The larger main house was owned by Nathaniel Hall, who ran a large plantation that included much of the surrounding land. As plantation owner, the house was considered his mansion. Hall willed the house to his son, Captain David Hall, in 1734. The will is the only document from which the age of the house can be estimated. Also in the will, Hall left a second house to his other son, Peter.
Vessels believes that house was moved to the site and connected to the main house.
The second house contains most of the gift shop and is actually older than the main house. Vessels estimates it was moved there in the early 1800s. David Hall eventually willed the main house to his son, Colonel David Hall, who was commander of Delaware's troops during the Revolutionary War and served as the state's governor from 1802 until 1805. Colonel Hall lived in the house while he was governor. The house was owned by various decedents of the Hall family until 1907, when it was purchased by John M. and Elizabeth Vessels, Jack and Mary's grandparents.