In all, the estate encompassed 505 acres assembled from 41 purchased tracts, much of this land originally owned by the Montague and Eubank families.

Proceeds from William Devou's millinery supply business funded many of these acquisitions, and the Devous improved and expanded a homestead on the site (the Eubank-Devou house) and developed some of the acreage for a family farm.

Upon Sarah Ogden Devou's death in 1910, sons William and Charles granted the estate to the city of Covington, on the following conditions: that the city spend $100,000 for park improvements in the first six years after the land transfer, that the park carry the family name, and that Charles would continue to live in the family homestead.

In 1938, a $97,251 grant from the Works Progress Administration funded two swimming pools, a shelter house constructed of native fieldstone at a point overlooking the Ohio River and downtown Cincinnati, and a bandshell occupying a natural amphitheater.

An additional twelve miles of multi-use backcountry trails (maintained by volunteers from the Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance) criss-cross the woods on either side of Sleepy Hollow Road.

Managed by the Devou Properties, Inc., the Pavilion hosts events year-round and designates excess profits to fund projects throughout the park.

The museum curates a large collection of local artifacts and features rotating exhibitions throughout the year, as well as hosting a summer music series, historical lectures, and the freshART show to benefit educational programming.

Adjacent to the museum is NaturePlay@BCM, a nature-themed play area that doubles as a WinterWonderland Christmas lights display.