Fur merchants erected the Francois Vertefeuille House in Prairie du Chien in the 1810s. It is one of Wisconsin's oldest structures and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a rare example of the piece-sur-piece coulisse method, which was historically widespread in French-Canadian architecture. The prairie du chien house has been preserved nearly in its original state by the Prairie du Chien Museum, which also displays exhibits about local history. The land where the house stands was originally part of a large estate owned by Vertefeuille. In 1810 he hired architect Louis Pierre Roux to design him a home in American colonial style. Construction began that same year and was completed in 1812. After Vertefeuille's death his wife sold the house to settlers in Prairie du Chien. Over time most of the rooms were added to the back of the building with only the main floor and front room being original. In 1958 the museum took over ownership of the house and has restored it to look like it did when it first opened its doors. The Vertefeuille family was among the first group of immigrants to come to what would become Wisconsin. They arrived in Prairie du Chien in 1810 and played an important role in establishing this town as an important fur trading post. After the American Revolution ended France's trade monopoly with America, many French Canadians left their homes in Quebec and Ontario for the new United States.