Spring Garden Farm, circa 1792, was originally a basic German farmhouse (kuche, stube, kammer) on the original Samuel Mumma family farm.  The limestone walls, sourced locally,  were laid a foot and a half thick to keep out the cold winter weather and help cool the occupants in the summer.

Around 1898, Colonel John Motter, who had the Star Barn built, and was famous for his saddle making and horse breeding, bought the property and updated the original structure, turning it into a more Victorian Gothic architecture of his day, adding the wrap around porch, gingerbread and fish-scale detailing, and the roofed porch over the carriage lane. He added the limestone wall that encircles the grounds and created significant walking gardens.  This may have been when the smaller house was added.  He added a grand staircase, woodwork and lighting to the interiors using some of the best craftsman he could find.  Colonel Motter only lived in the house for a few years as he died in 1901.