The house is wide but shallow, one room deep with two rear wings projecting to the north, which were built before the front.

The property was bought by Thomas Collins, who would become High Sheriff of Kent County and later a brigadier general in the Continental Army, eventually rising to the governorship of Delaware.

In 1777 a British party attempting to capture Collins shot a sentry posted on the widow's walk, who died in the room below.

Thomas Collins, the only person to be unanimously elected by the Assembly, had the honor of serving as the 8th President/Governor of Delaware from 1786 until his death in 1789.

It was sold to the State of Delaware in 1987, as part of a deal to acquire 30 acres (12 ha) for the Route 13 bypass around Smyrna.