• Paterson Great Falls

    Paterson Great Falls

    National Historical Park New Jersey

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • Paterson Museum Closed

    As of May 22, 2013, the city-run Paterson Museum, located within the boundaries of the park, is closed for repairs. It will be closed untul further notice. You can still visit the Great Falls Cultural Center. More »

A Revolutionary Idea

Cotton & silk for clothing; locomotives for travel; paper for books & writing letters; Lucky Lindy's plane engine. What do they have in common? They all came from the same place!

In 1791, Paterson, America's first planned industrial city, was established, centered around the Great Falls of the Passaic River. From humble mills would rise industries that changed the face of the United States.

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Features

  • Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park Junior Ranger Badge

    Calling all Junior Rangers!

    The park now has its own Junior Ranger book! You can earn a badge, like the one above, by completing the activities. Here's how...

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  • Mill Mile brochure

    Have You Heard?

    Paterson Great Falls NHP has its own app! Listen to stories about Paterson's great history as you walk through the Historic District.

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  • General Management Plan

    Help Us Plan YOUR Park

    We need your help to plan the future of this new national park. Your suggestions will determine the direction the park takes over the next 20 years.

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  • Logos for the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America

    You can be a Scout Ranger!

    Boy and & Girl Scouts - You can now be a National Park Service Scout Ranger! Explore & protect national parks, earn badges & certificates, & have fun!

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  • Members of the Great Falls Youth Corps talking with visitors

    People in Partnership with Nature

    Visit us and learn how waterfalls, mills and engineering wonders brought the Industrial Revolution to the United States.

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  • Community Leaders

    Community Leaders

    Meet the members of the Federal Advisory Commission for Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park.

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  • Stay Connected

    Stay Connected

    To learn about the latest news and events happening at Paterson Great Falls, follow us on Twitter and Facebook or sign up for email updates.

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Did You Know?

Detail of image of L'Enfant at the US Capitol; Credit: Architect of the Capitol

That Pierre L’Enfant, famed engineer of Washington, D.C., was hired to design the city of Paterson? Although he was fired, his raceway designs were later modified and used to direct water to the mills. More...