On March 25th, 2025, West Chester University’s Special Collections hosted Driven to Design: The Life of William Chester Ruth, honoring the life and legacy of the Chester County African American inventor and businessman. The program’s more than 60 attendees learned how Ruth’s groundbreaking designs helped advance agriculture and other industries during the first half of the twentieth century.
The event commenced with welcoming remarks by Special Collection Librarian, Ron McColl, followed by a series of insightful presentations. Dr. tonya thames-taylor, associate professor of history at WCU, delivered a thought-provoking lecture on "Slavery, Freedom, and Labor in Chester County," setting the historical context for Ruth’s achievements. Bruce Bomberger, the former curator of Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, shared how he rediscovered Ruth’s legacy, provided a detailed account of his research into Ruth’s life, highlighting his journey from a self-taught blacksmith to a successful inventor of national renown with multiple patents to his name. Bomberger emphasized how Ruth’s most notable inventions, including the automatic hay baler and self-lifting farm elevator, revolutionized local agriculture.
The program culminated with a discussion featuring Ruth’s great-great-granddaughter, Cierra Johnson, a West Chester University graduate, as well as Gwendolyn Ruth Dickinson, Ruth’s granddaughter. They shared personal anecdotes and reflections on Ruth. Johnson explained that stories about her great-great-grandfather continue to inspire her and her family’s endeavors.
Following the event, attendees viewed an exhibition showcasing items from the William Chester Ruth papers, which University Libraries Special Collections acquired last year. Highlights of the collection include photographs, marketing materials, business correspondence, patents applications, and blueprints. To learn more about William Chester Ruth, or to schedule an appointment to view his papers, contact Ron McColl at rmccoll@wcupa.edu or visit wcruthlegacy.org.
We want to inform our valued patrons that the Presser Music Library will be temporarily closed June 2nd through June 29th due to essential renovations to the Swope Music Building’s Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system.
The FHG Library is open during this renovation, please visit us there! Physical music scores and books will be retrieved by staff and available for pick-up at FHG library. To request materials, use Library Search and select FHG as the pick-up location. Our digital library, including eBooks, scores, audio recordings, and research databases, will remain fully accessible at https://library.wcupa.edu/music.
This HVAC upgrade is part of WCU’s ongoing commitment to providing a safe, comfortable, and energy-efficient environment for all students and workers. While we understand this may cause some inconvenience, these improvements are necessary to ensure long-term health and comfort of our community. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to enhance your library experience.
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Stay connected with us on https://www.instagram.com/wcupressermusiclibrary/ for updates and reopening announcements.
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