It was built by Richard Clemence in 1691 and is a rare surviving example of a "stone ender", a building type first developed in the western part of England and common in colonial Rhode Island.

Additions by this time included a one-story parlor with a separate fireplace at the north end, a second lean-to with kitchen, bath and stair hall and two bedrooms, a one-story ell at the southwest corner, and a front hall and porch at the southeast corner.

Isham determined that the original house consisted of one-and-a-half stories with a rear lean-to and a steep gable roof.

Removing the later additions and baring the main block of non-original interior finishes, the house was rebuilt to reflect Isham's findings.

Using a combination of salvaged and new materials to recreate the original appearance of the house, Isham also commissioned furnishings made from old wood to complement the architectural reconstruction.