The Environmental Center’s dog trot house is modeled after the home of James Henry and Hannah Louise Chason of the Chason community near Altha, in the panhandle Florida county of Calhoun . Generalized plans were furnished by Hubert L. Chason, son of the owners, who grew up in the original house before World War II. Plans for the house were completed and construction was supervised by Roy L. Hyatt, grandson of the owner.

Construction of the house took place in 1988 by students and teachers of the evening carpentry and masonry classes of the George Stone Vocational-Technical School. The original home no longer exists.

Many of the furnishings were donated by Dr. Betty Hyatt, wife of Roy. The rest of the furnishings were purchased with donations from members of the Environmental Studies Center Associates and Friends of the Center.