While there is no evidence to indicate a tin Smith Shop existed at the Howell Works during James P. Allaire's ownership, evidence does indicate the site was visited on a regular basis by an itinerant tradesman from Elizabeth City, New Jersey. Today, however, the Historic Village at Allaire boasts a fully operational Tin Smith Shop housed at the bottom of the hill behind the Blacksmith Shop in facilities originally intended as a State Nature Center. The tin smith was an integral part of 19th Century Life, producing the various everyday items used. These included household items such as foot warmers, candlesticks and lanterns, as well as plates, lunch boxes, and even toys. The items were inexpensive and durable and popular during the 19th Century. Today these items make interesting and unique decorative pieces. Working primarily with hand tools such as hammers, snips, shears and punches, the Tin Smiths were able to produce some of the most intricate and decorative arts of the time available for everyday use.
Visitors to the Tin Smith Shop can watch historic interpreters, skilled in the art of tin working, as they produce the household items such as lanterns, candle sticks, match boxes and toys like the popular tin whistles available for sale in the General Store.
While there is no evidence to indicate a tin Smith Shop existed at the Howell Works during James P. Allaire's ownership, evidence does indicate the site was visited on a regular basis by an itinerant tradesman from Elizabeth City, New Jersey. Today, however, the Historic Village at Allaire boasts a fully operational Tin Smith Shop housed at the bottom of the hill behind the Blacksmith Shop in facilities originally intended as a State Nature Center. The tin smith was an integral part of 19th Century Life, producing the various everyday items used. These included household items such as foot warmers, candlesticks and lanterns, as well as plates, lunch boxes, and even toys. The items were inexpensive and durable and popular during the 19th Century. Today these items make interesting and unique decorative pieces. Working primarily with hand tools such as hammers, snips, shears and punches, the Tin Smiths were able to produce some of the most intricate and decorative arts of the time available for everyday use.