Allaire Village | |
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| Location | 3 mi. SE of Farmingdale on CR 524, Farmingdale, New Jersey |
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| Coordinates | 40°9′31″N 74°7′44″W / 40.15861°N 74.12889°W |
| Area | 330 acres (130 ha) |
| Built | 1750 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001174[1] |
| NJRHP No. | [2] |
| Added to NRHP | January 11, 1974 |
Allaire Village is a living history museum located within New Jersey's Allaire State Park in Wall Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey. The property was initially an Indian ceremonial ground prior to 1650, by 1750 a sawmill had been established on the property[3] by Issac Palmer.[4] The village was later established as a bog iron furnace originally known as Williamsburg Forge[5] 'Monmouth Furnace'[6] was then renamed the Howell Works by Benjamin B. Howell. In 1822,[7] it was then purchased by philanthropist James P. Allaire, who endeavoured to turn into a self-contained community.[8] The wood burning furnace business collapsed in 1846 and the village closed. During its height, the town supported about 500 people.[9] Following his death, the property passed through a number of family members before being used by the Boy Scouts who started to restore the buildings for use as a summer camp. Losing the lease, the property then passed to the State of New Jersey. Allaire Village and its existing buildings are now operated by a non-profit organization - Allaire Village, Inc. Historic interpreters work using period tools and equipment in the blacksmith, tinsmith, and carpentry shops, while the old bakery sells cookies, and general store serves as a museum gift-shop styled store. The church building is frequently used for weddings. The site is also host to community events such as community band concerts,[10] antique sales, weekly flea markets and square dance competitions.[11]
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Monmouth County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Historic Preservation Office. October 25, 2010. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 2, 2007. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
- ^ Honig, Milton; 1958, Ghost Town Opens at a Jersey Park, May 25, 1958, Page 68
- ^ Deserted Village at Allaire Recreates 19th Century Industrial Community, Joe King, The Independent, March 7, 1973, Page 8
- ^ Freudenheim, Betty, 1990, "Crafts - A Fair that's Full of Style", New York Times, July 8, 1980
- ^ Agar, Ruth, March 17, 1960, "Silent Streets of a Deserted Village Return to Life", Freehold Transcript, Page 21
- ^ "Old Monmouth County Village Returning to Life", The New York Times, June 4, 1966, Page 25
- ^ James Peter Allaire Archived August 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine - official Allaire Village website.
- ^ Demonstrations Slated at Allaire, Amy Spiezio, The Independent, July 20, 1994, page 13
- ^ Concert Sunday, The Matawan Journal, August 10, 1972, Page 3
- ^ Square Dance Set for Sunday, Matawan Journal, September 14, 1972, Page 7