Hinchliffe Stadium Honored as Top Preservation Project

The renovation of Hinchliffe Stadium was a triumph for Paterson, and now the Richard H. Driehaus Award is another win for the city.

On October 28, Hinchliffe Stadium gained national recognition by winning the prestigious Richard H. Driehaus Foundation National Preservation Award. Other winners included Barton Academy, a "temple to education" in Mobile, Alabama, and the Journal Square Block in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Richard H. Driehaus National Preservation Awards honor the top preservation projects nationwide, showcasing innovative preservation methods or technologies.

The award criteria include:

• Impact of the project on the community, including economic impact
• Quality and difficulty of the project
• Uniqueness or pioneering nature of the project, or its influence on others
• Projects of all sizes, with special consideration for those using creative or innovative techniques to solve preservation problems and serve as models for other projects

Hinchliffe fulfilled all the criteria, aiming for improvement with a parking garage, senior housing, 7,800 seats, and views of Paterson's historic buildings. Located next to School No. 5, which holds its field day at Hinchliffe, the stadium is also close to Mary Ellen Kramer Park and the National Historic Great Falls.

With its incredibly rich history and its prime, strategic location, developers quickly saw the vision and knew without a doubt that the project had to be completed.

Bryan Verssahelt from RPM Development, a Paterson native, said he loves sports and that Hinchliffe was part of a bigger picture for him. He stated, "We had to keep the stadium exactly how it looked back in 1932. That was our biggest struggle—making it historically accurate."

The partnership between RPM Development and BAW Development played an absolutely crucial role in the process of rebuilding the structure. This collaboration was instrumental in ensuring the success of the project. They also made the thoughtful decision to include an educational museum, which highlights and celebrates the rich history of the Negro Leagues, midget car races, and the overall fascinating history of Hinchliffe. This addition serves as a valuable resource for educating the public and preserving the legacy of these important historical elements.

The "Real Field of Dreams," as Mayor Sayegh calls it, is one of only two remaining Negro League ballparks and was once home to the New York Black Yankees. Today, the NJ Jackals call it home.

This year marks a significant milestone as the National Trust for Historic Preservation proudly celebrates its 75th anniversary. In honor of this momentous occasion, the organization is dedicating its efforts to recognizing and paying tribute to structures and sites where history is preserved and will never be forgotten. Through this celebration, the National Trust aims to highlight the importance of these historic places and their role in keeping the stories of the past alive for future generations.

Hinchliffe Stadium: a field, a ballpark, an arena—and a haven for African American baseball players who, at the time, weren’t allowed to play elsewhere. Mayor Sayegh states, “Bringing it back is not only bringing back the structure, but those memories.”