Alexander Ramsey House

See what it was like to live in the 1870s in a former governor's mansion.

The Alexander Ramsey House was home to the first governor of Minnesota Territory and the second governor of the state of Minnesota. This beautiful mansion was built in the 19th century. It features Victorian-style architectural details and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1969. Alexander Ramsey worked politically in Pennsylvania before he came to Minnesota with his wife and the first of his three children in 1849. He served as Governor of Minnesota, Mayor of St. Paul, a U.S. Senator, and a Secretary of War. Three family generations lived in this home before the death of the last family member in 1964. 

House tours are an hour long and visitors can view special items that belonged to the family and those who worked for them. The museum holds Victorian Christmas Guided Tours during the holiday season with traditional 1875 Christmas cookies baked on the wood-burning stove while beautiful holiday music plays on the piano. The gift shop is in the carriage house and has some great items to purchase throughout the year. The home, history, and stories of this place are fascinating. Learn the legacy of the Ramsey family the next time you're in Minnesota.