The Historic Village at Allaire - Research Facilities

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James P. Allaire was a firm believer in a free public education system and one of the first proponents of a free school in New York City. During his proprietorship of The Howell Works Company, Allaire instituted a school system, based on the Lancastrian Method of Education, at his own personal expense, where he required all the children of the Village to attend classes. It is only fitting, therefore, that the Historic Village at Allaire is an educational facility dedicated to preserving the memory of James Allaire.

Research Library

The Historic Village at Allaire offers research library, located in the Visitor's Centre, which is available for use to the general public by appointment only. Recently remodeled to better utilize the existing space, the library houses a large collection of original Howell Works records, as well as personal papers of the Allaire Family, deeds, certificates, maps, photographs and paintings. The facility also has an extensive anthology of reference works as well as a growing digital library collection. Copies of any of the records held in the library may be requested of the librarian for a nominal charge. The library also offers the use of off-line computers. The Research Library at the Historic Village at Allaire is available by appointment only. Appointments may be made by calling the Historic Village Office at (732) 919 - 3500 Monday through Friday from 10am to 4 pm. Due to the age and condition of some of the collections housed in the Research Library, certain precautions or restrictions may be required for viewing.

Museum Collections Committee

During the past 45 years, The Historic Village at Allaire has become a repository for artifacts, textiles, photographs and documents related to the Howell Works Company, James Peter Allaire, local history and life in 19th Century Monmouth County, NJ. All of the Village's 13 historic buildings are furnished with objects that reflect the time period and the lives of those who lived and worked here. As the caretakers of these wonderful items, the Museum Collections Committee, under the auspices of the Board of Trustees of Allaire Village, Inc., supervises the organization, growth, maintenance, preservation and usage of the collections and is responsible for ensuring all items in the collection are properly handled, stored and preserved.

Artifacts in Barn The Committee annually inventories all of the buildings on site as well as the museum's environmentally controlled storage facilities, verifying records to ensure every the location of every item is known a any given time and that the items in the collection remain safe. Paperwork is routinely updated and research is continually conducted on the usage and history of the various objects in the collection. This includes research on the people who would have used them.

Proper handling, display and storage of the collection is essential to its well being. The Committee advises and directly coordinates all artifacts and furnishings for the historic buildings and exhibit areas. It also actively monitors all storage and exhibit areas to ensure stable environments including the monitoring of temperature, humidity and the blocking of ultraviolet rays form windows and other light sources. All possibly dangers are anticipated and averted including infestation of rodents, mould spores and insects which can potentially cause damage to the artifacts.

The Museum Collections Committee not only manages the artifacts in its trust but also advises of possible additions, sets policies and procedures in preservation and restoration and is entrusted with the task of preserving the museum's treasures for future generations to learn from and enjoy.