He travelled via covered wagon and settled on Cache Creek in 1850, where he built a modest home.

He returned to Yolo County in 1851 and bought a plot of 160 acres four and a half miles north east of Woodland, where he grew grain and raised livestock.

He sold this property in 1857, and purchased 320 acres of land adjoining the southern part of Woodland, CA.

The Cook family emigrated to California in 1853 and established their own successful farm in Yolo County.

Thomas remained a prominent figure in Woodland throughout his life: He served on several boards concerning local politics, education, businesses, and agriculture.

The first extension, completed in 1877, included adding two large parlors on the first floor, and a second story with four bedrooms.

Two of the barns were transformed, one into a gallery space and another adapted with temperature control for archival and collection storage.

He next added a smaller two-story brick building to the south end of the old wooden structure, approximately 17' by 35' large.

The 1976 National Register of Historic Places assessment identified the style of the main brick structure as modified Georgian revival due to its massing, hipped roof, and floor plan consisting of a central hallway with two rooms off to each side, each having a fireplace on the outside wall, and four bedrooms upstairs.

Other Italianate features visible on the present property include the balustraded balcony, tall double-hung windows with hood moulds, and the paneled front door with a decorative entablature and pilasters.

The interest in classical architecture can be attributed to the World's Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893.

The planners emphasized a classical theme, and the central court consisted of colonnaded buildings designed by some of the periods best known architects.

Some of the identifying features include full height porches supported by classical columns (with Ionic or Corinthian capitals), and a symmetrically balanced windows and central door.

With the addition of the columnated porch, the house lost its hipped pyramid roof, at present it now has a front gable with patterned wood shingles.

On the museum grounds, in addition to the main house there is a functional blacksmith shop and dairy display focusing on the Woodland Creamery Company.

One barn became a modified gallery space, while another was adapted with temperature control to create a stable environment for the historical collection.