The house is notable as one of four built in Acton as the result of a lottery sponsored by Harvard College in 1794–95. The lottery was one of several run by the college to raise funds for the construction of buildings and acquisition of land. One of the grand prizes in this lottery was awarded to a ticket shared by four Acton residents, who divided the $10,000 prize, and each built a house. This house, built by Joseph Robbins, is the best-preserved of the four.
