The Rider House was built in about 1785, just after the Revolutionary War. It was built by John and Mary Rider, who had 9 children so they needed a big house. The family would have had a vegetable, herb, and medicinal garden outside of the house. They would also have to go outside to get their water from the well.

The kitchen is the largest room in the house as it was the center of family life. All cooking was done in the open fireplace. Children were expected to help in the preparation of food and often has jobs such as turning the spit in the reflector oven, feeding the fire, and bring water from the well. They also had to collect wood for the fire.

The family had three parlors in the house which were used for family living ad entertaining. The house has 2 chimneys which allowed them to have a fireplace in each parlor. The furnishings in the house are from 1785-1830.