Working in Paterson Project

Administrative History

The Working in Paterson Project was undertaken in connection with the federal Urban History Initiative (UHI). In accordance with the initiative, three cities in New Jersey--Perth Amboy, Trenton, and Paterson--each received government funds to develop revitalization programs. The National Park Service's Mid-Atlantic Regional Office administered programs in Paterson, including this study of occupational heritage. AFC Folklife Specialist, David A. Taylor, directed the project and conducted fieldwork along with folklorists Tom Carroll, Susan Levitas, Robert McCarl, Timothy Lloyd, and documentary photographer, Martha Cooper. At the time of the Working in Paterson Project, Tom Carroll was Assistant Director for Collections and Research at the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Susan Levitas was a self-employed folklorist/cultural consultant in the mid-Atlantic region. Robert McCarl was Research Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Boise State University in Boise, Idaho. Timothy Lloyd was Acting Deputy Director of the American Folklife Center. Martha Cooper was a professional photographer in New York City.