[2] Elihu Root was born and grew up in the immediate vicinity of this house, which became his home as an adult.

President William McKinley appointed him Secretary of War in 1899 and he continued in this capacity under Theodore Roosevelt.

The main part of the Federal style house was built in 1817 as a home for a Hamilton College professor.

By the time Elihu Root purchased the house in 1893, there had been many additions and modifications to the structure.

He also had built the portico on the east side of the house and servants quarters at the rear of the building.