Steeped in rich history and lovingly restored, The Peter Allen in stands as a testament to the vibrant history of Kinsman, OH.
Our History
From the Source
Hear from Dick Thompson, owner of the Peter Allen Inn, how this magnificent historical landmark came to be all that it is today.
Our Surroundings
The Peter Allen Inn is located in Kinsman, Ohio, at the far northeast corner of Trumbull County, where preservation of historical architecture, conservation of open land, and the protection of an economy supported by agriculture is of the utmost importance.
The village is framed by two waterways: Stratton Creek, which comes through the east side, and Pymatuning Creek, a designated State of Ohio Wild and Scenic River, to the west. They meet in confluence just south of the village square. The soil is some of the richest in the county, with over 16,000 acres of ground now under conservation easement. Together, these elements attracted, and continue to attract, farmers, conservationists, and history lovers as settlers.
Dr. Peter Allen & The Thompsons
What is now known as the Peter Allen Inn was built in 1821 as the home of Kinsman’s first doctor, Dr. Peter Allen. Built in the Federal style instead of the familiar Colonial style, its impressive façade was revered in its day. Fallen into disrepair two centuries later, it was rescued by local businessman Richard Thompson and his wife, Rhonda.
In 2010, Thompson had begun the task of dedicating himself to preserving the community’s heritage and farmland. Realizing the architectural importance of the Allen house, the significant contributions of the Allen family to the field of medicine and the architectural genius of the builder, the Thompsons decided to take the enormous step to save the house for posterity. The Richard and Rhonda Thompson Foundation was created to restore historic buildings; the Allen House was selected as a primary project.
The Restoration
The home had been created by the hands – and out of the head – of the area’s greatest master craftsman, Willis Smith. There were no “blueprints” or plans until, during the country’s Great Depression, in an effort to create employment, our government sent forth draftsman and architects into the countryside to document significant historical structures including the Allen home. Those architectural records, housed in the Library of Congress, were referenced during the Inn’s restoration, allowing for accurate reconstruction.
As townfolk looked on, the old house was literally taken apart, meticulously labeled, and put back together again. The Thompsons expanded its footprint and potential by adding a kitchen, conference and banquet room, tavern, and gardens. They restored its decor to nearly-original state, mixing in only enough modern furnishings to allow for a guest’s comfortable stay, and repurposed the place as the Peter Allen Inn in 2017. Today, the pair can often be found working on the latest Puzzle Room challenge or mingling with guests during a Friday evening Tavern night.
The Stone Cottage
As the Inn flourished, the Thompsons turned their attention to their other pet project; a historic 1836-built stone house that had long sat empty in a neighboring township. They were able to buy it, dismantle it, and move it, stone by stone; beginning in 2022, reconstruction took place on the Inn grounds. The result, opened in 2024, is an additional four suites, offering four additional suites for a total of seven overnight accommodations, with a full-service restaurant and wide scope of outdoor event space.
We are proud to share that we have been approved for membership in the Select Registry, a group that provides excellence in craft lodging.
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See all that the Peter Allen Inn has to offer, from fine dining and luxury accommodations, to historic event spaces and more.
