Sunday April 18 • 1 - 4 p.m. • Admission Free

The 19th Century Bakery differed very much from the bakeries of today, just as did the lives of the bakers. The ovens, charged the previous night, had to be fired; the dough had to be made and allowed to rise; ingredients had to be prepared and all before sunrise. In the 19th century the average person ate approximately one pound of bread per day, however, most homes did not possess bake ovens in their kitchens.  Therefore, the bakers of the 19th century played an important part in the survival of the average person.  Join us at the Historic Village at Allaire on Sunday 24 September from 1 pm to 4 pm for our Demonstrations in 19th Century Brick Beehive Oven Baking and get a feel for what it was like for the bakers of 170 years ago.

The Village Bakers, all Historic Interpreters trained and skilled in the art of 19th Century Baking, will demonstrate the firing of the bake oven while explaining the procedures for reaching and testing the temperature for the various goods being baked.  Visitors will have a chance to see the dough being prepared in a hand made, reproduction 19th Century Dough Trough based on an authentic design, suing the same methods as the bakers of 170 years ago.  The bakers and their apprentices will explain to visitors the procedures for kneading the dough, turning it out, rising the dough, and the preparation of the loaves.

After the bread has completed its final rise, guests will have the opportunity to see the loaves being placed in the oven using the tools of the 19th Century.  As the Bakery fills with the aroma of fresh baking bread, visitors are welcome to enjoy some of the comforts and delectables available for sale, while waiting for the bread to finish.  After a mere 15 minutes the finished product will be ready and the ovens will be unloaded.  At this time our Historic Interpreters will explain the daily routine of the 19th Century baker, including what other items were made, what the duties of the apprentices were and what the preparations for the next day involved.  Later that afternoon, visitors can watch as the wood for the next baking is chopped using 19th Century tools and the oven is charged.

Unfortunately, at this time, the Historic Village at Allaire can not sell the bread we bake in our Beehive Oven, however, the Bakery does offer breads, cookies, and other delights for sale, as well as coffee, tea and other beverages.

While visiting the Historic Village at Allaire be sure to stop by the Trades Shops where our Blacksmiths, Tinsmiths, Carpenters and Wheelwrights will be demonstrating their skills.  Tour the home of the Manager, James Smith and his wife Elizabeth, or take a peek inside the house of the Howell Works Company Foreman Jacob Johnson and his wife Sarah Jane.  A visit to the Carriage House and Stage depot, the latest addition to our  interpretive sites, will give visitors an idea of what travel was like in the early 19th Century when roads were not paved as learn why people preferred to travel in the winter months.  The Gardener's Cottage, behind the Carriage House, is always a pleasant way to while away a few moments while learning about the art of hand Quilting. Don't forget to visit the home of James P. Allaire and his family and take one of the guided tours or stop by the General Store Museum Gift Shoppe.  Browse the aisles filled with handcrafted items made by our Village Tradesmen and Crafters as well as reproduction 19th century house wares, tools and toys and take home a piece of history.