The house dates back to 1833 and was built by James Hall, a retired ship's captain.

James G. Blaine, then the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, purchased it in 1862 as a present for his wife, the former Harriet Stanwood, daughter of a prominent Augusta family.

Blaine substantially enlarged the building, constructing an addition at the rear that was a near replica of the original structure, and removing interior walls to create a large entertainment space.

It was remodeled, to designs by the noted Maine architect John Calvin Stevens, prior to the first governor taking residence in 1921.

The oil boiler is also going to be converted to natural gas in a further effort to reduce costs, though that system will only be needed on the coldest days.