Allaire Funnies

I have to start off this post by apologizing for shamefully ignoring my blogger duties. In between several big events, a vacation and an earthquake, there really hasn’t been much time. This is being rectified today! (Side note: NJ earthquake…who would’ve thought?!)

Anyway, this week I posed a question on the Allaire Facebook: “Do you have any funny stories about/that took place at Allaire?”

Keith G: Years ago when I worked at Allaire there was a horse stable( Sears Barn) in the village. When we got to work we all had to go roundup the horses from all over the village. He Ha!

Candy U: I’m far away from Jersey and Allaire now, but lived close when my kids were little and Allaire was one of their favorite places to go–we went there at least once a week. Back in the 80′s, there was some horror movie out that had a bad scene in a gazebo. Every time we’d walk the trail past the church at Allaire, my son would run out in the field by the gazebo and try to re-do the movie scene and scare the bejeezus out of his sister :)

Flo S: Sam and I were there early one morning. I was in “My” house and she was upstairs getting ready. When I went up she asked why I’d been ignoring her. I told I’d just gotten there. She was talking to ghost ‘cuz she swore that someone had come up the stairs and gone into another room. We were the only people in the building at the time.

Awesome photo by Laura Howard

Cindy L: Pig iron being mistaken for petrified pigs…

That could be pretty horrifying while explaining the iron production process…

One of my personal favorite stories was seeing a squirrel run into the General Store, steal a twizzler, and run back out again…the next day, the squirrel was dead :( Needless to say, we’ve upped our security against woodland creatures since then.

And Hayrides are a completely separate story...don't even get me started!

Do you have any funny Allaire stories? Let us know! Comment, share, subscribe!

-Hannah

 

The NJ History Fair: Looking Back

Two weeks ago, Allaire Village hosted the 2011 Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair. Due to state budget cuts, the fair had gone on hiatus in 2010 but as one article stated, “it came back with a vengeance” this year! Indeed, it was a huge success! We had a great turn-out and the weather was perfect!

Check out some photos as well as comments by participants and visitors:

Getting ready

Elizabeth K: Had a FANTASTIC time….great job by all involved!

Carl K: My wife and I enjoyed very much. Thank you

Colonial-style dancing!

Elizabeth K: Just came home from the History Fair…was there from 11 to 4 and had a FANTASTIC time…You have outdone yourselves in every way possible. Thank You!

Geoff M: It was an awesome day!!!!!!!!!

Molly Pitcher giving a talk

Jim S: Thanks for helping to bring the Spirit of the Jerseys History Fair back to life. It was a worthwhile event and we at Historic Cold Spring Village were glad to participate.

Tony B: We went to the NJ History Fair today. The weather was terrific and exhibits extremely interesting. The event was well done and it is always a pleasure to visit Allaire.

David L: what an amazing day at the History Fair! Thanks so much to all the re-enactors, volunteers & all involved.

Barn raising

Allaire presented Maria Allaire's wedding

Two young visitors became pirates for a day with the help of Tuckerton Seaport

Playing some 70's classics. 1770's, that is.

Our 1836 villagers did some time travelling.

Plowing demonstrations

What was really lovely were the many visitors and exhibitors commenting on the importance of supporting NJ History education and tourism. Through all of the visitors and positive feedback, we (including all NJ historic sites) can help keep history alive!

Thanks to everyone who participated, volunteered, and visited!

More photos can be found on our facebook page.

-Hannah

Coming to the NJ History Fair? Here’s what you need to know!

So the NJ History Fair is tomorrow and Allaire Village is buzzing with activities & set up. With only one day until the event I figured I would do a post with general information & things you need to know!

When is it?: The event is Saturday, May 7th from 11am to 5pm.

Where is it?: The event is at Allaire Village located within Allaire State Park. Our physical address is: 4265 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, NJ 07727.

How do I get there? Allaire Village is conveniently located off of the Garden State Parkway, exit 98. For specific directions, visit our website.

Do I have to pay?: Admission to the History Fair is free. Allaire Village, Inc. is requesting a $5 parking donation per car.

What if it rains?: The event is rain or shine! As of now, it looks like there might be some light showers in the AM so we advise bringing a raincoat or umbrella, just in case!

Will there be food available on site?: You bet! Food and beverages will be provided by a variety of vendors throughout the Village. Cheeseburgers, BBQ, salads, pizza, iced cream and more will be available.

Who will be there?: There will be over 125 historical sites, organizations, re-enacting units, personalities and more represented at the Fair. For a complete list of exhibitors click here.

A fun event to check out: 1836 Fashion Show at 12, 3 & 4pm at the Gardener's Cottage!

Do the exhibitors operate on certain times? Most of the exhibitors will be active continuously throughout the day (11am-5pm). Certain activities do operate on a schedule, which can be found here.

What will Allaire be doing?: In addition to hosting the Fair, Allaire Village will also be presenting our own activities and performances. Throughout the day check out:

• An 1830′s School Day (12:30pm at the Chapel)
• The Wedding of Maria Allaire (1:00pm at the Chapel)
• Militia Demonstrations (At the Carriage House, continuously throughout the day)
• A special display devoted to Arthur Brisbane (Enameling Building)
• An 1830′s Fashion Show (12:00, 3:00 & 4:00pm at the Gardener’s Cottage)
• Open Heart & Dutch Oven cooking (Manager’s House)
• 19th Century Games (in front of the Allaire Mansion)
• In addition, our Historic Buildings will be open to visitors and tours!
• And more!

What is new this year?: In addition to the Fair being at a new location, there are also new activities and presentations:

• Benjamin Franklin (meet & greet)
• Practitioners of Musick
• Silhouette Images
• Presentation on 18th c Dentistry
• 1836 Wedding
• Colonial Hymn Sing – Allaire Chapel
• Scale model barn raising
• Sheep shearing demonstration
• William Franklin, Loyalist Royal Governor (meet & greet)

Is this event family-friendly?: Absolutely! The Fair is open for people of all ages! There will be fun & educational activities for everyone!

Things to keep in mind:

• Over the past couple of years the Fair has attracted over 6,000 visitors (per event!). For families with young children especially, please be aware of your surroundings and the members of your party. We suggest choosing a specific place to meet in the event of someone getting separated or lost.
• Officers from the NJ State Park Police will be on-site in the case of an emergency.
• The Volunteers and Staff of Allaire Village will be happy to be of assistance for directions, help, or general questions!
• There will be re-enacting units at this event. Cannons and rifles will be fired (at a safe distance from visitors, of course) but be aware that there will be loud noises as a result of this.
• Oh, and have fun!!!

I need more information, who do I call?: Feel free to call our office, at 732-919-3500 or the New Jersey Department of Parks and Forestry at 609-777-0238.

More information can be found on the Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair’s official website.

I will be acting as the official photographer for Allaire Village. If you see me, let me know what you think and I’ll include you in an upcoming blog post!

Hope to see you tomorrow!!

-Hannah

100 Things to do at Allaire Village

Throughout the year, Allaire Village hosts numerous historical events, fundraisers, festivals and concerts to keep history alive and provide family fun to the community. While these 100 activities don’t all happen at a single event, There’s always something fun and educational going on for visitors of all ages to experience at Allaire!

Spring Festival & Market Auction

So what can you do at Allaire Village?

1. Help the Villagers haul water with a 19^th century yoke
2. Watch a puppet show at the Charcoal Depot
3. Have a picnic on the Village Green
4. Meet Mr. Allaire & his family
5. Experience the sights and smells of open hearth cooking
6. Find out what living in an industrial village was like
7. Take a walk or bike ride on the numerous nature trails
8. Play a game of Blind Man’s Bluff with the Villagers
9. Watch the Blacksmith make an S hook
10. Join the Allaire Community & sign up to be a volunteer!
11. Purchase a giant cookie at the Bakery
12. Learn about the iron-ore making process at the Visitor’s Center
13. Take a horse & carriage ride through the Village and woods
14. Check out the fashions of 1836
15. Participate in a militia drill
    

    Don't worry, they're non-firing replicas!

16. Sponsor a duck at our 6^th Annual Ducky Derby
17. Tour the Blast Furnace with the Engineering Guild Master
18. Learn about 19^th century toys at the Carpenter’s Shop
19. Get married at Allaire!
20. See an exhibit on Arthur Brisbane, the man who made it all possible at the Enameling Building
21. Go fishing at the Mill Pond
22. Learn about the importance of The Howell Works in the 1830’s
23. Play a game of graces
24. Take part in the Election of 1836
25. Come to one of our Flea or Craft Markets
26. Visit the Wheelwright shop
27. Check in when you arrive at Allaire’s Foursquare page
28. Watch a quilt being made
29. Learn about the “current affairs” and pressing issues of 1836
30. Book a guided group tour
31. Visit during Autumn while the leaves are changing
32. Tour the Allaire Mansion
33. Experience an 1830’s school lesson
34. Figure out what the Climbing Bear helps you to learn
35. See the water wheel in the Visitor’s Center
36. Peek inside the Foreman’s Cottage
37. Help the Villagers garden
38. Ask about becoming an Allaire Village Member
39. Have your picture taken with a Villager
40. See how apple cider was made on a historic cider press
41. Explore a “modern” 1836 kitchen in the Manager’s House
42. Shop at the General Store & Museum Gift Shop
43. Take a ride on the Pine Creek Railroad
44. Experience 19^th century music
45. Find out what courting (dating) was like in 1836
46. Spend some time with the Tinsmith
47. Enjoy good music, good company, and great wine at our Annual Wine & Jazz Festival in September
48. See an old sleigh in the Carriage House
49. Take a lantern-lit tour during the Holiday season
50. Come see one of our night concerts
51. See what life was like without electricity
52. Explore The Howell Works Post Office located in the General Store
53. Ask about the stars on the outside of the buildings
54. Learn to Virginia Reel
55. See Allaire photos throughout the year on our Flickr page
56. Find out why the steeple is on the back of the Chapel
57. Take one of our Haunted Hayrides during October
58. Take a leisurely stroll through the Village any time of the year
59. Meet Sherlock Holmes, Edgar Allan Poe, Scrooge & others at our Cultural Events
60. Use a 19^th century hand drill at the Carpenter’s Shop
61. See Maria Allaire get married in June
62. Help the Villagers on laundry day
63. Find out why the shop signs have pictures on them as well as words
64. Take part in a Market Auction
65. See butter being churned
66. Try walking on stilts (not as easy as it sounds!)
67. Learn how bread was made
68. Have a cup of hot apple cider or hot chocolate at the Bakery on a cold day
69. See hundreds of antique cars & motorcycles at our Rolling Iron Antique Auto Show in August
70. Learn how the Village produced iron in the Visitor’s Center
71. Try on a bonnet or top hat at the General Store & Museum Gift Shop
72. Play apple toss & apple snap
73. Meet Reverend Tanser, Emeline Johnson, John Roche & other Villagers
74. Take home some 19^th century recipes
75. Watch a quilt being made
76. Learn about the education of girls and women at the Howell Works
77. Have a three-legged race across the Village Green
78. Help the villagers with some 19^th century chores
79. Learn what it took to be an apprentice to a blacksmith or carpenter
80. Visit when Allaire hosts The Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair on May 7^th!
81. Root for your favorite team (or join in) at a townball game
82. Paint a pumpkin during our All Hallows’ Eve event
83. Learn all the “latest” Village gossip
84. Bring your dog to an outdoor event (we love friendly canine visitors!)
85. Flip through The Girls’ Own Book in the Manager’s House 
86. See the original Allaire Family Bible on display in the Allaire Mansion
87. Check out the Collier’s Mound on the Village Green
88. Follow us on Twitter
89. Find out what happened to the Village after 1836
90. Talk to Union soldiers during the Civil War Encampment in May
91. Help make a jigsaw puzzle
92. Find out what happened if you were caught sleeping in class
93. Jump in the leaves!
94. Post comments, suggestions, or stories on our Facebook page
95. Learn what being an immigrant was like in the early 19^th century
96. Take a photo of the Village and have it featured on our Flickr page & blog
97. Have a BBQ on the picnic grounds
98. Learn proper chivalry by having a Villager teach you to bow or curtsy
99. Bring your camera and take beautiful photos of the Village during any season
100. Sign up for our mailing list and receive updates, newsletters, and more!

So come out to Allaire and try something new!

Thanks to all our Facebook friends and fans who shared their favorite Allaire experiences and helped compile this list!

-Hannah

New Year, New Blog Posts!

Happy 2011! Well it’s a new year at Allaire and almost an entire year since this blog was created! We’re starting fresh this year and are busy thinking up new events, new training seminars and new reasons for people to stop-by the Village.

Our first blog feature of 2011 was an easy one to put together. We posted this question on our Facebook page: “When you think about Allaire Village what’s one word/phrase that comes to mind?” Not going to lie, kind of got the idea from elementary school projects but it was fun and we got tons of great responses! Check some of ‘em out!

Jon C: Big cookies

Mary B: Cook out!

Alyssa R: Eerie

Rhoda C: Trails/Natural Beauty, little Chapel, blacksmith & train.

Kristen D: Peaceful. Loved camping there….

Gary D: Old school

Cindy R: Home!

Flo S: Escape (from the “real” world, not Allaire)

Devon C: Work-in’, work-in’! Or maybe, clunk-whoosh (the sound of the bellows)

Howie N: The Blast Furnace!

Hance S: Family history and “home”.

Kathleen P: Relaxing, peaceful.

Greg D: Frank.

Frank.

Darren D: History

Jackie F: Quiet

Tom P: Educational

Kathy H: Tranquil

Doreen N: Peaceful…

Terri D: Unique

Buffy B: Wonderful!

Tina S: Happy memories

RM T: Makes history come alive

Jennifer H: Enchanting!

Denise I: Pine Creek RR

Thanks to everyone who participated!

-Hannah

Ben Franklin, you’re kind of a big deal.

Let me just apologize for being a horrible blog avoider this past week…or two weeks. While I can think of tons of excuses I’ll just say I’ve been waiting for responses for our historical characters feature and in the meantime had nothing to write about. Whilst waiting for our volunteers to send me their answers I figured I’d post the question (if you could meet any historical character who would it be/why?) on our fancy-schmancy Facebook page. Since our visitors/facebook friends are awesome we got lots of responses…the majority of which are for Ben Franklin. Here’s what a couple of them sent in:

Lisa F: Ben Franklin -that man had an amazing mind!

Diane C: Benjamin Franklin! Statesman, countryman, scientist and incontrovertible flirt!

Rhoda C: Benjamin Franklin…. One of America’s smartest and greatest Leaders.

I get it, he’s a big deal. Most definitely a Renaissance Man- a writer, politician, inventor, thinker, scientist, etc. If you’re interested in learning more about Ben Franklin, I enjoyed 9 Things You Didn’t Know About Ben Franklin. Also, Ben Franklin- Facts and Fallacies.

This is not Ben Franklin.

Also, he has an action figure. Which is pretty cool.

Stick around, next week I’ll be posting another historical figure feature where you can find out who our Villagers would meet!

Over and Out,

Hannah

Historical Figures, and why we want to bug them

“If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be and why?” Anyone who remotely paid attention during their 12+ years of education has probably gotten this question before. It could have been a question in kindergarten, an SAT writing prompt, or a discussion during History class. Why is this such a universal opportunity for pondering? Possibly we just want a connection with history and the people who made it.

So for the month of July I’m asking Allaire staff, volunteers, visitors, and blog-viewers this possibly cliche yet always interesting question: “If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be and why?” A poet? A politician? A circus performer? And don’t worry, there’s no need to write a novel.

Happy History Hunting,

Hannah

53 years of memories

The Historic Village at Allaire opened as a living history museum in 1957. Since then, thousands of visitors, volunteers, and staff have come and gone (and stayed), making Allaire a diverse and wonderful place. One of my favorite things is hearing stories and memories from visitors. Here’s some contributions from our visitors! (Full names have been omitted).

“Haven’t been there in years… my dad used to volunteer at the Pine Creek railroad, on slow days the engineer used to let us kids ride all day :) My step brother got married in the church, the rules were severe, but the setting was beautiful.” -Hank D.

“My parents were from Sea Girt and some of my earliest memories are of visiting Allaire in the 60′s. Those early memories were a foretaste of my future as I am now Deputy Director of a “sister” Early American living history museum in South Jersey.” -Jim S.

“(The village) has some great memories from when I was growing up and bringing my daughter there. My cousins used to camp there in the summer…great memories!!” -Pat R.

“I grew up on Allaire Road and Allaire Village has always been one of my favorite places. I remember it before the restorations”. -Linda E.

“I was a naturalist at Allaire State Park through the 60′s and 70′s, a period of rapid expansion. It was nice to find this site and realize that the park and Deserted Village (it was called the Howell Works back then) are alive and kicking.” -Bud D.

“My mom and dad took my sister and I to Allaire as children and we loved it. We carried on the tradition with our children, and now we take our grandgirls there ever Spring and Fall as often as possible.” -Ellen H.

“Back in 1964 our family homestead was torn down for progress. It was built in the 1850′s, the same time period as the Big House. The family donated to Allaire the windows, staircase, and other period materials…Whenever I visit I like to think there is a part of the old family homestead surviving there especially when I look at a certain bubble in a window pane that I am sure is the same one I was mesmerized with as a kid.” -Susan H.

Thank you to all who’ve shared your stories and memories.

Sincerely,

Hannah