Burholme Park
| Burholme Park | |
|---|---|
| Type | Neighborhood park / Historic estate |
| Location | Northeast Philadelphia (Fox Chase/Burholme) |
| Coordinates | 40.0590,-75.0980 |
| Area | 20 acres |
| Established | 1905 (park); mansion 1859 |
| Operated by | Philadelphia Parks & Recreation |
| Features | Ryerss Museum, playground, sports facilities, gardens |
| Hours | Park: dawn to dusk; Museum: check hours |
| Transit | SEPTA bus routes; Regional Rail to Fox Chase |
| Website | Official Site |
Burholme Park is a 20-acre park in Northeast Philadelphia, notable for containing Ryerss Museum and Library, a Victorian mansion with an eclectic collection of art, artifacts, and a pet cemetery. The park combines neighborhood recreation facilities with a unique historic house museum and serves the surrounding Burholme and Fox Chase communities.[1]
Burholme Park offers an unusual combination of active recreation and cultural heritage.
History[edit | edit source]
Ryerss Estate[edit | edit source]
The property was the Ryerss family estate:
- 1859: Joseph Ryerss built the mansion
- Named "Burholme" (meaning "mansion on a hill")
- Prominent Philadelphia family
- Collected art and artifacts from world travels
Robert W. Ryerss[edit | edit source]
Robert W. Ryerss (1831-1895):
- Son of Joseph Ryerss
- World traveler
- Collected Asian and global artifacts
- Bequeathed estate to the city
Bequest to Philadelphia[edit | edit source]
1905: The estate became public:
- Robert Ryerss willed property to city
- Required pet cemetery maintenance
- Museum opened to public
- Park development began
Features[edit | edit source]
Ryerss Museum and Library[edit | edit source]
Victorian mansion museum:
- Eclectic collection of art and artifacts
- Asian decorative arts
- Global souvenirs
- Victorian furnishings
- Period interiors
- Small library
Pet Cemetery[edit | edit source]
Unique historic feature:
- Maintained per Ryerss will
- Historic pet graves
- Unusual urban feature
- Victorian pet culture
Park Facilities[edit | edit source]
Recreation amenities:
- Playground
- Sports fields
- Basketball courts
- Picnic areas
- Walking paths
Gardens[edit | edit source]
- Historic landscape elements
- Ornamental plantings
- Grounds surrounding mansion
Visiting[edit | edit source]
Park Hours[edit | edit source]
- Dawn to dusk
- Year-round access
Museum Hours[edit | edit source]
- Limited hours—check before visiting
- Free admission
- Small but interesting collection
Getting There[edit | edit source]
Location: 7370 Central Avenue, Fox Chase
By Public Transit:
- SEPTA Regional Rail to Fox Chase Station
- SEPTA Bus 18, 28, 70
By Car:
- Free parking
- Near Central Avenue
Tips[edit | edit source]
- The museum is worth a visit—call ahead for hours
- The pet cemetery is historically interesting
- Combine with visit to Pennypack Park nearby
- Pleasant grounds for walking
Nearby[edit | edit source]
- Fox Chase — Surrounding neighborhood
- Pennypack Park — Nearby
- Northeast Philadelphia — Area
- Burholme — Neighborhood named for estate
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Burholme Park". Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Retrieved December 30, 2025