Ramsey House

Ramsey House was built in 1797 by Knoxville's first builder, Thomas Hope, for Francis Alexander Ramsey.  The structure is significant for original interior and exterior architectural features and its period decorative art collection.

The Ramsey Family was one of the first families to settle the Knoxville area. They played vital roles in developing civic, educational and cultural institutions. Colonel Francis A. Ramsey was one of the founding trustees of Blount College, now the University of Tennessee. One of his sons, Dr. J.G.M. Ramsey authored an early history of the state, The Annals of Tennessee. Another son, William B.A. Ramsey, was the first elected mayor of Knoxville.

The historic house was bought in 1952 by the A.P.T.A., along with one acre of land. Today, the site consists of 101.5 acres, a historic house restored and furnished to the period of Frances A. Ramsey's occupancy (1797-1820), a Visitor Center, and heirloom gardens.

Ramsey House Plantation is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Ramsey House - View from the Front*

 

Built in 1797, Ramsey House is the first stone home in Knox County. Thomas Hope, the architect of the home, was English-born and trained in Charleston, South Carolina.
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Ramsey House - View from the North Side*

 

Ramsey House boasts the first attached kitchen in Tennessee, which was added five years after the home was built. The attached kitchen replaced the typical "dog-trot" style of the South where the kitchen was typically stand-alone with a breezeway between it and the house.
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View from Second Floor Landing*

 

View from the second floor landing into the first floor's central passage.
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Profile of Woodwork on Stairway to Second Floor*

 

This scrolled, wood detail along the First Floor Staircase became the signature of the architect.
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Chippendale Style Chair Original to the Home*

 

Purchased in South Carolina, a pair of Chippendale chairs was a gift from Peggy Ramsey's father to Colonel and Peggy Ramsey upon their marriage.
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Period Pewterware*

 

Ramsey House Plantation is a museum for the fact that the home is entirely furnished with period furniture and housewares.
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Dolls Original to the Ramsey Family*

 

These dolls belonged to Eliza Jane Ramsey, Colonel Ramsey's only daughter.
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Boots*

 

Child's Period Leather Shoes.
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Children's Room

 

Period coverlet over a rope bed in the Children's Room.
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Children's Room

 

Bright and cheerful period coverlet and furniture in the Children's Room.
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Parlor

 

This silver tea service was a gift from Colonel Ramsey to his son J.G.M. upon his marriage. The set is Forrester & Gardner from Boston, dating from 1800 - 1813.
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Parlor Secretary

 

Lovely, period secretary in the Parlor.
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Kitchen

 

View of Kitchen outfitted with period furnishings and tools.
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Kitchen Table

 

This table setting in the Kitchen was most likely used by enslaved Africans rather than the Ramsey Family, who would have dined in the Great Hall.
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Piano Forte

 

In the Visitor's Center--This Piano Forte dates to 1770. It was crafted by Christian Bauman, Mozart's piano maker.
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Vistor's Center Exhibits

 

Exhibits in the Visitor's Center includes a collection of handmade dolls in Ramsey period dress, farming utensils and archaeological finds from the property.