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 house in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It used to be the home of Alexander Ramsey, who was a very important person in Minnesota's history. He was the first governor of the Minnesota Territory and later the second governor of the state of Minnesota. This house is now a historic house museum, which means it's open for people to visit and learn about the past. It's also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which recognizes important historical sites in the United States.
Contents
Who Was Alexander Ramsey?
Alexander Ramsey was a key figure in Minnesota's early days. He served as the first governor of the Minnesota Territory, starting in 1849. Later, when Minnesota became a state, he became its second governor. He helped shape Minnesota as it grew and developed.
Building a Grand Home
The Ramsey House is located at 265 Exchange Street South in the Irvine Park Historic District. This area was one of the first popular neighborhoods in Minnesota. The house was designed by Monroe Sheire, a well-known architect from early Minnesota.
Construction on the house began in 1868. It was built with some very modern features for its time. These included hot water radiators for heating, gas lights, and even hot and cold running water. The house was finished in 1872. The total cost to build it was nearly $41,000, which was a huge amount of money back then!
A Home Full of Treasures
To furnish their new home, Alexander Ramsey's wife, Anna, went on a special shopping trip. She filled two entire train cars with beautiful and expensive furniture. This furniture was in the "Renaissance-revival" style, which was very fashionable. She bought it from the A.T. Stewart Company Store in New York City and brought it all the way back to Minnesota.
The Ramsey House is known as one of the best-preserved Victorian homes in the United States. It still has many of its original furnishings. Visitors can see beautiful carved walnut woodwork, fancy marble fireplaces, and sparkling crystal chandeliers.
Family Life and Celebrations
The Ramsey House was a place for family life and special events. In 1875, the Ramseys' daughter, Marion, got married in the house's parlor. It was a very grand and lavish wedding.
The Ramsey House Today
The Alexander Ramsey House stayed in the Ramsey family for many years. Alexander Ramsey's last surviving granddaughter, Anita, lived there until she passed away in 1964. After her death, the house and everything inside it were given to the Minnesota Historical Society.
Today, the Minnesota Historical Society runs the house as a museum. You can take tours of the house all year long. These tours help visitors imagine what life was like for the Ramsey family in the 1800s.
The museum also offers special programs. For example, during "A Victorian Christmas at the Ramsey House," the house is decorated for the holidays. Visitors can learn how the Ramseys would have prepared for and celebrated Christmas. Tours might show the dining table set with the family's own china and crystal. There's even a Christmas tree decorated with the family's 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
