Historic Ramsey House
Historic Ramsey House
4.5
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Last tour begins at 3 pm. Historic Ramsey House was built in 1797 by Knoxville's first builder, Thomas Hope, for Francis Alexander Ramsey. It was known at that time as the finest home in Tennessee. The house, constructed of Tennessee pink marble, is significant for its original interior and exterior architectural features and its period decorative art collection. Ramsey House was bought in 1952 by the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities, along with one acre of land. Today, the site consists of 101.5 acres, a historic house restored and furnished to the period of Francis A. Ramsey's occupancy, and a Visitor Center located in a beautiful country setting.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
57 reviews
Excellent
35
Very good
17
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Eveline C
Jacksonville, FL206 contributions
Sep 2013 • Solo
I stopped at Ramsey House not expecting very much. I was in for a pleasant surprise. First of all go there by way of John Sevier Highway and enjoy the pretty drive. The house itself is plain enough from the outside, but imposing in a stark way from the fact that it is entirely made of stone. The docent that gave the tour was very pleasant and enthusiastic about her job. We were only 3 touring the house and were able to take our time. What makes this such a pleasant visit is the lovely period furniture and artifacts in the house. The kitchen was also most interesting. There is a picnic table outside if one is inclined to a littke bite al fresco.
Written October 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,751 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
The Historic Ramsey House is a two-story stone house in Knox County, Tennessee, located at 2614 Thorngrove Pike, just off John Sevier Highway (State Highway 168), near Knoxville, that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969 because of its unique architecture and its role in the region's early 19th century history. Also known as Swan Pond, the house was built in 1797 by English architect Thomas Hope for Colonel Francis Alexander Ramsey, whose family operated a plantation on the site until the Civil War. It is situated in a broad valley just over a mile east of Forks-of-the-River, where the Holston River and French Broad River join to form the Tennessee River. The property, which is managed by the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities (APTA), includes the Ramsey House, a visitor's center and gardens and covers 101.5 acres. The Ramsey House is a two-story Late Georgian house, built primarily of local pink marble with blueish-gray limestone trim. The blueish-gray limestone forms a belt around the house about midway up the walls and also forms the house's four corners. The house has a kitchen wing with the southwest corner of the kitchen wing joining the northeast corner of the main house. Exterior ornamentation includes hand-carved cornices and window arches consisting of nine narrow stones each. The house's interior follows a central hall floor plan. The front door opens into a hallway with a library/parlor room to the left and a dining room to the right. The second floor has two bedrooms. The house has three chimneys--one at both ends of the main wing and one at the end of the kitchen wing--and six fireplaces. The interior has been outfitted with period furniture, most notably two Chippendale chairs given to Francis Alexander Ramsey and his wife Peggy as a wedding present. The Ramsey family fled to South Carolina when the Union army occupied Knoxville during the Civil War and never returned. They sold Ramsey House in 1866. In 1952, APTA's Knoxville Chapter purchased the house and began restoring it. Today, it maintains the house and grounds as a museum, which is open to the public for tours.
Written April 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EmmiD
Rocky Face, GA72 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
On Spring and Summer weekend afternoons you might find free vintage baseball games on the back lawn of the Ramsey House. Take a picnic and some cfairz and relax
This is a lovely historical site. Ride the steam engine to and from the Ramsey house to really soak up late 1800s life.
This is a lovely historical site. Ride the steam engine to and from the Ramsey house to really soak up late 1800s life.
Written July 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OHWanderingProf
Tennessee197 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
The Ramsey House was the destination of our Three Rivers Rambler train excursion. We spent our afternoon watching vintage base ball and touring this historic house.
You don't have to take the train to see the house or the base ball game. You can drive their own your own and park on the grounds. Food (for purchase) and restrooms are available.
The tour of the house was not included with our train fare (not that we expected it would be) but set us back only $7 each. The house, built in the late 1700s, is stone rather than wood, which made it more interesting to tour because this is somewhat unusual in this region for this period. The period pieces, although few were original, added a nice touch. The docent provided good information and interacted with the children to help it be meaningful for them.
You don't have to take the train to see the house or the base ball game. You can drive their own your own and park on the grounds. Food (for purchase) and restrooms are available.
The tour of the house was not included with our train fare (not that we expected it would be) but set us back only $7 each. The house, built in the late 1700s, is stone rather than wood, which made it more interesting to tour because this is somewhat unusual in this region for this period. The period pieces, although few were original, added a nice touch. The docent provided good information and interacted with the children to help it be meaningful for them.
Written July 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mpcconsulteng
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada13 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
Our visit to the Ramsey house was excellent. The film at the beginning of the tour was interesting and worth the time. It explained the basic reason for the building and the life of the occupants. Our tour guide was fantastic. She explained information and the purpose of articles and history of the family. She was enthusiastic about the house and volunteered the interesting facts. We left feeling well satisfied and very knowledgeable about the family, the buildings, and even the sayings of the day. This house is beautiful, well fitted and certainly comes with excellent staff. Those interested in history, art or architecture will enjoy this tour immensely. Thank you. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada
Written May 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnnR327
Marshall, Michigan, United States145 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
My husband and I found this listed on the atlas on our way down to Gatlinburg, and decided to make a detour to visit it. Our docent, a retired teacher who is apparently a volunteer, went out of her way to make us feel a part of the home's history as she talked about the various sayings of the day, including mind your beeswax and pop goes the weasel! I have an entirely new understanding of what a "housewife" is.
The tour was not rushed, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We were surprised at the stone work of the home, which resembled a home that one would expect to see if Bucks County, PA, rather than TN. The movie that we watched prior to taking the tour was information, and shed light on many of the issues of the day, including illness and the War between the States. I would strongly encourage anyone interested in history, architecture, or even gardens, to please take this tour. You will not be disappointed!
The tour was not rushed, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We were surprised at the stone work of the home, which resembled a home that one would expect to see if Bucks County, PA, rather than TN. The movie that we watched prior to taking the tour was information, and shed light on many of the issues of the day, including illness and the War between the States. I would strongly encourage anyone interested in history, architecture, or even gardens, to please take this tour. You will not be disappointed!
Written May 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
recyclmom
Bristol, Tennessee2 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
Our visit was outstanding. Our guide was the most enjoyable part of the visit and we have seen/visited many historic sights. She knew the site history with significant detail and told the 'story' with zeal and passion. Thanks for a job well done - this visit ended a fantastic day!!
Written September 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patty L
Nashville, TN4,404 contributions
Jun 2015 • Solo
After finally finding the plantation as there are many twisty turns to arrive, I found the surrounding grounds so beautiful and peaceful. There are many old trees and history to walk around. I was disappointed as I was informed at the gift shop that the house was closed due to air conditioning failure. Especially since I had to put much effort into getting there from downtown Knoxville. The house, however, from the outside is beautiful and reminiscent of days of old. I will go back soon as the air should be fixed very soon. Just perusing the outside alone is worth the visit.
Written June 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eauzone1
Southampton, UK37 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
On holiday from the UK
Saw this house was open Wednesday - Saturday. Drove from Maryville arrived at 11.50am today Thursday 9th April to find it closed even though looking on the Internet it said it was open to 4pm.
Paul Southampton UK
Saw this house was open Wednesday - Saturday. Drove from Maryville arrived at 11.50am today Thursday 9th April to find it closed even though looking on the Internet it said it was open to 4pm.
Paul Southampton UK
Written April 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Paul,
We sincerely apologize that you came to visit the site and found it closed. Our regular hours are indeed 10 AM to 4 PM, Wednesday through Saturday. As a small museum, we have a small staff and occasionally need to close during our regular hours for a variety of reasons, such as staff illness. Again, we do sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and hope that if you are ever in the area again you will consider returning to visit Historic Ramsey House.
Sincerely,
Lisa Susner
Historic Ramsey House
Written August 28, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jennifer C
Carrollwood, FL12 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
The tour was interesting and informative. The docent was knowledgable and friendly. I would recommend doing the 7 historic homes of Knoxville.
Written March 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingHistoric Ramsey House - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Historic Ramsey House
- Historic Ramsey House is open:
- Wed - Sat 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Hotels near Historic Ramsey House:
- (5.23 mi) Hyatt Place Knoxville/Downtown
- (5.54 mi) The Tennessean
- (5.35 mi) The Oliver Hotel
- (5.27 mi) Embassy Suites by Hilton Knoxville Downtown
- (5.71 mi) Cumberland House Knoxville, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
- Restaurants near Historic Ramsey House:
- (5.23 mi) Five Thirty Lounge
- (5.50 mi) Chesapeake's Downtown
- (5.35 mi) Yassin's Falafel House
- (1.13 mi) Cruze Farm Pizza Barn
- (5.33 mi) The French Market Creperie
Historic Ramsey House Information
Excellent Reviews | 35 |
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Very Good Reviews | 17 |
Historic Ramsey House Photos | 35 |