Built in 1877 as a residence for military officer and politician Seth Ledyard Phelps, the house served as the legation for the Joseon kingdom followed by the Korean Empire from 1889 to 1905 when Japan took control of Korea's government.

The building was sold in 1910 for $10 (equivalent to $330 in 2023) and later served as a recreation center for African Americans, trade union hall, and private residence.

[4] It was adorned with a tin roof, decorative railing, cast metal porch, and Ohio sandstone, and included a basement and projecting bays.

[4] Phelps was also a real estate developer and his house at 15 Iowa Circle was one of the first large residences built in the neighborhood.

The United States strongly objected to this approach, leading to what would become the only Korean legation in the West being allowed to open.

Secretary of State Elihu Root began conducting diplomatic affairs related to Korea through the Japanese legation.

[10][20] The real estate contract stated: "The Japanese Legation pays $5 (equivalent to $160 in 2023[3]) to Joseon's emperor, who shall unconditionally hand over the ownership of the property.

[10][20] During the next several decades, the building served as a private residence, a recreation center for African Americans in the 1940s, and a union hall for Teamsters.

The couple were aware of the building's history but did not fully appreciate what it meant to Koreans until one day during the 1980s when they noticed a man standing outside their house.

Soon after the dinner, a real estate agency hired by the South Korean government's Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) agreed to a purchase price with the Jenkins.

Kim Chan from CHA said, "Although we're not able to recover all history stolen from us by Japanese imperialists, this Korean Empire legation building miraculously survived.

"[5] A granddaughter of King Gojong, Amy Lee, who had also campaigned for the purchase of the building, said, "I'm glad we have become strong enough and have enough money to buy it back.

An official from CHA said, "The building will be used as bridgeheads to let the American public learn about our cultural heritage and to teach Koreans a historic lesson.

[10][16][27] The small parking lot next to the building was turned into a garden featuring flower walls and a granite Eternal Youth Gate (bulomun in Korean).

The building's new layout includes a library, photograph exhibit, the minister's bedroom, private offices, and a banquet area.

[10] To mark the 70th anniversary of the US military entering the Korean War, a banner was displayed outside the museum as well as the embassy's consular section and cultural center.