Justus Ramsey House Cornerstone Laying Ceremony

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January 14, 2025 - St. Paul, MN- After its demolition in 2023, the Justus Ramsey House will see new life on the grounds of the Minnesota Transportation Museum. Crews will lay the historic cornerstone in a special ceremony on January 14 at 1:00 p.m. to mark the start of the building’s second life at the museum.

The Justus Ramsey House was built in 1853 by the brother of Minnesota’s first territorial governor, Alexander Ramsey. Despite being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, and an outpouring of community support to save the building, a demolition permit was issued in 2023. In the final days, preservationists, tradespeople, and volunteers were allowed to document, measure, and store the salvageable pieces of the structure to put in storage until a new location could be found.

After a bidding process, the Minnesota Transportation Museum was chosen as the new home of the Justus Ramsey House. Plans are underway to develop stories around Pullman Porters who lived in the home and the surrounding neighborhood along West Seventh where the building once sat.

The cornerstone laying event will be followed by a brief talk and social hour inside the roundhouse, where visitors will learn more about plans for exhibits, curriculum, and community outreach opportunities. The event begins at 1:00 p.m. outside in the parking lot of the Minnesota Transportation Museum, 193 Pennsylvania Avenue East, St. Paul. Parking is limited. For more information contact (651) 228-0263.