NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO any and all rightful and lawful heirs of Lucy V. Ryan. During the recent demolition of the Ryan House structure, the City’s contractor salvaged as much of the old house as could safely be removed. The City of Sumner invites all Ryan family heirs to Sumner Cemetery (12324 Valley Ave E, Puyallup, WA 98372) on October 1, 2025, during the hours of 8am-12pm to view and take any of the salvaged portions of the structure they desire. The salvaged items include doors, lights, windows, mantels, wood trim, stairway railing/treads, beams, and much more.
Heirs should arrive at the Sumner Cemetery and register between 8-9 am. Registration will include an affidavit of heirship. From 9 am-noon, registered heirs may enter the storage area, identify and remove items they desire to take. City staff will be on-site to assist heirs with mobility and/or loading of items. Only Ryan family heirs will be permitted. The City will not reserve, save, pre-select or deliver any items, so please come prepared with vehicles, blankets, tie downs, etc. to protect and haul items. For more information, see below or call 253-299-5503.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you mean by registration?
The 1926 deed specifically says “the heirs” as those persons entitled to items from the house, so the City will require all attendees to register and sign an affidavit that they are a direct descendant of Lucy V. Ryan.
What is the time frame/process?
Heirs can arrive and register, signing an affidavit of heirship, anytime between 8 and 9 am. At 9 am, all registered family members can enter the storage yard and begin removing items. There is no first-come entry or ability to place a hold on any items, so there is no need to arrive early or line up. We will continue to allow heirs to arrive and register until noon, although the selection of items likely will be reduced as the morning progresses. City staff will assist anyone with mobility issues and will help load items into vehicles. Staff will lift items into vehicles only. Participants should bring all necessary equipment to safely secure all items and are solely responsible for the proper transport of items.
What if I live out of town/can’t make that date; can I send a proxy?
Yes, as long as that proxy is also an heir of Lucy V. Ryan. If any heir is unable to make it for any reason, they should arrange with other Ryan family members to take their item(s) at this time and privately exchange the items later. No one can register who is not an heir, not even to serve as a “proxy.” The City does not have the resources to reserve, save or deliver any items.
What if I told the City what I wanted already?
We have already received competing requests from different heirs, including one heir who has declared her desire to take everything. There’s no way to accommodate advance verbal requests in a way that is fair to all heirs. An item is available until it is removed by an heir on the October 1st date. We sincerely hope that family members discuss this ahead of time and respect each others’ wishes.
What if I was part of the Sumner Historical Society or donated my family’s items to the museum?
The Sumner Historical Society already removed all items that belonged to them including donations from other families. During salvage, additional items were found in a locked storage shed, and the items were clearly purchased in the 1990s, which means they belonged to the Society, not the Ryan family. We will get those items to the Society. As we understand it, all their items remain in storage, and anyone needing more information should contact the Society directly.
What if I’m not an heir but would really like part of the building?
We understand the desire but will not allow anyone other than a Ryan heir to retrieve salvaged items. People have also suggested that the City keep parts to reuse in Ryan Park or elsewhere to help all of Sumner remember and appreciate the Ryan House. However, we’re going to respect the wishes of the deed, which specifies only direct heirs of Lucy V. Ryan.
Wasn’t there a plan to have the heirs walk through the house to reserve items prior to demolition?
Yes, when we started this process in 2023, the City planned for family members to walk through the house and reserve items to pick up after salvage/demolition. We found out that family members preferred not to do a two-step process and were planning to hire their own contractors to begin dismantling the house. That plan was halted when the City was sued by Save our Sumner in 2023. During the ensuing litigation, the house structure continued to decline, becoming even more unsafe to enter and remove items without risking the safety of those inside. The safest, most practical option now was to have a professional contractor do all the salvage work at one time, save anything they could safely salvage and then provide an opportunity for the heirs to retrieve those items.
What if items are damaged?
This is salvage of old material. Nothing is in pristine condition, but the contractor did an impeccable job of removing all salvaged items carefully to minimize any damage. All items are available as-is.
What about hazardous materials?
Any hazardous materials in the house had already been abated by the City in anticipation of the house’s planned renovation.
Can you describe what’s available?
Pictures of the salvaged items are shown below so you can get an idea of what is there.
A few more housekeeping rules:
- Please dress appropriately for entering a storage facility, including wearing sturdy, close-toed, flat-soled shoes, and gloves as some of the materials could have sharp edges or old nails.
- The closest onsite restroom will be at the cemetery office nearby but not directly at this location.
- There is no benefit to arriving early as the gates will open to begin registration at 8am and thereafter all registered participants will have access to the salvaged items beginning at 9 am.
- Only those heirs that sign an attestation of heirship will be provided access to the salvaged items. The City has no alternative ability to fully confirm heirship of each attendee, so the sworn statements will be relied upon by the City.
Note: Tools shown in pictures are not part of the salvage give-away.
