Oldest house in Alexandria owned by William Ramsay, a Founder, Trustee, and the first Mayor of Alexandria in 1749. Later occupied by his son Dennis Ramsay and his descendants. Interest in preserving the house was initiated by Edward C. Van Devanter. It was purchased by the City in 1944 to prevent its demolition. The Alexandria Historical Society, Inc. was then authorized by the City Council to undertake the restoration. The work was commenced through gifts by the Alexandria Association and public spirited citizens.
SITE FEATURES
Surviving Structures
On this site...
William Ramsay was a Scottish merchant, city founder and Alexandria's first postmaster. In November 1748, three Scottish settlers, William Ramsay, John Carlyle and John Pagan, sailed up the Potomac River from Dumfries, Virginia, to look for a better trading port.
HOME
EST. 1749
They chose a site about four miles north of the creek at the public tobacco warehouses on West's Point, and petitioned the House of Burgesses to establish a town at the location. They sought the creation of a port to facilitate the shipping and trade of tobacco and other crops between the colony and Europe and England. The petition was accepted and in May of 1749, Governor Gooch signed the bill establishing the new town. It was to be called Alexandria, in honor of the Scottish Alexander family on whose land it would rise. A few months later, lots were surveyed and auctioned off on a sultry two days, July 13-14, 1749. The main thoroughfares through the new community became Fairfax Street and Cameron Street.
HISTORIC PEOPLE
George Washington
Commander-in-Chief
George Mason
Delegate