It was designated a National Historic Landmark for its architecture in 2000[1] Built by Abel Nicholson, a prosperous farmer, whose father had been among the earliest Quaker settlers along Lower Alloways Creek in the late 17th century.

Three walls of the structure are decorated above the basement level with a checkerboard pattern using vitrified brick, laid in Flemish bond.

Originally, the east wall was penetrated by two small windows on the southern side of the elevation, now closed up with brick, one on the second floor and one at the attic level.

It is William who is believed to have constructed the brick addition and placed the date stone marked "1859" in the west end gable.

[7] A recent study of the house revealed clues about the original one-story wooden structure that previously abutted, and may have pre-dated, the 1722 dwelling, giving rise to speculation that the house was a three-room plan on the ground floor at the time of construction, implying that the hall, with its elaborate fireplace surround and other attributes, took on a more social or ceremonial function.