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Allen House
Allen House
Built c. 1854
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
South Campus
Building History
This brick residence was built c. 1854 and has had several alterations done over the years. The house has an arcaded corbel table across each gable that dips in the center. A Romanesque Revival feature, it can also be seen on the old Lowell Jail (now Keith Academy Condominiums) built in 1856 but was rarely seen on residential buildings. The architect is unknown, but may have been James H. Rand, a local architect who designed the Lowell Jail. The north wing addition was constructed in 1868, and is similar in style to the original house. By the end of the 19th century a one story angular bay was added to the façade gable, and a one-story brick extension was added to the south wing. The interior is a mix of Italianate and Federalist features.
The house was built c.1854 for Abiel Rolfe who worked for the Lowell-Nashua Railroad and was active in city politics. He lived there for ten years before the house was sold to Rollin White, an inventor of firearms. He founded the Rollin White Arms Company in Lowell, which manufactured cartridge revolvers, but the company soon went under following an infringement suit filed by the Smith & Wesson Company.
In 1890, Charles H. Allen bought the property. Allen ran a local lumber business with his father, and became involved in politics. He served a term as a state representative (1881-1882) then was elected Republican Congressman for Lowell (1885-89). After failing to win a bid for Governor of Massachusetts in 1890, he went on to be appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy by President McKinley in 1898. In 1900 he became the first civilian governor of Puerto Rico. He was later a successful businessman and served as trustee or director for many New England businesses.
In 1945, the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa purchased the home from Allen’s estate and they remained there until 1957 when they sold the building to University of Massachusetts-Lowell. The building was used as a dormitory and later for classrooms and offices until the mid-1970s.
Preservation and Reuse
The Allen House underwent a renovation in 2006 to convert the property into a multi-use facility for the University. The new facility has gallery space and offices for the Chancellor of the University.