The house, built in 1869, is historically significant as the only surviving structure of the first National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, established at Togus in 1866 to serve American Civil War veterans.

The main (south-facing) facade, has a single-story enclosed porch across its center half, topped by a shallow-pitch hip roof.

A two-story wing extends to the rear of the main block, significantly increasing its size.

It was established by an act of Congress in 1866, to provide a space for "any worthy soldier" who was "suffering such a degree of disability" so as to need such a facility.

[3] The property acquired by the government was a summer resort, capitalizing on local mineral springs, that had gone bankrupt in the war.