The Foremans Cottage | The Row Homes | The Manager's House | The Gardener's Cottage | The Allaire Mansion

The oldest building in the Historic Village at Allaire, the Manager's House was constructed ca 1750, most likely by Isaac Palmer who operated a saw mill on the site at the time. The spacious house is indicative of an upper class home of the time having closets, a minimum of one window in each room and a root cellar with a summer hearth. The structure, built at a time when British taxation laws were in effect, has 10 windows and 6 closets, luxuries at the time. The eight room home had four bedrooms, two kitchens and both front and back parlors.

During 1836, the height of production at the Howell Works Company, the home was occupied by James Parshal Smith, his wife Elizabeth and their four children. James Allaire, who spent the majority of his time in New York, found it necessary to have a General Manager, such as Smith, to oversee the operations at the works. Smith was the highest paid employee at the Howell Works Company and in 1836 earned approximately $2,500 US affording him an opulent lifestyle. Aside from overseeing the operations at the Works, the Smiths would also be responsible for entertaining business associates of James Allaire on his behalf. As well as being used as a residence for the General Manager and his family, during the operations of the Howell Works Company the home was also used at various times to house the chief clerks of the Furnace Office and the General Store.

Today, visitors to the Manager's House will be greeted by the Ladies of the Food Ways Guild, who demonstrate the art of open hearth cooking. Using authentic 19th Century receipts, these costumed interpreters prepare everything from a light tea to a full Thanksgiving Dinner to the delight of their guests. Always happy to answer any questions about the house or the items they are cooking, these ladies are also willing to share their recipes. The younger ladies of the Historic Village also exhibit their talents at the Manager's House, demonstrating spinning, cider pressing, sewing and other household chores.