The Greek Revival house is notable as the home of Nathaniel Topliff Allen (1823–1903), an innovative educator in the mid-19th century.

The house is listed in the National Register of Historic Places,[1] and is currently owned by Newton Cultural Alliance.

[2] The Allen Homestead, located at the northeast corner of Webster and Cherry Streets in West Newton village, consists of three connected wood-frame structures: Allen's 2+1⁄2-story Greek Revival house with a temple front facing Webster Street, built about 1848–1852 (probably by Milo Lucas, a local builder); a two-story flat-roofed structure, built in the late 19th century as a dormitory; and a 2+1⁄2-story gable-roofed schoolhouse.

Allen had attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and taught previously in a number of public high-schools before coming to West Newton.

Allen's innovations included the first-ever kindergarten, and an emphasis on physical fitness, exemplified in part by the school's large (for the period) gymnasium.