KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (SUBMITTED) -- Ramsey House Plantation will celebrate its 45th annual Country Market Fall Festival on Saturday, October 24th and Sunday, October 25th. This traditional country fair, which continues to draw thousands of visitors year after year, features quality antiques and collectibles from knowledgeable dealers, antique appraisals, folk art, traditional crafts, plants, heirloom seeds, garden ornaments, gourmet foods, antique appraisals, live music, and much more! Antique appraisals will be provided by John Case. Other attractions will include old-fashioned wagon rides, a silent auction, children’s train rides, a cakewalk, door prizes, interpretive tours, and heritage garden talks. This year, Ramsey House is pleased to have Neal Denton and Master Gardeners from the Knox County Extension Master Gardener’s Program, along with Jon Damron, from the Sevier County Master Gardener’s Program (and Ramsey House’s favorite volunteer gardener!), to discuss various aspects of gardening with visitors.

Also joining Country Market this year will be special guest, Bill Landry, so if you didn’t have an opportunity to meet Bill this summer at the Museum of Appalachia, now is your chance! For a donation toward repairing the log smoke house situated on the Ramsey House property, Bill will even sit down and chat with you for a spell!

Offered for the 2nd year at Country Market will be special “Behind the Scenes Tours.” These two tours are available to visitors by advance reservations and consist of the following: Tour A will be guided by archeologist, Dr. Charles Faulkner, who has done extensive excavations on the grounds. Dr. Faulkner will take visitors into the historic cellar and discuss its secrets, tell of his archeological findings on the property, display artifacts, and answer questions. Tour B will give visitors the opportunity to take an in-depth tour with restoration specialist and Ramsey House Conservator, James Hooper, who will go into detail about the period furnishings, their origins and maintenance, and about the historic home itself in regard to preservation, maintenance, and repairs. Mr. Hooper may also give away some of the home’s “secrets” which are not part of the regular daily tours. These two tours are reservation-only tours and cost $15.00 per person. Call (865) 546-0745 for tour times and to make reservations. Since space is limited, early reservations are encouraged.

Parking at the event is $5. Regular tours of the historic home are $5 with children under 10 free. Special “Behind the Scenes Tours” are $15.00 and reservations must be made by calling (865) 546-0745. The fee for our special Halloween tour, “A Haunting at Ramsey,” on Saturday night at 6:00 pm is $5.00.

A stately two-story Georgian house of native pink marble and limestone, Ramsey House was built for East Tennessee pioneer Col. Francis Alexander Ramsey by Knoxville’s first architect, Thomas Hope of Charleston, between 1795 and 1797. Considered significant for its outstanding architectural features, it is also important as home of a very important founding family of Knoxville whose numerous contributions included the first railroad through Knoxville; the first steamboat in Knoxville; the first elected mayor of Knoxville; and, the first medical facility in Knoxville. Among the legacies of the Ramsey family still viable and dynamic today are the University of Tennessee and the East Tennessee Historical Society. Ramsey House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Proceeds from Country Market are a major source of support for the preservation and maintenance of the historic house museum, its decorative arts collection, educational activities, and the 109-acre farm and heritage gardens. These proceeds also help to keep the site open six days a week year-round, make possible reduced admission for educational groups; enable the delivery of program services that interpret the cultural, agricultural, and material history of early East Tennessee; and help bring outstanding exhibitions and special events to the people of our region.

Major sponsors of Country Market include Home Federal Bank, Pilot Oil Company, Knoxville News Sentinel, ETP-TV, and WDVX Radio.

For complete details of attractions and directions, log on to RamseyHouse.org or call 865-546-0745.

(This information was submitted by the Ramsey House Plantation.)