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closeSumner’s Ryan House Museum to provide more community access by opening for social gatherings
Sumner Historical Society forms Sumner Social Circle for bi-monthly evening socials and events
Roxanne Cooke
Members of the Sumner Historical Society are aiming to make the Ryan House Museum more inviting, available and accessible to the community.
Socialize, have tea and dessert, make new friends and explore the first floor of the museum during gatherings of the recently formed Sumner Social Circle. The events are hosted from 7 to 9 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month from September through April. Anyone can attend; there are no fees or membership requirements.
The historical society created the bi-monthly event based on feedback from the community, said curator Vicki Connor. Having it open in the evenings will also provide a different group of people a chance to take a peek inside.
“They’ll mention that we’re almost never open,” Connor said of community members. “In order to be available to younger people, we need to be open in the evenings.”
While the museum had more than 100 volunteers in the 1980s, nowadays it’s only 10, and about half are between the ages of 70 and 90, Connor explained.
Currently, the Ryan House is closed to normal tours until Thanksgiving weekend, when it opens for the month of December. In January the museum closes again until the Daffodil Royalty Tea in April, and it remains open from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday – or other times if an appointment is made – until September. The museum closes for cleaning and painting.
Originally the historical society was considering naming the social group the Sumner Sewing Circle, but thought it might discourage some from attending, Connor said.
“That limits it,” she said. “And it might keep men from showing up.”
Being open in the evening twice a month will be sort of an experiment, Connor said. The gatherings offer a chance for community members not available during Ryan House hours to check out the museum.
Many people who may commute might only know a few people in town and want an opportunity to meet new folks, she added. Others might not be available on weekends when the museum is open.
Attending one of the bi-monthly get-togethers could open a door to someone getting involved in the museum, Connor said. Maybe a local is interested in historical photos, for example. During the events, there will be opportunities to go through photos or organize newspaper clippings for anyone interested.
“The word ‘museum’ itself intimidates some people,” Connor said. “People will come in and love the wedding dresses or the hats or something else.”
A handful of longtime Sumner Historical Society members will attend the gatherings to help out, including treasurer Pam Prasch.
“Basically we just want to make the museum more available,” she said. “I think it’s a neat opportunity and I think people will be pleasantly surprised when they come in and see the collection.”
The next gathering of the Sumner Social Circle is Sept. 17.
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SUMNER SOCIAL CIRCLE AT THE RYAN HOUSE MUSEUM
The Sumner Social Circle will meet the first and third Wednesdays of the month from September through next April at Sumner’s Ryan House Museum, 1228 Main St. The next gathering is Sept. 17.
Meet new people, socialize and explore the museum during the social meetings. Feel free to bring portable projects to work on, such as needlework, scrapbooking or sewing. The events are free, refreshments are provided and anyone is welcome. Membership with the Sumner Historical Society is not required. Childcare is not provided.
For regular tour information, call the museum at 253-299-5780, curator Vicki Connor at 253-863-2670 or e-mail museum@ci.sumner.wa.us.