Village shows life in 1830s

On May 21 from 1-4 p.m., Allaire Village Inc. will present Village Life at the Howell Works. Admission is free. Owned and developed by James P. Allaire during the 1830s, the Howell Works was a thriving industrial town, iron producing being the main industry.

The houses and businesses will provide visitors with insight into what life was like at the time of great transition – when people were leaving their agricultural past for an industrial future. Village Life at the Howell Works allows the visitor to step back to that time.

Historically dressed volunteer museum interpreters will introduce guests to trades which are rarely seen now – blacksmith, pattern making, tinsmith. In the homes, the women of the village talk about the domestic life of the workers as they do chores such as laundry, ironing and mending, or relax with some indoor as well as outdoor games and amusements. Visitors will also get an opportunity to witness and participate in a muster of the Howell Works Volunteer Company of the Militia.

Allaire Village Inc. is licensed by the state to operate the 40-acre Historic Village at Allaire. Allaire Village is able to present, throughout the year, many educational and interpretive programs.

These programs are made possible by the support of private donations, membership fees, fundraising events, admission fees, patronage of the general store and bakery, and an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Depart-ment of State.

The Historic Village at Allaire is in Allaire State Park on Route 524 (Atlantic Avenue), Wall Township, just outside Howell. For more information contact the Historic Village at Allaire office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at (732) 919-3500 or visit the Internet Web site www.allairevillage.org/