Once a quiet collection of historic buildings, Allen Heritage Village has become a lively destination. In the past year, expanded programming has introduced new ways to experience local history through interactive events and community involvement.
Families explore preserved homes, volunteers roll up their sleeves for cleanup projects and visitors come together to connect with Allen’s earliest history.
Jenna Gilbreath, strategic marketing manager with the city, said the goal is to make the village live, not just exist.
Whodunit mystery dinners bring history to the table
One of the most talked-about offerings is the village’s Whodunit mystery dinner series. Program manager Mary Foster has written more than two dozen scripts, and each event is a blend of history, theater and playful intrigue.
Foster said she intentionally designs the dinners to spark curiosity and learning through entertainment.
“If I’m going to make people interested in history, I’m going to do it in any way that I can. It’s been amazing,” Foster said.
Her mystery dinners have grown into a community favorite, attracting repeat attendees and a loyal following. Foster often sees a strong cross-section of ages, including seniors who love playing along and getting immersed in the story.
Their next mystery dinner, titled Art of Deception, will take place on April 18. Inspired by the life and legacy of painter Frida Kahlo, the evening is set inside the fictional La Casa Azul Gallery and explores the competitive mid-century art world. Guests follow a story shaped by art, ambition and rivalry, where every piece has a hidden meaning and nothing is quite what it seems.
The cottage market grows into a farmers market
Another major expansion is the transformation of the village’s artisan-based cottage market into a full-fledged farmers market: a change the community has been eager to see.
Allen Heritage Village cottage marketThe market runs in two seasons: spring (March through May) and fall (September through November), held the first and third Saturdays of each month.
In its earlier form, the market focused primarily on handmade goods and baked items, featuring a rotating mix of local makers. Shoppers could browse booths offering everything from sourdough bread and homemade chai to hand-blown glass, lace-inspired jewelry and other creative takes on accessories, with no two vendors offering the same thing.
That intentional variety remains a priority as the market grows. By adding local food venders, the village is expanding the selection while keeping the market personal and easy to navigate.
“We usually have about 12-20 vendors,” Foster said. “I want to stay under 30 vendors to keep that small-town feel so it’s not a sea of tents. … [I would love] to have at least one fresh produce vendor, the canned food vendor [that we had] last year, honey and fresh eggs.”
Set within the historic village, the market blends local flavor with a sense of place, giving shoppers a chance to support small businesses while spending a relaxed morning outdoors.
Hands-on learning opportunities
The expanded programming isn’t limited to mystery dinners and markets. Foster also leads a range of events focused on education, service and community connection.
These include community creek cleanups, which encourage environmental care, and Future Voter Day, an interactive program that introduces young people to civic engagement through games and hands-on learning.
“I’ve been given permission to throw things against the wall to see what sticks,” Foster said. “A lot of it has gone off really well.”
Allen residents at a community creek cleanupOther upcoming programs include:
Allen Historic Cemetery Walking Tours (May 9 and 23): guided tours that share the stories of early settlers and notable community membersCemetery Preservation Workshops (May 20-23): hands-on workshops that teach participants how to safely clean and document historic grave markers while learning why preservation mattersInternational Museum Day (May 17): this free event highlights the value of museums through historic buildings, artifacts and local storiesHer goal is simple: to create events that help people feel connected to the village, the community and their shared history.
The Village’s largest event: Heritage Haunt
While programming runs year-round, the calendar reaches its peak every October with Heritage Haunt. As the largest event hosted at the Village, it transforms the historic grounds into an autumn celebration centered around an outdoor concert by candlelight.
Performed by the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra, the music is a curated blend of spooky classical pieces and iconic themes from fantastical movies and shows such as Harry Potter, Jurassic Park and more.
The event is designed to be a full-family experience, featuring a trick-or-treat trail, and encouraging costumes.
Allen Philharmonic Orchestra playing at Heritage HauntA future of expanded access and ongoing growth
Looking forward, Foster has her sights set on opening the village more regularly, expanding volunteer capacity and turning the village into a year-round destination.
With new events rolling out and more on the calendar, Allen Heritage Village is becoming more than a historic site; it’s a growing community hub where the past meets the present in the most fun, engaging ways.
Click here to learn more about Allen Heritage Village and explore their upcoming events today.
The above story was produced by Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact’s Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their “sponsored content” purchase through our advertising team.