Series: Paterson, NJ, WWII Heritage City Lessons

Three lessons with a culminating fourth lesson, develop an understanding the significance of Paterson, New Jersey, an American World War II Heritage City. Highlights include defense industries, participation of women and African Americans in work during wartime, and civilian volunteerism. The lessons highlight specific contributions but connect to larger themes and understandings of the U.S. home front during wartime. A mix of primary and secondary sources are used, along with photos and media.

  • Article 1: A Series of Lessons on Paterson, New Jersey, WWII Heritage City

    Color postcard that says

    Three lessons, and culminating fourth lesson, support the development of understanding the significance of Paterson, New Jersey designated as an American World War II Heritage City. Highlights include defense industries, the heightened participation and increase in opportunities for women and African Americans in work during wartime, and civilian volunteerism. The lessons highlight specific contributions but connect to larger themes and understandings of the U.S. home front/ Read more

  • Article 2: (H)our History Lesson: African American Contributions on the Home Front in Paterson, New Jersey, WWII Heritage City

    color postcard of brick factory and surrounding neighborhood

    This lesson is part of a series teaching about the World War II home front, with Paterson, New Jersey, an American World War II Heritage City. The lesson includes readings helping students understand the challenges African Americans in Paterson encountered on the home front, as well as some of their contributions. The lesson examines challenges at the vocational school, acknowledgement of local African American service members, and tolerance talks among faith leaders. Read more

  • Article 3: (H)our History Lesson: Women’s Contributions to the Home Front in Paterson, New Jersey, WWII Heritage City

    Black and white photo of a woman on the phone

    This lesson is part of a series teaching about the World War II home front, with Paterson, New Jersey, an American World War II Heritage City. The lesson contains photographs and newspaper articles to contribute to learners’ understandings about the home front contributions of women in Paterson. Women worked and served in many ways in Paterson during World War II. The lesson does not cover all roles and specifically focuses on paid war industry work and service. Read more

  • Article 4: (H)our History Lesson: Children’s Home Front Volunteerism and Service in Paterson, New Jersey, WW II Heritage City

    Black and white photo of group of kids with scraps and piles of paper

    This lesson is part of a series teaching about the World War II home front, with Paterson, New Jersey an American World War II Heritage City. The lesson contains readings and photos about how youth volunteered and contributed to home front war efforts. This included participation in the Junior Red Cross, collecting and making items for soldiers or humanitarian efforts, supporting material drives, and helping raise money in campaigns, such as for the United Jewish Appeal. Read more

  • Article 5: (H)our History Lesson: Paterson, New Jersey: Comparing and Connecting WWII Home Front cities

    Black and white photo fo a woman working on a metal cylinder

    Part of a series teaching about the World War II home front, with Paterson, New Jersey, an American World War II Heritage City. The lesson contains primary and secondary sources, and a culminating project. The culminating project taps into learners’ understandings of the city as a WWII Heritage City, combining lesson themes from the three other lessons in the Paterson, New Jersey lesson collection. This is to summarize the city’s contributions to the US home front efforts. Read more

Tags: paterson new jersey american world war ii heritage city program awwihc world war ii wwii wwii aah women in world war ii civic engagement world war ii home front world war ii home front mobilization military and wartime history women's history teaching with historic places twhp twhplp