The farm was purchased in 1825 by Hezekiah Ramsdell , an itinerant Methodist minister . The main house was believed to date to about 1736 , and was an example of a regionally distinctive Georgian style , with brick end walls . Alice Ramsdell grew up on the farm , learning how to maintain and operate the equipment , and tending to a small apple orchard . In 1955 , the nearby Quinebaug River suffered one of the worst floods on record , one of a number of Connecticut 's rivers to do so . In the aftermath of those floods the USACE developed plans to mitigate future flooding , which included construction of the West Thompson Reservoir . Of more than 50 landowners approached , Alice Ramsdell was the only one to refuse their offer of a buyout ; she then also refused to vacate the premises after the property was taken by eminent domain . After the standoff , she was allowed to remain on the property , paying a nominal rent to the USACE
one of the worst floods on record
1955 Connecticut floods
Hezekiah S. Ramsdell Farm