The Dutch Colonial-style farmhouse was built by William Dyckman, c.1785,[3] and was originally part of over 250 acres (100 ha) of farmland owned by the family.

[4] The current two-story house is constructed of fieldstone, brick and white clapboard, and features a gambrel roof and spring eaves.

The house's interior has parlors and an indoor winter kitchen in the basement, thus serving as heating for the first floor.

[8] By the beginning of the 20th century, the house was in disrepair and in danger of being demolished, and in 1915, the Dyckman family bought it back.

[3] In 1916, they transferred ownership of the house to the City of New York, which opened it as a museum of Dutch and Colonial life, featuring the original Dyckman family furnishings.