History, mystery and beauty

Secrets of Allentown, a self-guided walking and house tour through the historic district of Allentown will take place Sunday, September 14th from 11am-5pm.  Visitors will receive a guidebook of more than 150 properties and have the opportunity to tour the rarely seen interiors of homes and offices in Buffalo’s oldest preservation district.

The tour begins at the Clement Mansion (Red Cross Headquarters) on Delaware Avenue. At each property participants are invited to view the interiors and grounds of many historic buildings, never before open to the public. Volunteers, owners and tenants will be present in the properties and may be able to answer participants’ questions.  Some of the properties include the Birge-Horton house, home of the Katherine Pratt Horton Buffalo Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and several private homes. 

Designated a local preservation district in 1978 and listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1980, Allentown is one of the first and largest residential historic districts in the United States. Allentown is known for its community of artists, for its embrace of bohemian and gay culture, and for the civic commitment of residents to the historic and aesthetic sensibilities of the neighborhood. Allentown is one of Buffalo's premier areas for nightlife, dining, and antique shopping

There will also be a free trolley service which will make designated stops throughout the tour area in a continuous loop for those in need of assistance. During the tour, all parking restrictions will be lifted throughout Allentown. You can park on both sides of every street, so there's plenty of free, convenient parking. 

Tickets are available at the Quaker Bonnet Eatery, Allentown Athletix and Positively Main Street.  They can also be purchased online at tickets.com or at any Tops Market location.  For more information, visit www.cityofgoodneighbors.com/soa/