The colonial style wood-frame house was built in 1770 by Benjamin Simonds, a veteran of the French and Indian Wars, who was one of Williamstown's early settlers.

The interior retains a great deal of original period woodwork, including builtin cabinetry, fireplace mantels, and crown moulding.

[4] Benjamin Simonds was a native of Connecticut who first came to the area that is now Williamstown as a militia soldier stationed at Fort Massachusetts in the 1740s, during King George's War.

He operated a tavern in the town, and was a leading force in the incorporation of Williamstown in 1765, and the founding of Williams College in 1790.

He was also active militarily in the American Revolutionary War, where he led a regiment of militia in the Battle of Bennington and other engagements.