Ryers, Philadelphia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ryers
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| Country |  United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Philadelphia |
| City | Philadelphia |
| Area code(s) | 215, 267 and 445 |
Ryers is a neighborhood found in Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Its borders are Cottman Avenue (PA 73) to the southwest and Fillmore Street to the northwest. These roads help separate Philadelphia from Cheltenham and Rockledge in Montgomery County.
The Fox Chase Line train tracks separate Ryers from the Burholme neighborhood. Also, Fox Chase is next to Ryers along Hartel Street on the northeast side.
Contents
History of Ryers: How It Got Its Name
The name Ryers comes from the Ryerss Estate. This estate is a large property located in Burholme Park on Central Avenue.
Who Was Joseph Waln Ryerss?
The Ryerss Estate was first owned by a man named Joseph Waln Ryerss. He later passed the estate down to his son, Robert Ryerss. Robert was a lawyer.
Robert Ryerss and the Estate's Future
Robert Ryerss lived to be sixty-five years old. Eight months before he passed away, he married his housekeeper, Mary Ann Reed. They had known each other for many years.
Robert's will, which is a legal document about what happens to his property after he dies, had a special rule. It said that after Mary Ann died, the estate should be given to the city of Philadelphia. The city was to use it as a park, a library, and a museum. The best part was that it had to be "free to the public."
The Ryerss Museum and Library Opens
Before Mary Ann Ryerss passed away, she got married again. In 1905, she gave the property to the city of Philadelphia.
The Ryerss Museum and Library officially opened its doors to the public in 1910. It was managed by the Fairmount Park Commission at first. Later, it was given to the Free Library of Philadelphia to manage. This means the Ryerss Estate became a place for everyone to enjoy books and learn.
