Allaire Village Helps Civil War Living History Come to Life

By Joseph Bordonaro · Originally published October 2017 · p. 26

Sister Veronica, portrayed by Judi Buncher, speaks of her experience as a nurse aboard the USS Red Rover. (Christopher C. Wantuck)

The old iron-making village of Allaire, N.J., (known as the Howell Works in the 19th century) is now an open air living history museum. Costumed interpreters bring the 1830’s heyday of the

Rich Mendoza, Brian Ross, and John Suchernick, of the Libby Prison Minstrels, entertain visitors outside the Foreman’s House. (Christopher C. Wantuck)

Rich Mendoza, Brian Ross, and John Suchernick, of the Libby Prison Minstrels, entertain visitors outside the Foreman’s (Christopher C. Wantuck)

Howell Works to life for the visiting public. Over the weekend of July 17-18, Allaire hosted a Civil War Weekend that brought the 1860 period to life. Featured were soldier encampments, a skirmish, musical performances, appearances by President Lincoln and his Secretary of State, William H. Seward, and many other attractions and personalities. The event is a popular attraction for the Village and brings in a large number of visitors. The skirmish is probably the most popular event of the day, but once inside the Village, visitors often spend quite a bit of time exploring the many existing buildings, visiting and interacting with the living history community who devote their weekend to bringing historical events to the present. Special thanks are due to the management of Allaire Village, Inc., for hosting the event, and to Tom Burke, organizer of the Civil War Weekend. The Civil War Weekend event at Allaire Village is one of a very few remaining Civil War events held in New Jersey and its popularity is evidence of a greater need for this type of family friendly living history in the state.

The Fort Delaware Cornet Band entertains visitors to the Village’s General Store. (Christopher C. Wantuck)

General Grant, portrayed by Rich Hill, and his wife Julia Dent Grant, portrayed by Sharri Gifford, made an appearance at the Village. (Joe Bordonaro)

President Lincoln, portrayed by Robert Costello, and Sec. of State Seward, portrayed by Steve Curcio, share a funny story. (Christopher C. Wantuck)

Bill Watson and Shari Watson. Bill is the great grandson of William Torpes, a soldier in the 7th N.J., Co. D.