The house used to belong to a relatively well-off farming family from the Sundgau and was originally flanked by a barn. Dendochronology dating, which examines the annual growth rings in wood, has established that the house was built in 1683. It was reassembled in the museum over a 12-month period starting in 1983. During the reassembly process, it was decided that the timber frame should remain visible and the walls unfilled, to show visitors how the house was constructed. Many believe that the timber is used for decorative effect, whereas it actually provides the structural framework for the traditional Alsatian house.