The Griffin House has a 19th century inspired design, imitating a typical Georgian architecture style home.

[8] By 1991, Ancaster's Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC) deemed the Griffin House as a notable heritage site.

This included worries over how expensive the project would be, the tourist crowds and traffic it could create, possible bus tours, noise and the construction of the parking lot on rural land.

In November 1993, it was finally decided that restoration would continue after meetings between the LACAC, Hamilton's black community and other residents from Ancaster.

[8] However, the funding for the project had been dramatically reduced to 40 000, despite the original 70 000 that was granted to the HRCA by the Ontario Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation.

[8] Some community members attributed the funding cuts with racism and attempts to erase the importance of local African Canadian history.

[8] The exhibit within the home focuses on the Griffins family and the history of their farm between 1830-1988, Black settlement in Hamilton-Wentworth relating to employment, education, religion and more.