The building served as an inn for travelers on the road heading southwest for the lead-mining region.

The low-pitched roof with cornice returns were elements from the Greek Revival style that was popular at the time.

[3] The Paunacks' house was on an important road leading out of Madison toward southwest Wisconsin, and they soon began hosting travellers there.

This downhill end of the building exposes some basement windows and a doorway that led into the inn's taproom.

[4] Whare's inn hosted travelling salesmen, farmers, legislatures, and Union soldiers during the Civil War.