The original structure, built in 1876, served as the Versailles Female College. The Cleveland Orphan Institution Corporation, through the estate of John Cleveland, the original benefactor, purchased the property through cooperation of their board of directors and local government with the help of the Optimists Club. It was razed in 1925 with the existing structure being built in 1927 which is listed on the National Historic Register and now serves as host to numerous visitors from around the world.