From 1890 to 1920, the house was a gathering place for artists, writers and editors, and scores of art students came to study with leading American Impressionists John Henry Twachtman, J. Alden Weir, Theodore Robinson, and Childe Hassam.

The Holleys added new windows and a second-story porch, and in 1882 began operating it as a place of lodging for visiting artists and writers.

[7][8] The Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich purchased the house in 1957 from the widowed Constant Holley MacRae and first opened it as a museum in 1958.

[2][10] Guided tours of Bush–Holley House feature historic interiors related to the Bush and Holley families and an American Impressionist art collection.

The William Hegarty Gallery presents historically and artistically significant exhibitions curated by foremost authorities on art and history.