ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A piece of Allentown history will soon be restored along the Little Lehigh Creek.

It’s called the Tack Barn, and it sits alongside the Lehigh Parkway.

It just received a $750,000 donation from an anonymous local family to renovate the building.

Tack isn’t a family name. Tack is the name of the horse equipment that was kept in the barn, from bridles to bits, saddles to stirrups. Now, the barn will get some new life.

When Andy Shorb of Allentown gets off work, he loves to bike along the Lehigh Parkway.

“You know, checking out the historic buildings. It’s cool to see some of the old history that’s here in the Lehigh Valley,” said Shorb, who paused his bike ride just long enough to speak with 69 News.

Faded history will soon be brought forward. Thanks to the anonymous donation, the Tack Barn will see its first renovations in about 30 years.

“It’s one of those buildings that if you’re not looking for it, it might just blend into the background,” said Ruffian Tittmann, executive director of the Allentown Parknership. “As best as I can tell, really around the mid-1990s was the last time it was used for any sort of office space or function, so it’s been a while.”

The barn was given to the city by the Young Family in 1931. Back then, it was one of the centers for equestrian events in the Lehigh Valley. This donation is a major milestone for the Allentown Parknership, the official charitable partner of Allentown Parks and Recreation.

“To have a family reach out and say, ‘We would really like to make this commitment.’ And it was super exciting,” Tittmann said.

The restoration effort complements Allentown’s own $2.5 million renovation to the adjacent Bogert’s Covered Bridge. It’s the first investment in the bridge in more than 180 years. It all works to enhance the character of the Lehigh Parkway.

“I’d rather see money spent in a place like this. Keep things natural, historical,” Shorb said.

The Allentown Parknership has been in existence since 2024. It hopes to award the contract later this year.

Renovations should be completed in about two years.