The town of Ceredo was founded in 1857
by Eli Thayer, a strong abolitionist who was determined to prove
that a town could be prosperous without the use of slave labor.
The following year, he personally invited another abolitionist
from the Boston area, Zopher D. Ramsdell, to join him.
Z.D. Ramsdell was a businessman who soon
settled in the area and opened a boot and shoe factory. In
1858, Ramsdell completed his home at 1108 B Street, Ceredo, a
lot he purchased from the Jordan family. This brick building
was the first of its kind in Ceredo, and was built by Mr. Denney
Shine, a mason with the Chase Brothers Contractors. The home was
built atop a mound, rumored to be an Adena Indian burial mound,
and also contained a "hidden" basement.
According to local legend, this hidden
basement was used as part of the Underground Railroad. Slaves
would be sheltered there before being ferried out during the
night across the Ohio River into Lawrence County, Ohio.
During the outbreak of the Civil War,
Ramsdell enlisted with the Union Army as a member of the Quarter
Master Corp in the Fifth Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry.
He was later promoted to Captain. After the war, he returned to
Ceredo, where he was appointed as a special agent of the post
office, elected to the WV State Senate (1869-1870) and sat on
the board of commissioners for the Ceredo Independent School
District. He was also instrumental in writing legislation
establishing the area's first "free schools" for ex-slaves.
Ramsdell lived in the home until his
death in 1886, and the home remained in the family until 1977.
By 1982, the city had appointed a Historical Landmark Commission
and together with the American Legion, restored the building.
Visitors to today's museum may notice a big steel "S" on the
side of the house, supporting a bar that stabilizes the
structure.
Due to its involvement with the
Underground Railroad and its location atop an Adena Mound, many
ghost stories arise from the Ramsdell Home. Poltergeist activity
such as doors opening and closing and lights switching on and
off on their own accord are commonplace. In addition, it is
rumored that you can hear the moans of slaves and chains
rattling in the "hidden" basement. Apparitions of slaves have
also been seen, as it is rumored that there are several who are
buried on the property. Several Civil War veteran's graves are
also said to be located on the property.
National Register Application
