The American Labor Museum/Botto House National Landmark, also known as “Labor’s Schoolhouse,” has stood as a beacon of light on labor and immigrant studies since opening its doors in 1982. This year, to commemorate its 40th anniversary, free copies of the book The 1913 Paterson Silk Strike: The Children’s Story are being distributed to public school fourth grade classrooms, school libraries and public libraries throughout the state.
“This valuable gift will inspire students, as they learn about the courage, activism and contributions of workers and immigrants”, says Angelica Santomauro, Ed.D., NJEA/NJREA member and the museum’s executive director. “It will also enhance the teaching of New Jersey history for fourth grade teachers, with the inclusion of such an integral event that took place in their own state.”
In 2019, the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC), a division of the Department of State, awarded the museum a grant that enabled Santomauro and the museum’s education director, Evelyn Hershey, to collaborate with artist Thomas Germano of SUNY Farmingdale, editor Mark Torres, and historian Steve Golin, Ph.D. Together, wrote the story of the silk strike through the eyes of four children.
On beautifully and detailed illustrated pages, the story unfolds in a way that enables the reader to compare and contrast the perspectives of two young brothers who needed to work in the silk mills to financially help their family, along with a brother and his sister who had the privilege of attending a public school, with no financial responsibilities. Although the children’s characters are fictional, the actual story and illustrations are based on facts and images of the 1913 Paterson Silk Strike.
The NJHC was awarded a second Project Grant to the Museum, which provided funding to print 30,000 copies of the book for statewide distribution throughout New Jersey.
“We’ll get those books out, even if we have to hand-deliver them ourselves,” Santomauro quips. “We do hope, however, that NJEA members will visit the museum, view the incredible exhibit of oil and watercolor paintings of the books illustrations and pick up enough books for their school district.”
Because postage is not a component of the grant, the museum hosted book distribution on Jan. 19 that featured the original paintings that illustrate the book, with Germano in attendance. Santomauro and Hershey discussed the book and accompanying teaching materials. NJEA members and librarians from across the state attended picking up books or arranging delivery.
To learn more about the American Labor Museum, please visit labormuseum.net. To volunteer for your community, town, district or school to pick up and distribute free books, please contact the American Labor Museum at (973) 595-7953 or labormuseum@gmail.com.