Although this column was created as an outreach for both the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society and the Township Historic Preservation Commission, I do try to broaden my topics beyond those organizations.
Since October’s column promoted the Society’s opening of a new exhibit on the Ryan Family’s involvement with the Society’s Temple House and the family’s prosperous dairy business, ordinarily, I would not follow it with another about the Society and its events.
But… If you’re interested in local history, but were unable to attend the Opening, or have never visited the Benjamin Temple House to see the exhibits there, I encourage you to put a visit on your list!
The opening on October 13th was great – well attended and very impressive. The story of the Ryan Family, their dedication to the preservation of the c.1750 Temple House, and their successful dairy farm and business is a wonderful story, beautifully told in the simple but detailed exhibits, and expertly researched, refined and corroborated by first-hand sources.
The story of the Ryan Family themselves, immigrants to the US in the 19th century, is in many ways the story of so many Americans: of struggle and hope; of taking chances, surmounting obstacles, and ultimately thriving. Although that specific story is not the main one of the exhibit, it is nonetheless very much in the background, and reminds us all of the power of dreams, hard work, perseverance, resiliency, and working together.
The exhibits are, however, very much the story of the Temple House itself, and how after it was preserved for 150 years or so by members of the Temple Family, the home and its land was then also faithfully preserved by three generations of the Ryan Family for several more decades. ‘Second generation’ mom Mrs. Dorothy Ryan was so incredibly dedicated to preserving this unique home that she made sure that the front parlor room was completely “off limits” to her four active children, limiting and protecting the living space for the family.
The highlight of the Opening however was the presence of ‘third generation’ family member Patrick H. Ryan, the youngest of the four children of Peter Ryan, Jr. and his wife Dorothy.
While three of the four children are still alive and in their 70s and 80s, only Patrick was able to attend the event. However, all of them contributed substantially to the information, memories and photos presented in the exhibits, and together have helped to document and preserve their significant connection to and life in this historic home.
But Patrick was more than sufficient to make the event delightfully enjoyable and memorable. He is a charmingly gregarious and appreciative individual, full of stories and memories and asides about his family members, his life ‘on the Ryan farm’ in the 30s and 40s, and more recent stories as well. To hear the stories he told about life in that house decades previously as he sat in the house in 2024 was priceless. Obviously, he is not a permanent part of the exhibit, and future visitors to the exhibits will miss his affable, informative presence.
The Ryan Family exhibits include a family tree, descriptions and photos of Ryan’s Dairy, and life ‘Down on the Farm.’ There is also a map of Ewing, overlaid with the locations of dozens of dairy farms which dominated Ewing before World War II – certainly “fodder” for a future column (pun totally intended!).
Credit for this exhibit, years in the making, and the also-amazing “Blacks in Ewing” exhibit in the neighboring room, is entirely owed to the tirelessly dedicated volunteers at the ETHPS. Led by Society President Becky Urban and Researcher Marge Delany, they have presented these stories in a highly informative and professional manner, providing a much-needed historic legacy for our Township. Ewing is very fortunate to be the beneficiary of these generous, very-talented preservers of the history of Ewing. Thank you, ETHPS!
The Benjamin Temple House is open on Wednesdays from 10 – 2 pm, on the first Sunday of the month from 10 – 2, and by appointment. The Society’s website is www.ethps.org, and their email address is info@ethps.org.
Helen Kull is an Advisor with the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society.
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