After Young's death, the home remained a private residence and was eventually purchased by St. George's first dentist, Jedediah M. Gates.

The LDS Church acquired the property from the state in 1974, and has since operated the house museum, with its missionaries providing free guided tours.

In early 1846, those Latter-day Saints who chose to follow Young left their homes in Navuoo, Illinois and headed west to establish a new settlement, away from persecution.

In the subsequent years, Young assigned groups of Latter-day Saints to establish communities throughout Utah and surrounding areas, convert the natives, and provide infrastructure.

[1] After the purchase, a large two-story addition to the home was built, more than doubling the structure's size, and an adjacent office building was constructed.

Inside the home, the church has included a selection of Young's extant furniture, some of which was built by him, and added other period pieces.

[9] In 1959, the state purchased the association's equity in the home and paid off the remainder owed to the Gates family, securing title to the property.

[10][11] The state restored the home beginning in 1962,[12] which included moving the front door and a stairway back to their original positions.

Participants in the dedicatory services included State Senator Orval Hafen, and LDS Church leaders Hugh B.

[18] Young's Winter Home and Office first opened, under church control, in April 1975,[19] but closed that August for additional restoration work and repairs.