Down the Shore

Spring is slowly waking up down the shore, and one sure sign was opening day at the Historic Village at Allaire this weekend, whose season runs from March through the December holidays.

It was a little blustery, so we missed the flea market that was rescheduled, but the sunshine made it perfect for wandering the grounds and spotting the first pops of early greenery. Check out the write up in today’s Field Trip section - this one really does feel like a place you’d visit via school bus.

Field Trip: The Historic Village at Allaire State Park

Why go: Step into a working 1836 iron village with blacksmith demos, historic buildings, and beautiful grounds to wander.

The History

In the early 1800s this site operated as an iron-producing factory, specifically bog iron, an impure form of iron that forms naturally in acidic wetlands like bogs and swamps.

At the time the site was known as Howell Iron Works, a name you’ll see on signs throughout the village. The proprietor was James P. Allaire, a master mechanic and steamship builder.

In the early 1900s, the property was purchased by Arthur Brisbane, a prominent Hearst newspaper editor. His widow Phoebe later deeded the land to the state, helping preserve it as the park we know today.

When visiting, you step back in time to a living museum set in 1836. Don’t be startled if you see people in period costume - they’re not ghosts, but friendly docents who will give you a tour.

What to See

The Chapel: A picture-perfect wedding ceremony spot, this little white chapel has an unusual design quirk: the bell tower sits in the rear rather than the front so the building could support its weight.

The Bakery: Stop in for coffee and a baked good to enjoy along Mill Run. We grabbed an apple strudel stick and some treats for our pup who joined us.

The Blacksmith Shop: Once one of the largest blacksmith forges in New Jersey, this shop produced wagon wheels, tools, and repaired machinery. Today visitors can watch live demonstrations as blacksmiths create items that are sold in the General Store.

• Fun fact: It is believed that in the 1820s, two women, Paty and Mary Fowler, worked here as blacksmiths, an almost unheard-of role for women at the time.

The General Store: Your best stop for a souvenir. The shop is filled with toys, candy, and artifacts, including a DTS Favorite Find: the Courting Candle. 

• This corkscrew candle holder was traditionally burned when a suitor came calling. When the candle burned down, it was time for the gentleman to leave. Fathers could adjust the candle height depending on how much they liked the suitor.

The Carriage House: This building housed sleighs, wagons, carriages, and sledges—many of which are still on display. In 1831 a stage line connected the village to Red Bank, allowing goods from Howell Iron Works to travel to Allaire’s shipping business in New York.

Know Before You Go

• Admission: $5 for adults and children over 4

• Most pathways are stroller-friendly

• The park is dog-friendly, but dogs and strollers must stay outside most historic buildings

Coming Up Next

Allaire Village will host Easter celebrations on March 28 and April 4, featuring an egg hunt, crafts, and a meet-and-greet with the Easter Bunny.

Shore Points

Here are a few headlines that caught our eye this week:

Spotted at Rod’s Tavern: New Jersey Devil (and Team USA hero) Jack Hughes and singer Tate McRae.

DTS Fave Poe Studios is expanding to Oceanport: We’re excited to have another location to get our sweat on for Megabeat pilates, Firebeat, and yoga.

Olive & Oak is expanding their charcuterie and catering business into a full blown cafe: As businesses in Oceanport prepare to accommodate the influx of Netflix studio workers, owner Felicia Achettino is hoping her new place can be a go-to lunch spot for the busy cast and crew.

Weekly Forecast

We’re already missing last week’s weather that wound up hitting over 70 degrees. This week looks like we have to accept that Spring is not quite here yet…

Monday 3/16 - 58°/34° Light Rain

Tuesday 3/17 - 40°/28° Partly Sunny

Wednesday 3/18 - 34°/28° Cloudy

Thursday 3/19 - 42°/34° Mostly Cloudy

Friday 3/20 - 52°/37° Partly Sunny

Saturday 3/21 - 49°/40° Light Rain

Sunday 3/22 - 52°/38° Light Rain

And for the surfers out there, here are the weekly surf conditions in Belmar courtesy of Surf Captain:

Farmer’s Market Roundup

While we’re counting down the weeks until our local farmers market opens (8 more Saturdays until Fair Haven’s), here is our weekly roundup of markets to check out:

• Holmdel: 3/18 Bell Works FRESH Wednesday Farmers and Makers Market

• Ocean Grove: 3/22 Asbury FRESH Winter Farmers Market

And if we are missing any other markets, let us know!

Happenings Down the Shore

Below is a curated list of events you can check out this week including two St. Patrick’s Day Parades this coming weekend in Keyport and Highlands. There’s also plenty of live music throughout the Shore to check out.

If there’s an upcoming event you’d like us to cover, feel free to pass it along!

Monday 3/16

Holmdel - Intro to Pickleball Clinic at Bell Works (9:30 am - register here)

Oceanport - Weekly Trivia at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6:30 pm)

☘️Tuesday 3/17

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Wednesday 3/18

Long Branch - Bingo Night at Beach Bee Meadery (6:30 pm)

Spring Lake - March Book Club: The Book Club for Troublesome Women at Thunder Road Books (6:30 pm)

Thursday 3/19

Holmdel - Sundown Sessions feat. Victoria Taylor at Bar Bella in Bell Works (5 pm)

Long Branch - DIY Earring Workshop by Beabove Designs (6 pm)

Red Bank - Skinny Amigo at Jamian’s (8 pm)

Red Bank - Connor Quigley at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm)

Red Bank - Digba Ogunbiyi Quartet at Triumph Brewing (7:30 pm)

Friday 3/20

Belmar - Patty C + Dan Apy at Beach Haus (7 pm)

Belmar - The Black Tie at Marina Grille (8 pm)

Holmdel - DJ Jaden Y2K Dance Party at Fox Hollow Vineyard (6 pm)

Long Branch - Pasta Making Workshop by Bee's Pasta & Co at Beach Bee Meadery (6 pm)

Manasquan - Vinyl Trio at Harpoon Willy’s (8:30 pm)

Oceanport - Aiden Villa at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6:00 pm)

Red Bank - Moroccan Sheepherders at Jamian’s (9 pm)

Red Bank - Barbara King at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm)

Red Bank - Stringbean featuring Bernard Purdie & Sonny Kenn at Triumph Brewery (9 pm)

Saturday 3/21

Belmar - Garden State Groove at Marina Grille (8 pm)

Highlands - St. Patrick’s Day Parade (2 pm)

Holmdel - Yvonne & Friends Duo at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm)

Keyport - St. Patrick’s Day Parade (1 pm)

Lincroft - Free Weekend Workshop Series at the Monmouth Museum (11 am)

Manasquan - From the Ground at Harpoon Willy’s (8:30 pm)

Oceanport - Locale Pizza Pop-up at Skinny Flowers Brewing (2:00 pm)

Red Bank - The Kicks at Jamian’s (9 pm)

Red Bank - Frank Rainey at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm)

Red Bank - Waiting on Mongo at Triumph Brewery (9 pm)

Sandy Hook - Return of the Ospreys Walk with Beachy Birder Adventures at Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Service Station (4:30 pm - register here)

Sunday 3/22

Belmar - Tim Wildeman at Beach Haus (2 pm)

Holmdel - Valerie Rose at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm)

Red Bank - Atmospheric Trio at Triumph Brewing (1 pm)

Did we miss an event? Let us know.

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