During my recent work trip to Paterson, New Jersey for ABF Freight, I had some free time Wednesday morning to explore a very important baseball museum.  An important baseball museum located next to a historic baseball and sports arena – Paterson, New Jersey’s iconic Hinchcliffe Stadium.  This was my second trip to Hinchcliffe and my first to step inside the Charles J Muth Museum, which features baseball history, Hinchcliffe Stadium history, and so much more.  

I was lucky enough to catch museum director Jessica Bush as she was in between tasks, who gave me a detailed rundown of the museum and its purpose.  Jessica highlighted the work done by staff and local Paterson residents, Montclair State University, and so many others to bring this museum to life.  She mentioned the historical aspect of Hinchcliffe Stadium and the fact that it was home to not one, but two prominent Negro Baseball League teams – The New York Cubans and the New York Black Yankees.  And was kind enough to set up a movie in the theater section of the museum about the history, somewhat crumbling, then rebirth of Hinchcliffe Stadium and the subsequent renovations around and in the stadium itself.  I really appreciated the time Jessica spent with me.  I will attach her card if you have any questions about the museum and its operation at the end of the blog.

Getting back to the museum, I really loved the layout.  There were illustrated tributes to Negro Baseball League players, coaches, owners strewn up all over the gallery.  Players and prominent figures you may have heard of like Roy Campanella, Larry Doby, Buck Leonard, Effa Manley, and Satchel Paige.  And others you may be learning about for the first time, so you should definitely look up their names and careers and recognize their greatness.  These photos were beautifully illustrated along with their respective teams, years they played, and appearance dates at historic Hinchcliffe Stadium.  I thought that was an incredible detail to add to each illustration, it really helped tie in the historic aspect of Hinchcliffe Stadium, knowing these Hall of Fame players played on the field just a few hundred yards from where I was standing.  Very cool moment for me.

In addition to baseball, Hinchcliffe Stadium was a go to sports arena and community magnet for the Paterson community.  Football games, car racing events, local concerts, and boxing events all drew gigantic crowds.  Standing room only crowds for high school football games and concerts featuring national recording artists were common.  Hinchcliffe Stadium was a huge drawing card for some of the best players in the best sports for decades upon decades there in Paterson.

It was such an amazing baseball and cultural experience at the Charles J. Muth Museum at Hinchcliffe Stadium.  Paterson, New Jersey has a national treasure there, and the history and people who have walked through those gates is just incredible to think about.  The top Negro Baseball League players, stars like Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, Larry Doby all played at historic Hinchcliffe Stadium.  Negro Baseball League teams called Hinchcliffe Stadium home – the New York Black Yankees and the New York Cubans.  Millions of baseball fans got to witness amazing players and incredible baseball for so many years.  And with the New Jersey Jackals of the Frontier Independent Baseball League calling Hinchcliffe Stadium home now, more baseball fans will be able to soak in even more baseball history.  What an awesome day and a historic New Jersey baseball experience.

For more information on the Charles J. Muth Museum, including hours of operation, how you can get involved, how you can learn more about the history of Hinchcliffe Stadium, or to simply get information on visiting the museum, contact Jessica Bush and her staff at the museum.  It is well worth the trip!!!