It was purchased in 1899 by George W. Norris (1862–1944), a Nebraska politician who championed the New Deal of the 1930s and the Rural Electrification Act.

The house is 2+1⁄2 stories in height, built out of wood with a stucco exterior and covered by a gabled roof.

Gable ends are finished in stucco like the main body, but also have applied Stick style decorative elements.

[3] The interior is furnished and finished mainly with items belonging to the Norris family.

He supported creation of the Tennessee Valley Authority (whose first dam bears his name),[3] and was a major proponent of the Rural Electrification Act, which helped bring electricity to large parts of the country.