In 1807, Joseph Thomson, from Peru, Mass., erected a one-and-a-half-story building along the well-traveled road to Braddock's Bay at what is now Riga Center, N.Y. His partner, David Tuttle, remained in Peru minding another store and sending supplies to Thomson, who was busy establishing a trading post in their new building on the western New York frontier.

Food and refreshment were available to those journeying through the area or coming to Thomson's for supplies. Drovers passing to and from the Niagara region found lodging for the night in one of three upstairs bed chambers. A large arched ceiling meeting room or ballroom on the second floor could accommodate additional overnight guests when the place was crowded. A large brick oven in the basement baked bread for nearby settlers whose rude dwellings did not boast ovens.

The Thomson's trading post storeroom of is based upon old account books from a store and trading post operated during the same period by John Tryon on Irondequoit Bay. Thomson's old place, which served as a store and post office, meeting place and bakery, came from Warren Adams, whose family held the property since acquiring it from Thomson's heirs in 1845.