Happy New Year From The Historic Village at Allaire
Eagle Scout Project provides access to
hidden
Allaire Secret
Howell Township resident Tim Johnson decided a way to complete his Eagle Scout Service project was by giving back to the Historic Village at Allaire and Allaire State Park, a site he has enjoyed all his life. In doing so, he chose a project which provided access to one of the best kept secrets at the Historic Village at Allaire.
Johnson chose, for his project, the installation of stairs leading from the Blacksmith Shop to the Tinsmith Shop behind it. Originally constructed as the Allaire State Park Nature Center, the Tin Smith Shop site is housed in a basement room at the bottom of the hill behind the Blacksmith Shop and was the least visited site in the Historic Village, a virtual secret. Knowing this, Johnson decided the Historic Village needed access stairs to the shop to attract more visitors.
To complete the project Johnson, and the 40 plus Scouts under his charge, had to cut and stain the lumber, grade the surface and even create the hardware in the Blacksmith Shop. While the stairs are not fully ADA Compliant, Johnson, who joined the Boy Scouts in second grade, designed them to be wide enough and with a low enough grade to make them easily maneuverable, according to Allaire Village, inc. Group Development Manager Abigail Murphy. Village and State officials do hope that a future Scouting project may be to construct a ramp next to the stairs.
To achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Scouting, a young man must earn a minimum of 21 Merit Badges, as well as demonstrate Scout Spirit and leadership qualities, and service to the community. The Scout must also complete the Eagle project, an extensive Service project which he must plan, organize, lead and manage. For Johnson, this included meeting with State and Park officials and the Allaire Village, Inc. Board of Directors to get the necessary permissions and approvals. Johnson also organized fund raisers, got donations from both Home Depot and Lowe's home improvement stores in Howell and from New Jersey Sand and Gravel of Wall. At the completion of the project, Johnson will appear before the Monmouth County Council of Boy Scouts Board, which will determine if the project was completed successfully.
Johnson chose, for his project, the installation of stairs leading from the Blacksmith Shop to the Tinsmith Shop behind it. Originally constructed as the Allaire State Park Nature Center, the Tin Smith Shop site is housed in a basement room at the bottom of the hill behind the Blacksmith Shop and was the least visited site in the Historic Village, a virtual secret. Knowing this, Johnson decided the Historic Village needed access stairs to the shop to attract more visitors.
To complete the project Johnson, and the 40 plus Scouts under his charge, had to cut and stain the lumber, grade the surface and even create the hardware in the Blacksmith Shop. While the stairs are not fully ADA Compliant, Johnson, who joined the Boy Scouts in second grade, designed them to be wide enough and with a low enough grade to make them easily maneuverable, according to Allaire Village, inc. Group Development Manager Abigail Murphy. Village and State officials do hope that a future Scouting project may be to construct a ramp next to the stairs. 
