In 1839 a young attorney from Indiana, Pennsylvania moved, with his family, and settled in Clarion County. His name was Thomas Sutton, grandson of Peter Sutton, a Revolutionary War veteran originally from New Jersey. In 1841 Thomas Sutton was accepted into the Clarion County Bar Association and quickly became a well respected and admired attorney.

Nine years later, in 1850, he constructed a two-story rough brick structure on the south side of the Clarion Borough Green. It was a two-story rough brick home with a central hall and stairway. At the rear of the home was, what is believed to be, servant quarters on the first and second floor: and a summer kitchen below .

Sometime between 1841 and 1851 a small brick structured law office was constructed on the northeast corner of his property.

Mr. Sutton enjoyed his new home for only three years when he contracted typhoid fever and died on March 26, 1853 leaving his wife and young children. Three days later his young son, Thomas, Jr., died of scarlet fever. Both are buried in the Clarion Protestant Cemetery. Mrs. Sutton and her remaining children moved shortly after the death of her husband and young son.

The home saw a number of owners over the next half century. During the mid to late 1890's John Keller operated a school for young boys in the home and in 1908 it was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. John A. Ditz. Mr. Ditz owned the Ditz & Mooney hardware store.

Shortly after the Ditz family took possession, local residents were seeing many changes taking place at the former Sutton home. As owner of the local hardware store Mr. Ditz had access to the finest lumber and other materials for their new home. The roof was raised to create a full third floor, finished brick was placed over the rough brick, leaded glass windows were installed on the first floor; a large, balconied Greek Revival front porch and a two-story back porch were added to the home.

The interior was remodeled in1909 , and the house still features the original open back staircase; oak, maple and chestnut woodwork , including carved mantles of the same woods in each room, and the original lighting fixtures. The home is a transitional representation of the late Victorian and early Arts and Crafts Movement.

After the depression years the Ditz family operated a tourist home, today's equivalent of a "Bed & Breakfast."

Today, the home is maintained and operated by the Clarion County Historical Society as a museum with period rooms and exhibit spaces.