Built in 1787, it is a rare surviving Federal period house in the city.

[1] The Richard Hayes House stands in a semi-rural setting in southern Rochester, on the east side of Gonic Road just north of its junction with Colonial Drive.

It is an L-shaped wood-frame structure, two stories tall, which presents two public facades, apparently part of its original design.

The house is a rare well-preserved vernacular Federal style structure in Rochester.

The house was built on 80 acres (32 ha) of land given to Richard by his father Daniel, a prominent landowner and politician.