Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson has been awarded a prestigious 2024 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation National Preservation Award, presented by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. After decades of neglect the historic stadium, one of five remaining Negro League ballparks, was rehabilitated and modernized. Hinchliffe celebrated its grand reopening in 2023. Trenton-based architecture and planning firm Clark Caton Hintz handled design for the remarkable restoration.
Built more than 90 years ago, Hinchliffe Stadium was once a shining Art Deco monument to progress and the future. Perched atop Paterson’s Great Falls, Hinchliffe opened in 1932. Negro National League baseball teams the New York Black Yankees and the New York Cubans made it their home. Baseball legends like Josh Gibson, “Cool Papa” Bell and Larry Doby put fans in the seats and points on the board. The venue hosted boxing matches, pro football, stock car racing, live entertainment, war bond rallies and years of high school sports.
Over the years the stadium fell into disrepair. The city of Paterson fought to upgrade and modernize Hinchliffe, but in 1996 it was closed and all but abandoned. It was old, outdated and threatened with demolition. The once-gleaming stadium on the hill became a forgotten eyesore.
In 2018 newly-elected Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh promised to restore Hinchliffe to its former glory. He followed through on his vow and groundbreaking for the $100 million project took place in 2021.
“Hinchliffe Stadium is a national treasure and tells the story of the struggle for racial justice and American integration,” said Mayor Andre Sayegh.
The completely revitalized 7,800-seat stadium features a new playing surface, an upgraded running track, as well as new locker rooms and team facilities. Modern touches include a digital scoreboard, stadium sound system, state-of-the-art lighting and more. Architects took great pains to retain as much of the original stadium as possible.
“It is an honor to have the restoration of Hinchliffe Stadium recognized as a national model for historic preservation,” said Michael Hanrahan, AIA, principal with Clarke Caton Hintz. “The goal was to create an educational opportunity for future generations to learn about this unfortunate past, so that we can continue to move forward collectively.”
Visitors can explore the history of Hinchliffe at the on-site Charles J. Muth Museum, while baseball fans can experience professional baseball with the New Jersey Jackals home games.
