An anonymous Allentown family has donated $750,000 to the Allentown Parknership to support restoration work at the historic Tack Barn in Lehigh Parkway, the organization announced.
The funding is set to cover structural stabilization, roof and masonry repairs, and adaptive reuse planning for the building, which was conveyed to the city in 1931 by Edward M. Young and Kate R. Young. Over the years, the Tack Barn has been used for storing equestrian equipment, hosting parks department meetings, and serving as a spot for community gatherings.
The Parknership puts the full project cost at $950,000 and expects the restoration to take two years. The organization plans to raise the remaining $200,000 from individual, foundation, and corporate donors.
Ruffian Tittmann, executive director of the Parknership, said the investment opens the door for future gatherings and public use while preserving a piece of Allentown’s history. Allentown Parks and Recreation Director Mandy Tolino also emphasized the renovation’s role in bringing new life to the landmark and giving the public a clearer window into the past.
For mason contractors and project teams, the announced scope highlights three coordination points that drive schedule and budget on preservation jobs: stabilization work that sets safe access and tolerances, roof work that controls water at the top of wall conditions, and masonry repairs that need clear limits and acceptance standards. The adaptive reuse planning also signals that repairs are tied to future occupancy goals, not just patchwork.
The Tack Barn project lines up with another major preservation effort nearby, the city of Allentown’s $2.57 million rehabilitation of Bogert’s Covered Bridge. That work began in late 2025 and marks the first major investment in the bridge since it was built in 1841. Together, the projects aim to strengthen historic landmarks along Little Lehigh Creek and expand the parkway’s recreational and cultural offerings.
Read the full, original article from Lehighvalleylive.com here.