In the shadow of Hamilton: exploring diverse histories in the development of the Great Falls National Historical Park in Paterson, New Jersey
Date
2010
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
In March of 2009 Congress authorized the creation of the Great Falls National
Historical Park and the National Park Service (NPS) will shortly begin creating the
new park’s management and interpretive plans. Paterson has a strong industrial legacy
as America’s first systematically planned industrial site, but it also possesses a rich
ethnic history that is still evident today. The city has a complex, layered, and diverse
history that has been overshadowed by the more nationally recognized themes of
Alexander Hamilton and the city’s industrial success. This thesis explores underrepresented
histories within the Great Falls and analyzes the extent to which the NPS’s
interpretive policies support or hinder the inclusion of minority narratives. A paradox
exists within the Park Service management policy; on one hand they want to expand
the scope of park interpretation to engage a broader audience, but on the other, their
policies limit interpretive opportunities in Paterson by using an outdated, traditional
definition of national significance. This thesis recommends initiatives that the NPS
can take to make the park more relevant to a diverse population, many of which may
feel little or no connection to resources within the Park System. The NPS has made a
commitment to begin representing the heritage of more Americans, and Paterson is an
ideal site to realize this goal.