Burholme Park facts for kids
Burholme Park is a fun public park located in the Burholme neighborhood of Philadelphia. This park, along with the Robert W. Ryerss Museum and Library, was a special gift to the city. It came from the last member of the wealthy Ryerss family, who were important people in Philadelphia.
Robert W. Ryerss passed away in 1895. He left his estate to his wife, Mary Reed, who had been his housekeeper for many years. He had one important rule: after she passed away, the best part of his land and much of his belongings should go to the "People of Philadelphia, forever." This was meant to be a museum and a public library. Mary Reed Ryerss spent the rest of her life traveling the world. She collected amazing objects for the museum and planned for the library and park.
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History of the Ryerss Estate
The Ryerss Mansion, a big house on the property, was built in 1859. It was built by Joseph Waln Ryerss, who was Robert's father. Joseph was a rich businessman who imported goods from Asia. He was also the president of the Tioga Railroad. The mansion was meant to be the family's summer home.
The Waln family, who often married into the Ryerss family, were also very old and important in Philadelphia. They were descendants of Nicholas Waln, who came to America in 1682, the same year as William Penn. Both the Waln and Ryerss families were part of Philadelphia's high society.
How the Park Became Public
When Joseph W. Ryerss died in 1868, his only son, Robert W. Ryerss, inherited the estate. Robert went to the University of Pennsylvania Law School. But because his family was so wealthy, he didn't need to work. Instead, he spent his time traveling and collecting items. He also used his money to help others.
Robert was a huge reader. He had a library of 11,000 books! He wanted these books to be available to everyone. So, he left them to be used as a public library. The Ryerss Public Library was one of the very first public libraries in Philadelphia. On May 14, 1910, Burholme Park and the Ryerss Museum and Library officially opened to the public.
The Ryerss Family and Their Kindness
The Ryerss family were known for being very kind and generous. They were philanthropists, meaning they loved to help people and good causes. They were also early supporters of animal rights.
Robert's stepmother, Anne Ryerss, was especially caring towards animals. She would take in old and sick work horses at the Burholme estate. When she passed away in 1888, she left a lot of money to care for "aged and infirm" horses. She also left money to create a hospital for them.
A Farm for Horses
Robert W. Ryerss bought an 80-acre farm in Bustleton. He became the first president of the Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines. This farm was one of the first places in the United States to protect horses and other large animals. Today, the Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines still exists in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. It continues to care for horses.
Robert W. Ryerss also helped create other important groups. These included the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He also helped start the Anti-Vivisectionist Society of Pennsylvania. If you visit the museum, you can even see the family’s pet cemetery. You'll also see many paintings the Ryerss family had made of their beloved pets.
What Can You Do at Burholme Park?
Burholme Park is a great place for sports! It has three baseball fields, a football field, and three soccer fields. So, there's plenty of space for different sports teams to play.
The park also has a fun playground for younger kids. And in winter, the park's big hill is a very popular spot for sledding. The park is located near Jeanes Hospital and the Fox Chase Cancer Center. There's also a mini-golf course and a driving range nearby for more fun.
Protecting the Park Land
In 2010, the Fox Chase Cancer Center had plans to expand into part of the park. However, they decided not to go ahead with their plans. A court had ruled that the center was not allowed to build on 19.4 acres of the 65-acre park. This was good news for the park, keeping it open for everyone to enjoy.
The Woods at Burholme
One of the most special parts of Burholme Park is its beautiful wooded areas. These woods truly make the park live up to its name. "Burholme" actually means "house in a woodland setting." It's a peaceful place to explore nature.
