The site on which it was built was acquired by the town sometime before 1848, and served as its poor farm.

The walls are predominantly brick, with limestone and wooden trim, and the cornice is decorated with modillions.

The building has a basic U-shaped plan, with projecting pavilions on the left and right ends, and the front facade.

[2] The building served Reading as an elementary school until 1984, when it was closed due to declining enrollment.

The school board leased it to a variety of tenants, and turned it over to the town selectmen in 1989, who sold the building in 1995.