Allaire Village - The Foreman’s Cottage

© 2022 Arlequin Photographie

Allaire Village is a living history museum located within New Jersey's Allaire State Park in Wall Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey. The property was initially an Indian ceremonial ground prior to 1650, by 1750 a sawmill had been established on the property by Issac Palmer. The village was later established as a bog iron furnace originally known as Williamsburg Forge. In 1822, it was then purchased by philanthropist James P. Allaire, who endeavoured to turn into a self-contained community. The wood burning furnace business collapsed in 1846 and the village closed. During its height, the town supported about 500 people.

The Foreman’s cottage is the oldest brick building on the property and the first one Mr. Allaire had built in 1827. It is also the third largest house on the property, and was considered a middle-class home at the time. The upstairs window faces the blast furnace which enabled the foreman to monitor the smoke from the furnace from his home.