It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, due to its connection with prominent figures in the iron industry of the early 19th century and because of its domestic architecture influenced by the Federal style.

It was built in 1803 by an ironmaster, John Dunlop, who lived there with his wife and four daughters until he was killed in an iron mine collapse in October 1814.

[1] Made of limestone, this 2+1⁄2-story house was constructed in the vernacular form of the Federal or Georgian style with ten and a half foot ceiling heights.

Building receipts for the finish carpenter, John Patterson, can still be found in the Centre County Library and Historical Museum in Bellefonte.

[2] After John Dunlop's death, his iron business was rented, then bought by ironmasters in the Valentine family 1815–1879.