The original builder is unknown, but the Vreeland family owned the house by the early 1800s. Several expansions followed. In 1840, the house doubled in size and received its brick façade, reportedly as a wedding gift for a daughter of the family.
Local tradition also connects the house to the Revolutionary War, suggesting that blankets collected for soldiers were stored there when it served as the mill caretaker’s home. That connection remains uncertain.
The house continued to grow alongside the town. A two-story addition built in 1986 matched the existing brickwork and sash windows so closely that the front resembles three adjoining row houses.
By the end of the 20th century, however, the property had become overgrown and fallen into disrepair. New owners, including an architectural historian, undertook a restoration that preserved its character while adapting it for modern living.
A two-story rear addition doubled the home’s size while remaining out of view from the street. Historically accurate wooden windows were installed along the front, and an original wall was left exposed to reveal its rough-hewn timber supports.
To plan the work, the owners built a scale model with a removable roof and second floor. It helped them understand the spaces, refine their ideas and communicate with contractors.
The result preserved a home that has evolved across four centuries—a reminder that historic buildings can remain part of everyday life while retaining the features that connect a community to its past.