It is the second oldest house in Great Barrington, built in 1759 for Joseph Dwight, a brigadier in the colonial militia, by local builder Daniel Allen.

The saltbox home was originally built into a slope, and had three stories on the front and one in the rear.

The second move, the foundation that formed the wall for the original first floor, so it now presents only two stories in front.

In addition to General Dwight, who was also town moderator and selectman, and a county judge, the houses notable guests include British General John Burgoyne, who surrendered his army after the Battles of Saratoga in 1777, and spent several days here while en route to the Boston area as a prisoner.

It is also the house where poet and newspaper editor William Cullen Bryant was married; he was a guest of the owner, Allen Henderson.