According to a National Register of Historic Places Inventory (pdf 2.8Mb) provided by the Department of Natural Resources, the “George Caleb Bingham House was built by the famous painter in 1837 soon after his marriage to Sarah Hutchison. It remained their home until 1845.

It is believed that before 1870 the new owners of the home built additions which converted it into a two-story, eight-room structure. Other alterations were made through the years.

In 1926 Hugh Stephens, [of] Jefferson City, purchased the house with the intent of preserving it. The State bought the home in 1934 and restored it in 1936 with the assistance of the Works Progress Administration. At this time the frame rooms of the first and second stories were removed leaving a one-story two-room brick structure. A new roof was added, the picket fence was retained and the bricks were painted white.

After thorough archaeological investigation and careful planning, the home was again restored by the Missouri State Park Board in 1964-65. Documentary and archaeological information did not determine the exact appearance of the house as built by Bingham. It was restored as a typical small Federal-style home of the 1830's.”

Unless otherwise noted, text and images © 2008, State Historical Society of Missouri