Silk City’s Past &
Our Sustainable Future

The first planned industrial city of America, Paterson, NJ, is nicknamed “Silk City” as it was the leading producer of silk in the 19th century. The silk mills relied on the use of hydropower from the Great Falls and Passaic River, connecting America’s first factories to the city’s water ecosystem and natural environment. Let the history of the Great Falls serve as a cautionary tale against exploitation of natural resources and workers as tools for industry.

Paterson’s rich history as an industrial city shows us that profiteering at the expense of the land leaves an indelible mark on local ecosystems. We are offered an opportunity to learn from the past and move with purpose toward a sustainable future.