[3] William Tallman was a lawyer working in the East when he bought 4,476 acres (1,811 ha) of land in Wisconsin Territory in the late 1840s.

[6] Local builder George Barnes[2] began constructing the home in 1855[6] on a 3-acre (1.2 ha) bluff overlooking the Rock River on what was then the north edge of Janesville.

[7] High-quality materials included Cream City brick, cast iron on the windows and black walnut doors with hand-carved panels.

It contained many modern conveniences of the time, such as central heating, gas piping installed for lights, running water, walk-in closets with built-in storage drawers and an indoor privy.

Because he was embarrassed to leave his room in stocking feet, he missed his train, so Tallman invited him to attend services at First Congregational Church with the family.

Operated by the Rock County Historical Society[8] as a museum, it depicts upper class life in the latter half of the 19th century.