heritage. Take your time explore and be amazed by the stories these artifacts tell. Let them transport you to Paterson’s vibrant past. A past that continues to shape its present.