THE HISTORIC VILLAGE AT ALLAIRE - Key Persons
Alex started as an intern in the spring of 2021 largely working in the Research Library and museum collections. In 2023 she helped open the Research Library to the public for the first time in 30 years! Alex studied cultural anthropology and history at Stockton University, with a passion for understanding the present world by studying the past. In her free time, she can be found drawing, playing video games, or taking care of her guinea pigs. Alex can be reached at acapobianco@allairevillage.org.
Job Titles:
- Allaire Auxiliary Representative, Ellie Eith
Job Titles:
- Treasurer of the Board of Trustees
Cynthia Dwyer's love of Historic Allaire Village dates back to her childhood and many memorable visits to the village with her grandfather. She began her career at Allaire as a Tour Guide and was thrilled to move to working with couples on planning their dream wedding. Cynthia is married with two children and one beloved rabbit. She enjoys watching her children's' sporting events, spending time with her friends and volunteering with Rescue Ridge, a local animal rescue organization. For more details about weddings, Cynthia can be reached at cdwyer@allairevillage.org.
Job Titles:
- Director of Development & Operations
Daryl brings over 35 years of experience to Allaire in Communications, Fundraising, Non-Profit Management, Development, Operations, Sales, Sports & Retail Marketing, Event Planning & Promotion, Advertising, Social Media & Public Relations. She is dedicated to seeing Allaire Village be maintained properly along with growing and thriving as a premier living history museum in New Jersey. Born and raised on the Jersey Shore, she visited the historic village as a child. Daryl's fondest memory includes attending the craft show with her mother and getting cookies at the Bakery. Daryl has a passion for trying new ideas, writing children's books, painting, antiques, embroidery, miniatures, and learning something new everyday. Daryl can be reached at Doconnell@allairevillage.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Museum Collections Manager
Felicity started as an intern at Allaire in 2017, working largely with our museum's artifacts and collection. In July 2021 she became the museum's first full-time Museum Collections Coordinator! She has been visiting the Historic Village at Allaire since she was a child, and volunteered at the village during middle school. Felicity received her Master's in Museum Professions from Seton Hall University and has a passion for history and nature. You can find her around the village inventorying the museum's historical collections and working at events. Felicity can be contacted at fbennett@allairevillage.org.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Member of the Board of Trustees
The youngest member to be elected to the Allaire Village Inc. (AVI) Board of Trustees in 2002, Hance served on various committees of the Board of Trustees, and has been the Board's Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Chairman. In November 2017, Hance entered into a contract to lead and serve as the Village's Executive Director. His family has lived and worked in the Allaire area since the 1600s. At age 12, Hance started off as a historical interpreter, became AVI's first paid Retail Sales Manager in the 1990s and later coordinated exhibits at the Enameling Building. He is author of "Images of America, Allaire" and "The Allaire Coloring Book." From 2009 to 2015 Hance served as our General Store Manager on a volunteer basis, logging over 1,200 volunteer hours annually. In May 2014, Hance opened his own accounting firm, Hance Accounting & Business Advisors, LLC, in Sea Girt, NJ. Prior to that he was the Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of Visible World, Inc. located in NYC. Hance holds a BS in accounting and a BA in public relations, journalism, and history from Lehigh University. He enjoys travelling, especially train travel across the United States and Canada! Hance looks forward to applying his unique business and professional background to formulate a long-term sustainability plan for the village, advising the Board of Trustees, strengthening Allaire's management team, enriching the visitor experience, and ensuring Allaire's status as the premiere living history museum in the State of New Jersey. Contact Hance at 732-919-3500 Ext 15 or hsitkus@allairevillage.org
Job Titles:
- Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Museum Education & Tour Coordinator
Lauren "Ren" has been with Allaire since the summer of 2013. They started out as a volunteer and then moved to work in the bakery where they stayed from 2014 to 2018. Ren graduated from the University of Tampa in May of 2020 with a Bachelor's degree in Film & New Media. Ren is incredibly excited to be back with Allaire to be a part of the museum education department and is ready to provide the best experience for those who are planning on coming out for a tour! During certain village days, they may be found sewing or mending in our historic homes. In their free time, Ren likes to create short films, cosplay, and sew. Ren can be reached at lkelly@allairevillage.org
Leah Wilderotter has been with us since 2010 and started as a bakery clerk. She then worked her way to being the General Store Manager. Leah graduated from Monmouth University with a Communication degree. She is also one of our blacksmiths for tours. She has a passion for reading and being outside. When she is not working in the office, you can catch her helping to run events or giving history about the park. Leah can be reached at lwilderotter@allairevillage.org
Job Titles:
- Historical Programming & Volunteer Manager
Linnea is the newest addition to the Allaire Village team. After studying history and anthropology at Mary Baldwin College, Linnea went on to earn a doctorate in archaeology from the University of Manchester. Linnea developed a passion for learning about moral and medical reform movements while studying the rich (and often tense) relationship between wellbeing and industrialization in nineteenth century America. Linnea is excited to share her enthusiasm for learning about life in the past with the folks at Allaire Village! In her free time, Linnea enjoys hiking, gardening, baking, and writing about health in the past. Linnea can be reached at LKuglitsch@AllaireVillage.org.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Secretary of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Allaire Auxiliary Representative, Ellie Eith