The district boundaries encompass Main and Lessey Streets, east of Amherst center, from their junction eastward to Gray Street and the Amherst railroad station, which marks the eastern end of the district.

[1] It was designated because of its architecture, and its connection with the locally influential Dickinson family, who (in addition to renowned poet Emily Dickinson) were a locally influential family with roots dating back to early colonial times.

Her grandfather Samuel, who built the house, was a founder of Amherst College, and a prominent local politician, as was her father Edward.

Her brother William Austin Dickinson was also active in the political and economic life of Amherst, helping found its water and gas companies.

Leonard Hills, who lived in two separate houses in the district, ran a distinctive business that manufactured hats out of palm leaves, and was a key figure in the founding of Massachusetts Agricultural College (now the University of Massachusetts at Amherst).