Passaic County's Revolutionary War, industrial, baseball history to be focus of TV shows

• The first of two NJ PBS episodes will focus on Dey Mansion, Ringwood Manor and Long Pond Ironworks.
• The second episode will focus on Paterson's industrial and baseball history.

Two new episodes of "Travels with Darley" focusing on Passaic County history and culture are scheduled to air this month as part of the show's 12th season.

The episodes, funded in part by Passaic County's Department of Cultural and Historic Affairs, include the latest in the Darley Newman-hosted series' Revolutionary Road Trip arc and an accompanying exploration of the region’s industrial past and baseball lore, according to information released on Friday.

The first episode, "New Jersey: Revolutionary Road Trip Part IV," will air March 22 at 5 p.m. on NJ PBS and will highlight Passaic County’s role in the American Revolution. Featured locations include Dey Mansion, Washington’s headquarters for parts of 1780; Ringwood Manor, a key ironmaking site; and Long Pond Ironworks, once an important producer of iron for the Continental Army. 

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The episode also covers landmarks such as Lambert Tower, Garret Mountain Reservation, Paterson's Great Falls and Hinchliffe Stadium, and local restaurants including The Barrow House in Clifton, Bottagra in Hawthorne and Lakeside Diner in Ringwood, the release said.

Ringwood Manor and Long Pond Ironworks, some of the county's most important historical locations, were tied to the war effort by their production of iron.

Ringwood's iron industry, first developed in the 1740s, also later became the center of operations for Robert Erskine, Washington’s chief mapmaker, who produced more than 200 maps for the Continental Army before he died in 1780.

Long Pond Ironworks, founded in 1766, was part of an extensive iron-producing operation. It supplied everything from tools to components for the "great chain" stretched across the Hudson River to block British ships, local historical records show. 

Dey Mansion, Built around 1770, served as Gen. George Washington’s headquarters during the summer and fall of 1780, at a time when his forces were regrouping in New Jersey. The estate belonged to Theunis Dey, a prominent landowner and early Rutgers University trustee. Washington’s time at Dey Mansion included overseeing an attack on Bull’s Ferry and responding to the exposure of Benedict Arnold’s treason in late September 1780.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the rich history and cultural significance of Passaic County,” said County Commissioner John Bartlett. “From our Revolutionary War landmarks to our parks and vibrant communities, these episodes capture what makes Passaic County such a special place to live, visit and explore.”

In 2023, Passaic County officials approved an $85,000 contract for a half-hour episode of "Travels with Darley" focusing on the county’s Revolutionary War history that was guaranteed to air on PBS. While the show airs on some PBS stations and the new episodes are scheduled to appear on NJ PBS, it is not distributed by PBS, which according to its website prohibits pay-to-play productions. 

“Public television stations also take shows like this one from other places, sort of akin to syndication,” said Jason Phelps, PBS’s senior director for corporate communications.

The second episode, "New Jersey’s Silk City & Baseball," airing March 29 at 5 p.m., examines Paterson’s history as an industrial hub and the evolution of its diverse communities. Its featured locations include the American Labor Museum, the Passaic County Arts Center, Lambert Castle, the Paterson Museum, Peru Square, Little Falls and Peckman Preserve. 

Paterson, founded as the first planned industrial city in the United States, became a major center for silk production in the 19th century. Silk production in Paterson started in 1840 but flourished only after the Civil War, when tariffs on imported silk gave American manufacturers an edge. By the 1880s, it was producing nearly half of the country’s silk, National Park Service records show. 

The city’s dominance in silk manufacturing even influenced its identity in other areas, including sports. From 1896 to 1899, the Paterson Silk Weavers represented the city in minor league baseball. One of the team’s most notable players was Honus Wagner, who played for Paterson in 1896 and 1897 before making his major league debut.  

The episode also includes a visit to the Yogi Berra Museum and stops at local restaurants, including Ethan and the Bean in Little Falls, Leña y Carbón in Paterson, and Mexico Restaurant in Passaic.

“We are honored to have 'Travels with Darley' showcase the city of Passaic and our broader county,” said Mayor Hector Lora. “This is a wonderful opportunity to share our rich heritage, vibrant culture, and the resilience of our communities with a national audience.”