Paterson’s Place in the American Story

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Weigh in: What should the fifth poster be?

As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, a new poster series commissioned by NJCDC is inviting residents and visitors alike to look at American history through a distinctly Paterson lens.

On June 12, community members, local leaders, historians, and supporters gathered at NJCDC Headquarters for the unveiling of the America 250 Paterson Poster Series, a collection of four original works exploring moments when Paterson’s influence extended far beyond its city limits and left its mark on the nation itself. The ceremony featured remarks from Lt. Governor Dr. Dale Caldwell, First Lady of Paterson and event emcee Farhanna Sayegh, and other civic and cultural leaders, along with presentations on the history behind each poster. Stirring patriotic musical performances by Paterson’s own Tiffani McCutchen rounded out the program.

Developed as part of America 250 Paterson, the series is built around a simple but powerful idea: that the story of America runs through Paterson.

The Question Behind the Project

The project emerged from conversations between NJCDC Founder and CEO Bob Guarasci and designer Christian Drury as they began considering how Paterson might participate in the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration.

Rather than simply commemorating local landmarks or notable figures, they sought to identify moments when Paterson’s impact reached beyond New Jersey and influenced the broader American experience.

“One of the things that makes Paterson remarkable is that its influence has never been limited to its own boundaries,” said Guarasci. “Time and again, the people of this city have helped shape national conversations, industries, and institutions. These posters tell four of those stories, but they also remind us that Paterson's story is still being written.”

That perspective guided the selection of four defining chapters in Paterson’s history.

Four Chapters in the American Story

The first poster, Declaring Economic Independence, explores Alexander Hamilton’s decision to establish America’s first planned industrial city at the Great Falls of the Passaic in 1791. At a time when the young nation remained heavily dependent on foreign manufacturing, Paterson represented a bold vision for economic self-sufficiency and industrial innovation. The poster was introduced during the ceremony by Mayor Andre Sayegh, who reflected on Hamilton’s vision and Paterson’s foundational role in the nation’s industrial development.

The second poster, Uniting the Continent, highlights Paterson’s role in locomotive production during the nineteenth century. Between 1850 and 1875, the city produced the majority of the nation’s steam locomotives, including engines that helped power the Transcontinental Railroad and connect a growing nation from coast to coast. The presentation was delivered by Giacomo “Jack” DeStefano, Director of the Paterson Museum, whose remarks underscored the city’s central place in America’s industrial expansion.

The third work, Galvanizing American Labor, commemorates the 1913 Paterson Silk Strike, when more than 20,000 workers walked off the job in pursuit of fair wages, dignity, and humane working conditions. Though the strike did not achieve immediate victory, it became part of a broader movement that helped reshape labor rights throughout the United States. The poster was presented by Angelica Santomauro, Director of the American Labor Museum, who spoke about the strike’s enduring significance in American labor history.

Finally, Powering Allied Victory tells the story of the thousands of workers at Paterson’s Curtiss-Wright plant whose efforts during World War II helped produce aircraft engines critical to the Allied war effort and eventual victory. The presentation was delivered by Anthony “Tony” Vancheri, Founder of Vietnam Veterans for America Paterson Chapter 33, who reflected on the sacrifices and service of the generations who helped defend freedom both at home and abroad.

Together, the posters tell a story of innovation, industry, labor, and service — and of a city that has repeatedly helped steer the nation’s course.

Bringing History to Life

Created by designer Christian Drury, the series continues a longstanding collaboration between Drury and NJCDC to celebrate Paterson’s history through visual storytelling.

For Drury, the project offered an opportunity to connect local history with a larger national narrative.

“What drew me to this project was the opportunity to tell a national story through a local lens,” he said. “Each poster explores a moment when Paterson’s influence extended well beyond the city and helped shape the course of American history.”

Drury served as Creative Director for the project, which was developed by Brightwell with concept, design, and illustration support from Justin Sapp and Amelia Markey.

Looking Back —  and Looking Forward

While the poster series celebrates four moments from the past, organizers hope it will also encourage residents to think about Paterson’s future.

As part of the project, visitors can scan a QR code linking to a dedicated webpage that explores the history behind each poster and invites community members to answer a thought-provoking question:

If Paterson were to create a fifth poster fifty years from now, what do you think it could — or should — be?

The question reflects a central theme of the project: that history is not only something we inherit, but something we continue to create.

The four posters commemorate moments when generations of innovators, workers, immigrants, entrepreneurs, and visionaries helped shape the American story. They also challenge today’s residents to imagine what future generations might someday recognize as Paterson's next great contribution to the nation.

Fittingly, the ceremony concluded with remarks delivered by a historical interpreter portraying President George Washington, connecting the city’s story to the nation’s founding and underscoring the spirit of reflection that inspired the project.

As America approaches its 250th birthday, the America 250 Paterson Poster Series serves as both a celebration of the past and an invitation to consider the future, reminding us that some of the most important chapters in American history have been written right here in Paterson.