The Tallman family resided in the house from its completion in 1857 until 1915.
​After their granddaughter Nellie Tallman moved out in 1915 (at age 76), the house sat empty and abandoned for 35 years.
​In 1950, George K. Tallman (William Henry's second son) and his wife Alice Jessie MacGregor donated the historic homestead to the City of Janesville. 75% of the furnishings are original to the house.

It was funny to see the man watching Vickie remove the hoops from under her skirt and put them in the back of her truck!