[2][3] Completed in 1871 by local businessman and politician John Cook, the red brick house was originally built in Italianate style.

As part of the renovation, the brick was covered with stucco and Classical Revival details were added to the home's interior and exterior.

[5] Following his retirement in 1927, Hormel and his wife Lillian moved to California, donating the home to the local YWCA chapter.

[6] In the early 1990s the home was made into a museum dedicated to the history and preservation of the Hormel family.

[7] The HHH also offers a variety of educational and arts-related programming including the History Happy Hour, Hearth & Home series, the Harris Piano Contest, and the Peace Garden concerts.