In addition to being a well-preserved 18th-century house, it is locally significant for its association with the Willard family, who were early settlers of the Newington area.

It is a 2+1⁄2-story wood-frame structure, five bays wide, with a large central chimney, clapboarded exterior, and a dry-laid brownstone foundation.

The interior follows a fairly typical central-chimney plan, with a narrow entry vestibule with winding staircase, chambers on either side, and the original kitchen at the rear, with small chambers in each of the rear corners.

The land on which it stands was granted to the Willard family in 1670, when the area was still part of Wethersfield.

Josiah Willard, who was raised in this house, was Newington's first parish clerk, and is credited with naming the town.