Completed in 1787, the museum was originally the homestead of Fort Ticonderoga?s pride and joy as well as the state?s founding father, Ethan Allen. The home, which boasts of scenic views of the Winooski River, was where Ethan lived with his young second wife, Frances, and children for only two years before his untimely death. For some time in the 19th century, the homestead would be known as the Van Ness farm when it came to the possession of Cornelius Van Ness, who purchased the land from Ethan?s widow for $2,800.

Perhaps due to the many stories of his days of excessive drinking, Ethan and his home hadn?t been considered of any historic interest until a report was submitted in 1975 to the Burlington Historic Sites Committee, which successfully established the house as one of the city?s essential historic landmarks.