The American Labor Museum is housed in the Botto House National Landmark, a 1908 Victorian home, which belonged to Italian immigrant and silk mill worker, Pietro Botto and his wife Maria.
It was the meeting place for over 20,000 silk mill workers during the 1913 Paterson Silk Strike. The strikers called for safe working conditions, an end to child labor, and an eight-hour day.
This action and others like it brought about reforms in the workplace that are broadly enjoyed by Americans today.
The museum offers visitors restored period rooms, changing exhibits, Old World Gardens (including a bocce court, grape arbor, root cellar and chicken coop), a free lending library, and Museum Store. Annual special events include exhibit receptions, book talks, teachers’ workshops, Workers’ Memorial Day observance, May Day Festival, Labor Day Parade and more.
Group tours are welcome by appointment by calling the Museum at 973-595-7953. The on-site fieldtrip programs for grades 4-12, Millworker/Millowner (in conjunction with Lambert Castle Museum and the Great Falls National Historical Park) and Labor Education Tour (in conjunction with the Paterson Museum and the Great Falls National Historical Park) are full-day field trips. Learn more by contacting the Museum at 973-595-7953 or email labormuseum@gmail.com.
