Today (January 22) is the birthday of Mary Irick Drexel was born on January 22nd, 1864. Mary was the only child of Sally Stretch (Irick) Keen and William Hudson Irick. She grew up at Locust Grove Farm on Retreat Road. The spirited Mary was educated to be a lady and became a skilled equestrian. She attended Miss Fannie Morrow’s private school in Beverly NJ and completed her education at Patapsco Institute in Ellicott Mills, Maryland. Ladies there were taught courses in botany, chemistry, mathematics, foreign languages and other subjects. Through a classmate, Mary was introduced at a party to George W. Childs Drexel, the youngest son of millionaire A.J. Drexel. She would become a great lady of Philadelphia society, a practical philanthropist and the creator of our library.
Sally Stretch Keen Memorial Library 