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Allen Heritage Village
Developed by City of Allen in cooperation with Allen Heritage Guild, the Heritage Village is a collection of Allen’s oldest remaining homes, outbuildings and a preserved church. The relocated structures sit on several acres of land in Allen’s old residential area, forming a park where guests can visit and learn about Allen history.
Historic events and exhibits are overseen by Allen Heritage Guild, a volunteer-led organization dedicated to preserving Allen’s history.
- Heritage Village Open House: Every third Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.
- Allen Train Depot: Every second and fourth Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Creation of Allen Heritage Village
The creation of Heritage Village started in 2002 with the renovation of St. Mary Baptist Church, funded by the Allen Community Development Corporation. The City made significant progress in 2003 moving the other selected structures to the village and preparing a master plan for the village. Given the larger size and unique architecture of First Christian Church, the church was sited as the centerpiece of the village. A U-shaped driveway joins the church to St. Mary Drive. Passing directly in front of the church, a wide east-to-west walkway forms a framework for locating the other village structures.
In 2008, an historical architect completed exterior restoration of Allen Christian Church and the two bungalow houses.
Current projects |
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Heritage Village Restoration - Estimated completion 2023 |
Relocation of Historic Barn from Anna, TX |
See what's in the village
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St Mary Baptist Church
Built in 1877, St. Mary Church was organized as an African-American Baptist congregation. It served continually as a house of worship until March 2001 and as a school until 1932. Through it all, the church has retained its unique historical character and charm.
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Allen Christian Church
The congregation of First Christian Church built this Prairie style structure in 1918 to replace its original rectangular building and brush arbor. Its beautiful stained glass windows were given in memory of the Brown, Bush and Ereckson pioneer families, who served Allen by establishing farms, a mercantile, a school and a bank.
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Wetsel House
Wetsel House is the oldest known structure still standing in Allen. An archaeological dig on the original property site concluded the building dates between 1873-1881, with some earlier dated foundation bricks.
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Bolin House
Built around 1920, this one-story Craftsman Bungalow was a popular style during that time. The home was originally located on the Whisenant farm north of the present circle on Allen Drive.
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The Barn at the Allen Heritage Village
The 1,650-square-foot vintage barn was disassembled and relocated from Anna, Texas, to Allen Heritage Village in 2022. The barn's construction dates to the 1890s, making it around 130 years old.
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Lynge House
This bungalow was built in the 1920s for Oscar Lynge. In the 1940s, Allen grocer Henry Cundiff and his family lived there.
WATCH: Historic Barn Reconstruction Timelapse
This historic barn was disassembled and relocated from Anna, Texas, to Allen Heritage Village. The 1,650-square-foot vintage barn dates to the 1890s, making the structure around 130 years old.
WATCH: The Great Allen Steam Locomotive
Allen Heritage Guild is proud to welcome #20 steam locomotive to Allen, TX. The steam locomotive represents Allen’s railroad heritage with the coming of the Houston and Texas Central RR in 1874.
WATCH: Allen's Historic Heritage Village
Heritage Village is comprised of some of Allen’s oldest remaining homes, outbuildings and churches. The structures were relocated and restored to form a park where visitors can enjoy historic exhibits.