Major Fraternal Organizations
- Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Paterson Lodge No. 60 (organized 1888)
- Free and Accepted Masons
- Independent Order of Odd Fellows
- Knights of Pythias
- Foresters of America
- Improved Order of Red Men
- Royal Arcanum
- Fraternal Order of Eagles
- Moose Lodge
- Knights of Columbus
- Order Sons of Italy in America
German Organizations
Paterson had one of New Jersey’s largest German-American populations.
- Germania Verein
- Germania Park Association
- Harmonie Singing Society
- Sängerbund
- Turn Verein (German Gymnastic Society)
- Schützen Verein (Rifle Club)
- Edelweiss Society
- German-American Citizens Clubs
- German Sick and Benefit Societies
Irish Organizations
- Ancient Order of Hibernians
- Irish-American Social Club
- St. Patrick’s Friendly Society
- Irish Literary and Benevolent Societies
Italian Organizations
- Sons of Italy Lodges
- Garibaldi Society
- Christopher Columbus Society
- Italian-American Civic Clubs
- Italian Mutual Benefit Societies
- Italian Athletic Clubs
Jewish Organizations
Paterson’s Jewish community supported dozens of organizations, including:
- B’nai B’rith Lodge No. 143
- YMHA / YWHA
- Workmen’s Circle
- Panther Club
- Independent Lodzer Young Men
- Silk City Benevolent Association
- Veritans Club
- Labor Zionist Alliance
- Hebrew Free Loan Association
- Yanover Lodge
- Pabianitzer Society
- Bialystoker Society
- Lodzer Sick and Benevolent Society
Polish Organizations
- Polish National Alliance
- Polish Falcons
- Polish Roman Catholic Union
- St. Joseph’s Society
- Polish-American Citizens Clubs
Dutch Organizations
- Holland Society
- Dutch Reformed Church Men’s Clubs
- Orange Associations
Syrian and Lebanese Organizations
- Syrian-American Club
- Maronite Church Societies
- Lebanese-American Mutual Aid Associations
African-American Organizations
- Prince Hall Masonic Lodges
- Elks Improved Benevolent Protective Order
- NAACP chapters
- Urban League organizations
- Social Improvement Clubs
Outdoor and Recreation Clubs
- Paterson Rambling Club (organized 1908)
- Canoe Clubs
- Hiking Clubs
- Fishing Clubs
- Rod and Gun Clubs
- Bicycle Clubs
- Camera Clubs
- Garden Clubs
- Mountaineering Clubs
Athletic Clubs
- Olympic Athletic Club
- Silk City Athletic Club
- Paterson Athletic Association
- Turners Gymnasium
- YMCA Athletic Clubs
- YWCA Athletic Clubs
Business and Civic Clubs
- Rotary Club
- Kiwanis Club
- Lions Club
- Optimist Club
- Exchange Club
- Chamber of Commerce
- Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees)
Women’s Organizations
- Women’s Club of Paterson
- Daughters of the American Revolution
- Women’s Christian Temperance Union
- Business and Professional Women’s Club
- League of Women Voters
Veteran Organizations
- American Legion Posts
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Jewish War Veterans
- Grand Army of the Republic (19th century)
- Spanish-American War Veterans
Ethnic Mutual Aid Societies
Paterson once had hundreds of these organizations, including:
- Sick Benefit Societies
- Burial Associations
- Mutual Aid Societies
- Landsmanshaften
- Insurance Lodges
- Orphan Aid Societies
- Widows’ Relief Societies
These organizations often owned clubhouses, sponsored parades, picnics, dances, and provided sickness and death benefits long before modern insurance became common.
Notable Historic Social Clubs
- Lincoln Club
- Hamilton Club
- Washington Club
- Columbia Club
- Commonwealth Club
- Paterson Club
- Civic Club
- Rambling Club
- Panther Club
- Veritans Club
- Colonial Club
- Progress Club
- Athletic Club
- Merchants Club