The Homecoming: A Victorian Christmas at the Ramsey House

Alexander Ramsey House, St. Paul MN

Dates: Nov. 20, 2009, Nov. 21, 2009, Nov. 22, 2009, Nov. 25, 2009, Nov. 27, 2009, Nov. 28, 2009, Nov. 29, 2009, Dec. 2, 2009, Dec. 3, 2009, Dec. 4, 2009, Dec. 5, 2009, Dec. 6, 2009, Dec. 9, 2009, Dec. 10, 2009, Dec. 11, 2009, Dec. 12, 2009, Dec. 13, 2009, Dec. 16, 2009, Dec. 17, 2009, Dec. 18, 2009, Dec. 19, 2009, Dec. 20, 2009, Dec. 23, 2009, Dec. 26, 2009, Dec. 27, 2009, Dec. 30, 2009, Dec. 31, 2009, Jan. 2, 2010, Jan. 3, 2010

Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays; noon to 3 p.m. Sundays

Fee: $9 adults; $7 seniors and college students; $6 children age 4-17; $2 discount for MHS members.

Reservations: recommended, call 651-296-8760

Tour one of the nation's premier Victorian-era mansions decorated for the holidays. A guide will lead visitors through the parlor, where a 12-foot Christmas tree will be trimmed with blown glass ornaments. View original Ramsey family heirlooms including the dining room table set for 1875 Christmas dinner with Mrs. Ramsey's Havilland china and hear stories about the Ramsey's from family letters and diaries. Music will be playing on the 1875 Steinway piano. Meet Annie, the Ramseys' longtime cook and sample cookies fresh from the wood-burning stove. Visit the Carriage House for hot cider and shop for unique Victorian gifts. Tours start every 30 minutes.

Create A Victorian Boxwood Tree

Alexander Ramsey House, St. Paul MN

Dates: Nov. 21, 2009

Time: Two classes are offered: 10 a.m. to noon or 1 to 3 p.m.

Fee: $55; $10 discount for MHS and Minnesota State Horticultural Society members.

Reservations: required, call 651-643-3601 ext. 211

Instructor and floral designer Ardith Beveridge will lead participants in creating a Victorian decorated boxwood tree using evergreens, a foam form, ornaments and ribbons. Participants will work on a 12-inch tree. Bring a pair of gloves and clippers. The class includes hot cider, cookies and a short house tour to view the Ramseys' preparations for Christmas in the 1872 mansion. Co-sponsored by the Minnesota State Horticultural Society.

Horse Drawn Carriage Rides

Alexander Ramsey House, St. Paul MN

Dates: Nov. 28, 2009, Dec. 5, 2009, Dec. 19, 2009

Time: 1 to 5 p.m.; rides leave every 15 minutes

Fee: $12, $10 for MHS members

Reservations: recommended, call 651-296-8760

Take a trip back to the 1870s to celebrate the holidays with a spin in a horse-drawn carriage around scenic Historic Irvine Park. Bring a camera, volunteers will be available to take your photo. Rides last 15 minutes.

A Little Steinway Music

Alexander Ramsey House, St. Paul MN

Dates: Dec. 3, 2009, Dec. 4, 2009

Time: 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Fee: $17; $2 discount for MHS members

Reservations: required, call 651-296-8760

Enjoy a musical comedy performed in the Ramseys' elegant parlor decorated for the holidays. The play is an original short story produced by Walking Boxes theatre group and inspired by Victorian life, with dramatic readings and music played on the 1872 Steinway piano. A first floor tour of the house is included. Not recommended for children under 6.

Victorian Santa Claus

Alexander Ramsey House, St. Paul MN

Dates: Dec. 12, 2009

Time: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Fee: $9 adults, $7 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6 to 17, $3 children ages 5 and under; $2 discount for MHS members

Head to the Carriage House to meet a Victorian-era Santa Claus. At the top of each hour from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. listen in as Santa Claus reads from the 1823 poem, "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Before and after the readings, children can make their own ornaments and tell Santa what they would like for Christmas. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera to take their own photos. Optional tour of the mansion included.

The Doll’s Victorian Christmas

Alexander Ramsey House, St. Paul MN

Dates: Dec. 16, 2009

Time: Tours leave at 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m.

Fee: $10 adults; $9 seniors and children ages 17 and under. $2 discount for MHS members.

Reservations: required, call 651-296-8760

The Ramsey collection includes many dolls and a special dollhouse built for the youngest granddaughter, Laura Furness. Take a special child's tour that features stories of dolls, the mansion decorated for Christmas, and hot cider and cookies. Participants are encouraged to bring a doll and dress in holiday attire. A holiday craft activity will be available in the Carriage House.

Farewell to 2009 Candlelight Tour

Alexander Ramsey House, St. Paul MN

Dates: Dec. 31, 2009

Time: Tours leave every 30 min. at 6:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m.

Fee: $10 adults, $9 seniors, college students and children ages 6-17, $8 children age 5 and under; $2 discount for MHs members.

Reservations: required, call 651-296-8760

Follow a path lit with luminaries to the historic site's front door and begin a candlelit evening tour of one of the country's premier Victorian homes. Guides dressed for a New Year’s Eve ball will lead visitors through the house. Sample cake and punch from Mrs. Ramsey's recipe and join in a sing along around the piano.

The Pleasure of Your Call is Requested

Alexander Ramsey House, St. Paul MN

Dates: Jan. 1, 2010

Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fee: $9 adults, $7 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6 to 17; $3 for children ages 5 and under; $2 discount for MHS members.

Reservations: recommended, call 651-296-8760

Alexander Ramsey wrote in his journal, on Jan. 1, 1875: "Day was pleasant and wife had about 100 callers." Calls, or brief formal visits, were typical social behavior in the Victorian Age. Make your own call on the Ramsey House this New Year. Enjoy the Ramsey House's holiday décor while you hear more about the calling ritual, the etiquette and decorum expected of proper visitors, and see how Minnesotans celebrated New Year’s Day in the 19th century. After the tour visit the gift shop for a New Years Day sale.