Crandall closed the school and reopened it in 1833 for African-American students, whom she called "young Ladies and little Misses of color".

It shows the peculiar roof form of gable on hip with twin chimneys, a triangular pediment at the eaves above a projecting pavilion at center of the facade, which carries a Palladian window lighting the stair hall at second floor level and an elaborate entrance doorway.

The Gothic pattern is "repeated in the lunette occupying the tympanum of the roof-line pediment above, which also has modillions and Greek fret under the raking cornice.

The study "concluded that there had been only minor changes to the house since the occupancy of Prudence Crandall and that approximately 95% of the structure is unaltered.

The house is a museum and includes period rooms, changing exhibits, a small research library (available for in-house study) and a gift shop.