Built in 1794 as a residence, it has served for most of two centuries as a local traveler's accommodation, and retains fine Federal period architectural details.

The Merrell Tavern is located on the south side of Pleasant Street, near the western end of the roughly linear village.

It was one of the first brick houses of the Federal period in the region, with some of its design elements taken from the published drawings of Asher Benjamin.

The Merrells enlarged the building, adding its third story ballroom and its two-story porch in 1838.

The inn's taproom is remarkably well-preserved, with nearly all of its original features intact, including painted oak graining.