Built in 1807 by Christian Smith of native sandstone, the Old Stone Tavern accommodated travelers going to the frontier. Later exterior changes altered the first-floor door and window positions, with evidence of those changes visible in the stonework above and below the windows. The east-side window did not exist originally and was added when the building was restored for use as a museum. The original wood shake roof was replaced between 1850 and 1860 by the current slate roof, and the roofline changed somewhat, with evidence visible on the east and west of the building. The placement and frames of the second-story windows are original.