April 19 — Go get some history

The Ryan House Museum in Sumner is open for another season of fun events and historical lessons

Andrew Hosford / of The Herald

The winter wait is over as the Ryan House Museum in Sumner opened its doors for a new season of events and exhibits this past Sunday, April 15.

“It’s a better experience than what has been the last few years,” said Vicki Connor, president of the Sumner Historical Society, which manages the museum.

The historical society is constantly working to keep the displays up to date and interesting.

Connor, along with the 15 board members and other volunteers, has added many new items to displays.

“The idea is that we have a living, continuing collection,” Connor said.

This off-season, she found new photos of the Parker and Thompson families, the namesakes of two streets in Sumner.

She also came across some new Daffodil Festival memorabilia. Connor said her goal is to become the official museum of the festival.

The museum has photos of the past princesses and queens dating back to 1926 when the festival was known as the Trout Banquet.

Recently, the museum loaned two of the official gowns to a new Fife museum but they have plenty of other daffodil-related items, she said.

“It’s like being a detective, I keep pulling things out of everywhere,” she said. Extra rooms in the home are used for storage and are stuffed with historical items.

The home was built in 1862 and the original land claim, signed by President Ulysses S. Grant, hangs on the wall.

All of the rooms of the old farmhouse are utilized to show the progression of Sumner from a one-home town to its current look.

“We perpetuate the history of Sumner,” said Stan Purvis, an original board member since the society’s inception 35 years ago.

People who visit the museum are often looking for clues that connect the past, he said.

“We can dig up the information for someone looking for any kind of history in Sumner,” Purvis said.

He added that if they cannot find it, they point the person in the right direction.

In addition to tours of the museum, the house participates in and hosts a variety of events throughout the summer.

The annual ice cream social is the museum’s only free event with all donations going back to the home’s current owner.

“It’s our way of showing our regards to the city,” Purvis said. “We are dependent on the city taking care of the building.”

Connor expects the larger crowds this year through the house because of the number of events on Main Street.

She credits the Sumner Downtown Association with attracting more foot traffic.

“We’re easy to find because we are on Main Street,” Connor said.