On Tuesday, Mar. 25, West Chester University will honor the achievements and history of William Chester Ruth (1882-1971), an African American Inventor, Entrepreneur, and Minister from Chester County who built and sold his patented farm equipment and other machinery throughout the United States.
Some of Ruth’s descendants will be on hand for the occasion, which recognizes the donation of Ruth’s papers to WCU’s Special Collections by the William Chester Ruth Legacy Project, which honors the achievements of this ingenious and courageous businessman.
Ruth was born and raised on his family’s farm in Ercildoun, Pa., then opened his own manufacturing shop in Gap, Pa. During his time, he invented different types of farm equipment including balers, spreaders, as well as the first salt spreader attachments used by PennDOT. He also invented secret items for the militaryle during WWII, amusement park-style rides for his grandchildren to play on, and more.
“Ruth is an important figure because he built a thriving business, designed, built, and obtained many patents for equipment that contributed to farming, road maintenance, and even military efforts during WWII,” said Ron McColl, WCU Special Collections Librarian. “His parents were formerly enslaved, and he had only an eighth-grade education. He exemplifies for WCU students and community members the qualities of ingenuity, self-confidence, courage, business savvy, honesty, dedication to family, positivity, and much more. His life and work should be an inspiration for students majoring or interested in business, engineering, history, race, and religion among other things.”
Ruth’s legacy will be celebrated with appearances and guest speakers from his family members, Tonya Thames-Taylor, WCU Associate Professor of History, and Bruce Bomberger, former Curator at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum who displayed Ruth’s creations.
Following the event, Ruth’s papers will officially be donated and housed in WCU’s Special Collections.
All are welcome to attend this free educational experience with light refreshments from 2-3:30 PM in Special Collections on the sixth floor of Francis Harvey Green Library at 25 West Rosedale Avenue.
Learn more at WCU. Enrolling more than 17,000 students, West Chester University is the largest institution in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Founded in 1871, the University is a comprehensive public institution, offering a diverse range of more than 200 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs in more than 50 fields of study. In addition to the main campus in West Chester, the University offers programs through its graduate center, the campus in Philadelphia, and online. The University comprises six colleges and two schools: University College, Colleges of Arts and Humanities, Business and Public Management, Education and Social Work, Health Sciences, and the Sciences and Mathematics, the Wells School of Music, and the Graduate School.
