Founder's Birthday Party Planned For Allaire Village In Wall

WALL, NJ — Celebrate the birthday of the founder of Allaire Ironworks, James P. Allaire, on Saturday at the Historic Village of Allaire .

Allaire, who was born July 12, 1785, bought the property now called the "Historic Village at Allaire" in 1822.

He created the largest iron-producing site in New Jersey during the 1830s. The manufacturing of iron thrived largely due to the self-sufficient industrial community that Allaire planned out.

Allaire was a noted master mechanic and steam engine builder, and founder of the Allaire Iron Works, the first marine steam engine company in New York City, and later Howell Works (est. 1822), in Wall. He is also noted for building both the first compound steam engine for marine use and the first New York City tenement structure, according to the Allaire history on the Allaire Village website.

In honor of his birthday, there will be special historical demonstrations this day, including more than a dozen early 19th century craft guilds at the village. The guilds will be demonstrating various crafts. There also will be children's games and activities and tours of the historic homes and craft shops.

This special day includes:

• A Birthday card signing and card making craft for children to make a birthday card and deliver it to Mr. Allaire himself.
• Crafts at most of our historic buildings to include Paper Stars, Wire Hanger Blacksmithing and more.
• Field Games, including sack races, water relays and townball on the Village Green.
• Balloons for kids
• A toast to James Allaire outside the General Store at 1:30 p.m.
• Cake and lemonade to everyone, while supplies last at the Allaire House in the afternoon.
• Book Signing of his book "Allaire" by Hance M. Sitkus, executive director of Allaire Village, in the General Store along with a Q&A session at 2:30 p.m.
• Play "Stump the Historian" and win a 200th anniversary pin
• Music by Tom Billy and his crank organ.
• Allaire Auxiliary Quilt Booth near the General Store.
• Pilsen Gourmet Food Truck on site.

With a general admission ticket of $5, visitors can see historic trades in action, including blacksmiths and tinsmiths, as well as tour our period homes to see how each class in the village lived. Events are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, visit Allaire Village website.