Baking | Casting and Moulding | Colliers | Tanners

During an outing to the Historic Village at Allaire, visitors will have the opportunity to see our Tradesmen and Crafters practicing their arts.  Enter a 19th Century Blacksmith Shop and learn about the functions of the smiths at the Howell Works Company in the early 1800's, as period attired Historic Interpreters demonstrate the age old craft of ironmongery.

Stop by the Carpenter's Shop and gain a better understanding of the role of these artisans in the production of iron products and their importance to the operations of the Howell Works Company.  Using period tools, these craftsmen today produce many of the wooden items seen through the Historic Village.  Spend some time chatting with the Wheelwrights and learn how carriage and wagons wheels were produced, as well as gaining a better understanding of what is involved in wagon and carriage repair and restoration.  Our Coopers will be happy to share their knowledge and expertise in the art of barrel and bucket making with visitors to their shop.

The Historic Village Tinsmith, an itinerant tradesman, is always happy to take on young apprentices teaching them how to fashion tin whistles and other toys of the period.  Watch as he creates items for both the home and work such as barn lanterns, foot warmers, candle holders and lunch pails.

Perhaps your preference is learning about the domestic arts of the time.  A visit to the Manager's House is always a tasteful experience when the ladies of the Food Ways Guild are busy preparing genuine 19th Century delectables and treats using authentic receipts of the time.   During Harvest Season, period attired Historic Interpreters may be seen one the lawn of the Manager's House pressing apples into cider, hand churning butter or putting up preserves.

Throughout the Historic Village visitors can see other domestic arts being demonstrated such as quilting, hand sewing, macramé, soap making,  and candle dipping.  Limners can be seen plying their craft while leather workers repair harness, caners repair chairs and musicians roam the streets playing songs of the time.  Occasionally a visitor might even chance upon one of the steam boat pilots working for Mr. Allaire, as he sits under a tree practicing the nautical arts of scrimshaw or knot tying.

Many of the hand crafted items produced at the Historic Village at Allaire are available for purchase at the General Store Museum Gift Shoppe or on line through this site.  Take home a piece of history from the Historic Village at Allaire.