Gaius Bliss, tanner, shoemaker, and farmer, began building this house in 1785. The foundation is built of red stones carried from the East Longmeadow quarries. This foundation was topped with heavy oak beams held in place by huge wooden pegs. On two sides he lined the walls with a layer of brick. Clearly, he intended that this house would endure. Gaius Bliss had his shoe shop in the cellar of his home for nearly 40 years.  The southern ell was added after 1817.