The Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House is an important landmark that links the early history of Edwardsville to the earliest days of the Illinois Territory circa 1809 and the establishment of Edwardsville as the center of government and commerce. It is a connection between Territorial Governer Ninian Edwards, Colonel Benjamin Stephenson and the State of Illinois.

     Built in 1820, this two-story brick home, constructed in the Federal style, is an excellent example of architecture from this early period. Each of the four rooms has original millwork; and two of the original mantels designed in the Adams style remain. The home was built with native material by skilled local craftsmen.The Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House opens an enchanting window on cultural, political, and architectural developments during the early history of Illinois.

Built in 1820 by skilled craftsmen using native materials, the two-story Federal Style house offers an elegant and classic illustration of how the upper class lived at the time.

The four-room home is an excellent example of architecture from this early period and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Illinois State Historic Preservation Agency includes it among only a handful of homes built in the first quarter of the 19th century that remain standing in Illinois. It is also considered the oldest brick home in Madison County, Illinois.

The Stephenson House is an important landmark in the establishment of Edwardsville -- the third oldest city in Illinois -- as a center of government and commerce. Benjamin Stephenson also played an important role in the emergence of Illinois from a “territory” into the nation’s 21st state in 1818.