It was built for Francis Ermatinger, Chief Trader of the Hudson's Bay Company Columbia District, and later Treasurer of the Provisional Government of Oregon.

[2] The house, initially built on the waterfront near Willamette Falls, has been moved twice in its history, first in 1910 to the corner of 11th and Center streets, and again in 1986 to its current location at the corner of 6th and John Adams streets, adjacent to the Stevens Crawford House museum.

[3] Damage from being moved twice had left the house unstable, resulting in the windows being removed.

The house is open for both guided and self-guided tours of Fridays and Saturdays, with various events held at different times.

[6][7] It is believed to have been the Ermatinger House's left parlor that the famous coin toss between Francis Pettygrove and Asa Lovejoy occurred, reputedly during a dinner party held in the house in 1845.