Why Does History Matter?
Tom Keener, cultural arts manager for the Allen Public Library, has served the city of Allen for 41 years. He argues that history’s relevance today is highly significant. His work with the Allen Heritage Village is a testament to his belief in the value of history, the lessons it teaches, and the humility it can instill in future generations.
“We are built on the shoulders of other people,” he reflects.
The town of Allen was established in 1872 when the Houston and Texas Central Railroad came through Collin County. The railroad opened the way for goods and machinery to be transported in and allowed for the shipment of cotton, grain, and livestock raised on nearby farms.
In 1999, St. Mary Baptist Church was given to the Allen Heritage Guild. Following its restoration in 2002, the city of Allen and the Allen Heritage Guild began acquiring several of Allen’s oldest remaining homes and outbuildings. St. Mary Baptist Church is notable for having once served a dual purpose as a school and a church for Allen’s African American population.
“Our team of dedicated volunteers has helped preserve African American history as well as some Native American history in Allen,” says Tom.
Several acres of land in Allen’s old residential area were purchased to establish a master-planned village, including several bungalow houses. One such house is the Bolin House, built around 1920. From 1948 to 1957, the Albert Bolin family lived in this house and farmed a section of the large Whisenant farm.
One of the most interesting facets of the Allen Heritage Village is the diverse architectural styles it represents. It serves as an education in itself for curious seekers of the past. The Wetsel House, for example, features an I-house design, which was popular in the United States from the colonial period through the post-Civil War era. It is the oldest known structure still standing in Allen today, dating back to between 1873 and 1881. It was named after Lewis Wetsel, a well-known furniture and cabinet maker.
The Heart of the Village
Due to its unique architecture, Allen Christian Church is the centerpiece of the Village. The church’s beautiful stained-glass windows were donated in memory of the Brown, Bush, and Ereckson pioneer families, who served the congregation as elders and deacons and were instrumental in establishing farms, a mercantile, a school, and a bank in the city.
The Allen Heritage Village is truly picturesque. A sense of calm is omnipresent as visitors walk along the U-shaped driveway that connects the church to St. Mary Drive, offering a glimpse into the past and a chance to enjoy the scenery.
“We’ve managed to capture the histories of many good people who first settled in Allen—as well as ‘bad’ people, such as gamblers, robbers, and bootleggers,” Tom explains. These histories are often showcased during Village events, such as Railroad History Day.
One popular tale revolves around Sam Bass and the first successful train robbery in Texas on Feb. 22, 1878. Allegedly, Bass led a team of six men in robbing the southbound Houston and Texas Central Railroad passenger train when it stopped at the Allen station. Today, the station is maintained by the Allen Heritage Guild as an exhibit and museum.
Preserving a Sense of Place
Paula Ross, president of the Allen Heritage Guild, has led the group for almost 30 years.
“It’s been a labor of love since the inception of the Village,” she says. “History is important, and saving community history gives people a sense of place. Without a sense of place, we can’t feel grounded.”
“When we witness how people lived 100 years ago, it gives us perspective,” Tom adds. “Kids who visit the Village have never seen a water well before. When they learn how their forefathers organized their lives—how they woke at 5 a.m. to fetch wood from a shed just to make breakfast or how they hand-made condiments like mayonnaise daily because there was no refrigeration—it helps them develop an appreciation for life.”
Connecting the past to the future is an act of wisdom. Today’s world is shaped by the mistakes and achievements of our ancestors. The collective common ground we share did not arise by itself; rather, as the Allen Heritage Village showcases, it was nurtured by generations of hardworking individuals.
To learn more, call 972-740-8017 or visit allenheritage.org.
“The Allen Heritage Village serves as an education in itself for curious seekers of the past.”