[3] In 1855 Dean bought from the UW 160 acres on which this house sits in the town of Blooming Grove.

A dentilated wood cornice surrounds the top except on the back side, hiding a flat tarred roof.

In later years, Dean rented a room in Madison, but he gave his occupation as "farmer" in the 1870 census, and is listed in Blooming Grove.

[5][6] In 1971, when the city was set to demolish the old house, the new Blooming Grove Historical Society decided to save and restore it.

[5] In 1980 the house was added to the NRHP for its association with "Nathaniel Dean, a leader in the development of 19th century Madison", and as "the only remaining residence still extant from the early years of Blooming Grove.