Ryan House

What should be the future of the Ryan House? Do you even know what the Ryan House is?

The Ryan Family gave the City of Sumner property on Main as an open public park, fully expecting the City to tear the house down at some time. Instead, it was used as the city's library until the 1970s and has since been home to the Sumner Historical Society. Nearly 100 years later, the house is the most historic piece of the property, but it’s being underused, especially given the family’s wishes for an open public space. Last year, thanks to a grant from Pierce County Lodging Tax, the City hired Architectural Resources Group to assess the building, its renovation needs and its possible reuses.

They found the building had some repairs to do but a lot of assets for future reuse. It will remain home to the Historical Society but for displays not full storage. The consultants recommended co-tenants, finding other uses along with the Sumner Historical Society to get Ryan House and its property to take a more active role on Sumner’s Main Street.

What should be the future of the Ryan House? Do you even know what the Ryan House is?

The Ryan Family gave the City of Sumner property on Main as an open public park, fully expecting the City to tear the house down at some time. Instead, it was used as the city's library until the 1970s and has since been home to the Sumner Historical Society. Nearly 100 years later, the house is the most historic piece of the property, but it’s being underused, especially given the family’s wishes for an open public space. Last year, thanks to a grant from Pierce County Lodging Tax, the City hired Architectural Resources Group to assess the building, its renovation needs and its possible reuses.

They found the building had some repairs to do but a lot of assets for future reuse. It will remain home to the Historical Society but for displays not full storage. The consultants recommended co-tenants, finding other uses along with the Sumner Historical Society to get Ryan House and its property to take a more active role on Sumner’s Main Street.