Governor Ross Mansion: A Glimpse into Delaware's Antebellum Past

Step back in time at the Governor Ross Mansion, located in Seaford, Delaware, and delve into the life and times of William Henry Harrison Ross, Delaware's governor from 1851 to 1855. This meticulously restored, two-story Italianate-style mansion, built in 1859, showcases the elegance of the Victorian era. Explore the mansion's interior, which retains its original plaster moldings, Victorian trim, doors, and inside shutters, offering a glimpse into the Ross family's lifestyle. The mansion is filled with period furnishings. The site also features several outbuildings, including a granary, stable, smokehouse, and corn cribs, providing a comprehensive view of a 19th-century agricultural enterprise. A particularly significant feature is the only documented log slave quarter in Delaware, offering a stark reminder of the realities of slavery during this period. Ross, though popular for bringing the railroad to southern Delaware, was a slave owner and Confederate sympathizer. When the Civil War began and Delaware sided with the North, Ross fled to England. The Governor Ross Mansion stands as a reminder of pre-Civil War life. The Seaford Historical Society purchased the mansion in 1976 and has since restored it. Today, the mansion and its grounds serve as a historic house museum, offering guided tours that provide insights into the Ross family, Delaware's history, and the complexities of the pre-Civil War era.