This historical home in St. Paul offers a glimpse of what it was like to live in the city in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The home was built by Alexander Ramsey, who was an early governor of Minnesota. Although it's called a "house," it is a "mansion" by historical standards. It is built in a Victorian style, with intricate woodwork and chandeliers. There are walking tours year-round by guides dressed in period costumes. On the day we were there, someone dressed in a period costume was baking cookies and offered each of us a warm cookie fresh from the oven. The house is located in a beautiful residential area of the city, and it is worth the visit. The yard and gardens are small but lovely. The house would be challenging for wheelchairs or people with walking disabilities, however -- and I suspect young children may be bored. It is definitely a "listen, look, but don't touch" kind of outing.

We went on a tour of this neat old house over the holidays. Docents dressed in period costumes led us through the main floor rooms, the second floor master bedroom and bath and some third floor rooms. They provided lots of interesting information about the history of the house, the people who lived there and how the house functioned. Free parking is provided. Climbing stairs required. An interesting special thing to do for the holidays.