The Allen House was featured in this year’s Doors Open Lowell.

The Allen House was one of 28 historic Lowell buildings featured in this year’s Doors Open Lowell. The free event invited visitors to explore some of the city’s oldest buildings and learn about their history and preservation efforts. Originally started to celebrate National Preservation Month, this year’s Doors Open Lowell also celebrated the 30-year anniversary of the Lowell National Historic Park.

The Allen House, built circa 1854, is one of Lowell’s oldest surviving Italianate residential buildings. After being purchased by the University in 1957, it was used as a dormitory and later for classrooms and offices. It was recently renovated to include gallery space and how houses the offices of Chancellor Marty Meehan.

There was a Doors Open Xtra event at the Allen House, where visitors were able to meet architect Jay Mason and learn how the renovation plans were developed. A full list of buildings featured in this year's Doors Open Lowell can be found at www.doorsopenlowell.org.