Cyrus and Kitty Hart constructed this home in 1868 as an Italianate style residence, one of the first brick houses in the county. George and Fannie Beyer purchased it in 1878 and remodeled it in the 1890s to its current Queen Anne appearance. Both families fostered social and economic growth in the community: Hart was the editor-owner of the local newspaper, and Beyer, orphaned at 15, helped organize banks and attract two rail lines through Oconto, becoming an influential and prosperous entrepreneur. In 1940, Oconto County acquired the home and deeded it to the County Historical Society as a public museum. During the 1970s, the interior was restored to its 1890s appearance. The architectural changes over time reflect the entrepreneurial success and influence of its early owners.