Bryant Durant (1807-1898) built this house in 1843, just prior to his marriage to Jerusha Shurtleff. Durant came to Chicago from Massachusetts in 1837 to join his brother, James, in a business venture. A bricklayer by trade, Durant built his Greek Revival home with locally-made bricks.

The Durants lived at this residence until 1880, when they moved in with their daughter, Emma, in St. Charles. Godfrey and Christina Peterson rented and eventually bought the farm from the Durants in 1886. A kitchen and bathroom addition was built by the Petersons at this time. The home stayed in the Peterson family until 1934 when it was purchased by Archibald and Faye Sheldon. The Sheldons used the residence as a caretaker's cottage. In 1968, Mrs. Sheldon deeded the land to the Kane County Forest Preserve Commission.

Over the years, the condition of the home had significantly deteriorated. Interest in restoring the historical building flourished in the early 1970s. The local Questers, a national organization of women interested in the study, restoration, and preservation of historical furniture and buildings, began to work in cooperation with the Kane County Forest Preserve Commission in restoring the building. After extensive restoration work, the Durant-Peterson house opened as a museum of 19th century life. Visitors can experience middle class farm life and learn how early settlers lived by speaking with knowledgeable docents on Sundays in February and every Sunday from June 15th through August 30th. The Durant-Peterson House, now operated and maintained by Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley, hosts tours for school groups throughout the school year, and special events.