Alexander Ramsey House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Alexander Ramsey House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The Alexander Ramsey House from the southeast
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 265 Exchange Street South Saint Paul, Minnesota |
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| Built | 1868 |
| Architect | Monroe Sheire, John Summers |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| Part of | Irvine Park Historic District (ID73000993) |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000077 |
| Added to NRHP | November 25, 1969 |
The Alexander Ramsey House is a special old home in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It's now a historic house museum, which means it's kept just as it was long ago so people can visit and learn. This house was once the home of Alexander Ramsey. He was a very important person in Minnesota's history. He was the first governor of Minnesota Territory and later the second governor of the state of Minnesota.
This house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's recognized as an important historical site in the United States. It's also part of the Irvine Park Historic District, a neighborhood known for its beautiful old buildings.
Contents
Discovering the Alexander Ramsey House
The Alexander Ramsey House is located at 265 Exchange Street South. It's in the Irvine Park area of Saint Paul. This area was one of the first popular and fancy neighborhoods in Minnesota.
Building a Grand Home
The Ramsey family started building their house in 1868. It was designed by Monroe Sheire, a well-known architect from early Minnesota. When it was finished in 1872, the house cost almost $41,000. This was a huge amount of money back then!
The house was very modern for its time. It had new features like hot water radiators for heating. It also had gas lights and hot and cold running water. These were amazing inventions for the 1870s.
Furnishing the House
To furnish their new home, Ramsey's wife, Anna, went shopping in New York. She bought many stylish and expensive pieces of furniture. These were in the "Renaissance-revival" style, which was popular then. Anna filled two train cars with furniture from the A.T. Stewart Company Store. She brought them all the way back to Minnesota.
The house itself is a great example of Victorian architecture. It has beautiful carved walnut wood details. You can also see fancy marble fireplaces and sparkling crystal chandeliers. Many of the original furnishings are still inside the house today.
Life in the Ramsey Home
The Ramsey family lived in this house for many years. It was a place for family life and special events.
A Family Wedding
In 1875, the Ramseys' daughter, Marion, got married in the house. Her wedding to Charles Furness was a very grand event. It took place right in the house's parlor.
The House's Legacy
The Alexander Ramsey House stayed in the Ramsey family for a long time. The last family member to live there was Alexander Ramsey's granddaughter, Anita. She passed away in 1964. After her death, the house and everything inside it were given to the Minnesota Historical Society.
Visiting the Museum Today
The Minnesota Historical Society now runs the Alexander Ramsey House as a museum. You can take tours of the house all year round. It's a great way to step back in time and see how people lived in the late 1800s.
Special Holiday Events
The museum offers special programs, like "A Victorian Christmas at the Ramsey House." During the holidays, the house is decorated just as the Ramseys would have done. Visitors can learn how the family prepared for and celebrated Christmas. You might see the dining table set with the family's own china and crystal. There's also a Christmas tree decorated with their original ornaments.
Images for kids
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Ramsey House large parlor ca. 1884
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Ramsey House reception room ca. 1884
See also
In Spanish: Casa de Alexander Ramsey para niños
