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Your support is more important than ever
Founded in 1791 by Alexander Hamilton as America’s first planned industrial city, Paterson was built around the powerful Great Falls, which provided energy for early manufacturing. By the mid-19th century, the city had become a major center for textiles and silk production—earning it the nickname “Silk City.” This industrial boom attracted large numbers of immigrants seeking work and opportunity. Paterson has long been one of the most important immigrant gateway cities in the United States, shaped by waves of newcomers who fueled its industrial growth and cultural diversity and today remains a microcosm of the American immigrant experience—a place where diverse cultures converge, contribute to economic life, and continually redefine the city’s identity.
To support and provide entertainment for the residents of Paterson, a significant venue, Hinchliffe Stadium, was opened in 1932, providing a home for the New York Black Yankees and the New York Cubans during the segregated Jim Crow era. It was the hometown field of Paterson’s own Larry Doby, who broke the color barrier by becoming the first black player to join an American League team. In addition to baseball, semiprofessional football, amateur boxing, midget car racing, demolition derbies, track and field, labor rallies and major musical events made Hinchliffe central to Paterson social life for most of the 20th century.
The story of America runs through Paterson
Chuck Muth, a Paterson native, and his wife, Laura, made a generous philanthropic gift to establish a museum as a learning center and to give back in a meaningful way to the city that played such a pivotal and inspiring role in building his personal foundation and launching a successful career in business.
The Charles J Museum preserves history, ensures educational opportunities, and provides a stimulus for community impact. Since its opening in 2024, the Muth Museum has welcomed nearly 20,000 visitors, including thousands of area schoolchildren, college students and educators, and in 2026 received national recognition as a USA Today Top Ten Best New Museum.
With the support of visionary funders like you, the Museum will ensure that the Stadium’s powerful story and civic pride continue to inspire, educate, and unite future generations.
Your gift today will help sustain and grow the Museum’s ability to offer free and low-cost programs that engage the public year-round.
