A large wooded lawn extends to the Honors College (Russell House 1828) property to the north.

The structural system consists of load-bearing masonry with a flat roof, and materials include brick and flushboarding walls and a brownstone foundation.

Edward Russell worked in the foreign mercantile trade until he returned to Middletown in 1838.

These indicate that the house was a sophisticated and high style example of Greek Revival, and stylistically close to the DeRham Brevoort House (attributed to Davis) in New York City and "Highwood", Henry Whitney's estate in New Haven (1835–1836) by Town and Davis.

This house was the last example of Greek Revival architecture to be built in the prestigious area of High Street.