The Historic Village at Allaire - The Caprenter Shop

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The Carpenter Shop replaced a smaller wooden structure in 1835, the year of the largest expansion at the Howell Works Company. One of the most important structure at the Works, the shop was where the wooden patterns were produced for use on the Casting Shed floor. These wooden patterns, generally made of mahogany because of its durability, were taken by the molders to create the sand molds from which the iron products were cast.

It appears there were only three carpenters employed at the Howell Works Company at any given time, however without complete employment records for the mid 1830's, the possibility does exist there were more. Of the three who were employed we know through researching the company records, one was a Wheelwright. The Wheelwright Shop was added onto the building shortly after its completion in 1835. The original Monmouth Furnace Carpenter Shoppe was located on the present Village Green, somewhere between the General Store and the Blast Furnace near the location of the original wood structure Blacksmith Shoppe.

Anvil Pattern The Carpenters, who produced approximately 600 patterns, were among the most skilled craftsmen under James Peter Allaire's employ at the Howell Works and certainly among the highest paid. Company records seem to indicate the prevailing wage of $2.00 (USD) a day for the skilled craftsmen and workers at the Works and the carpenters undoubtedly were earning that much. To put this into perspective, a common denomination of currency at the time was a Tanner valued at 6 1/2 cents.

Visitors to the Carpenters Shoppe today can see our Master Craftsmen using period tools to fashion patterns for the molders located at the Blacksmith Shop, just as their predecessors did 170 years ago. Our skilled carpenters also fashion delights for the young ones such as our popular Climbing Bear toys. Jigsaw Puzzles, Carrousels, and Clothespin Dolls, all of which are available for purchase at the General Store.