The Home: This fine Italianate structure was built around 1840 by John Norgate.  Built before electricity or indoor plumbing, it's an architecural marvel. From the elaborate roof brackets to the giant crown molding made entirely of plaster, the elements astound our modern contractors.

The Town:  The house was built in what is now known as the town of Richmond. The history of the Richmond area spans more than 6,000 years and includes the imprint of many cultures       and nations. Several ancient Native American sites lie within the present boundaries of Richmond. A major Iroquois settlement (of the Seneca Nation) was called Hannayaye after the nearby lake (Honeoye). A military expedition to destroy the power of the Seneca was led by Gen. John Sullivan in 1779. The campaign burned crops and Seneca villages and left the Honeoye valley desolated. In 1783, New York State started taking control of native land and the Dighton Purchase was completed in 1789. The area near the foot of Honeoye Lake was settled by Capt. Peter Pitts. In 1797, the Honeoye area was named Pittstown and contained the present towns of Richmond Canadice, Livonia, and half of Conesus. By 1808 Livonia had become independent and the remianing area was named Honeoye again. In 1815, the town was named after Abigail Richmond Pitts and remains Richmond to this day. The Little Lakes Inn resides in the hamlet of Honeoye within the Richmond township and has a Livonia mailing address.