When the Greenwell’s bought the property in 1941 the land around the house was so overgrown that the original structure was not found for almost a year. It’s believed that the building that was found obscured by overgrowth was unsalvageable and torn down. In its place, the new building was constructed using the style and some salvaged materials from the original structure.

Both the building and the massive chimney are underpinned with foundations composed of fossilized river marl and shells, a building material found in historic building foundations along the lower Potomac and Patuxent Rivers.

In the early nineties, the building was renovated and converted for its’ present use as the ranger’s station. All of the exterior finishes, including sash and doors, lapped siding and wood roof shingles are twentieth century. But the flooring and ceiling joints are more than likely salvaged material from the original structure.