[2] The house was built in 1864–65 by attorney and entrepreneur Trenor W. Park (1823–1882), who was born in nearby Woodford, Vermont but amassed his fortune overseeing the mining interests of John C. Fremont in California.

His descendants made extensive renovations to the house in 1889–90, largely in order to entertain President Benjamin Harrison who had come to town to dedicate the new Bennington Battle Monument.

Trenor, Laura, and Lizzie traveled to San Francisco in 1852, following Hiland Hall, who had been appointed California Land Commissioner.

At one time Trenor served as president of the Panama Canal Railway, and he founded the First National Bank of North Bennington, Vermont.

His mansion, named "Hill Crest", was built in the late 1890s in Purchase, New York, and is now the Old Oaks Country Club.

Frances later married surgeon E. Gerald Stanley, whom she met at her mother's chateau during World War I, and they had five children.

Coincidentally, it was the same residence where Queen Victoria's son, Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, had died in 1884.

He began a law practice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and later opened another office in Mariposa County, California.

Her father died in 1882, and Lizzie bought out the stake her siblings had in the home to become the sole owner along with her husband; she paid Laura and Trenor $23,333 each.

Trenor Park purchased the land the house sits on in North Bennington, Vermont from his father-in-law, Hiland Hall.

The “Big House” was under construction from 1864 to 1865, on a property of almost 200 acres (0.81 km2), and was designed by New York architectural firm Diaper and Dudley.

What once was part of the apartment occupied by Hiland Hall and his wife is now a sitting room right above the staircase on the second floor.

President Benjamin Harrison (1833–1901) stayed at the home in August 1891 for the celebration of the dedication of the Bennington Battle Monument.

Lizzie and John introduced the Colonial Revival architecture style to the house in 1889 in preparation for the President, when the renovations were made to the front hall.

To keep up with the changing styles of the time, the fireplaces located in the library, main and west halls were converted to wood burning.

When entering the house from the South, guests are welcomed by a bust of Hiland Hall, placed on the mantle of the fireplace.

This bedroom was occupied at one time by Esther Morgan Park McCullough, Lizzie's daughter Part of the west wing of the house was removed around 1940.

Over time, the McCullough's changed their gardens (surrounding the grounds) around, and at one point, converted them into a tennis court.

It is a non-profit charitable/membership corporation, which is governed by a Board of Trustees, and requires full and part-time employees and volunteers.

The Association sponsors educational programs that are suitable for both adults and children, tours of the home, and hosts many special events at the property.