A second block, oriented to face Monument Square, was attached to this house in the 18th century, as were smaller additions to its east side.

A number of alterations have been made to the house, notably the addition of bay windows to the western facade, part of an adaptation of the structure for retail uses.

[2] The house was built for the Reverend Daniel Emerson, the first settled minister in Hollis, and stands on land that was part of the 40-acre (16 ha) ministerial parcel set aside when the town was planned.

Emerson at first occupied a log cabin, which burned in April 1744, and the oldest portion of this house was built in preparation for the arrival of his bride.

The Emersons had thirteen children, giving a reason for the increase in the house's size in the second half of the 18th century.