Designed by David Adler, the Georgian Revival mansion was commissioned by future United States Representative Charles S. Dewey.

Charles S. Dewey, a real estate developer who would later be elected to the United States House of Representatives, commissioned David Adler to design the building in 1913.

[2] While Dewey was stationed aboard the USS Mississippi, his house was claimed by the government through eminent domain in an effort to expand the naval base.

Later that year, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs was established and, on April 17, 1924, the property was transferred to the agency.

When the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center was established, the Dewey House became known as Building 29 on the campus.