Crossroads to Innovation Tour — September 27, 2025

WM. CHESTER RUTH

Honoring the life of African American inventor and businessman.

  • “My high school had a lathe but the black boys were not allowed to use it. When I saw the large lathe at Wm. Chester’s shop, I couldn’t believe it; a black man with a lathe! And he even taught me how to use it!”

    William Cubbage,
    Craftsman, Lincoln University, PA

  • “Everyone in Gap, PA knew Wm. Chester was a mechanical genius whose expertise was known regionally and nationally. His contribution to our community was the sincere humanity of the man, more important than any of the work he did.”

    Vernon Fisher,
    Businessman, Former Owner Gap Restaurant, Gap, PA

  • “I have such fond memories of riding the roller coaster that Wm. Chester built in his backyard for his grandchildren and their friends.”

    Barbara Zemacki Fox,
    Former Neighbor, Gap, PA

  • “As an inventor, Wm. Chester revolutionized local agriculture. Not many people can envision a solution and then go and do it like he did.”

    Dr. Jack Bryer,
    Retired Large Animal Veterinarian, Eastern Lancaster County, PA

  • “Wm. Chester Ruth was like a one-stop Thaddeus Stenvens College of Technology. He was a design/industrial engineer, draftsman, purchasing/quality control and marketing manager. Plus, he taught his employees to take his ideas and produce the machines. On top of that, he was a minister in his church. How he did all of this continues to amaze me.”

    John Lacock,
    Retired RCA Mechanical Engineer, Gap, PA

His legacy lives on through this project. Learn about our mission and those who serve.

African American man overcoming immense obstacles through ingenuity and intelligence to become an ingenious inventor.

Show your support by donating financially or giving to the project in other ways.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

The Malvernian newspaper, has written an article on William Chester Ruth!

Click the image below to view the full article on page 6.

Article on WCR

Check it out!

'Driven to Design'
announcement from West Chester University - Special Collection

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

An article of William Chester Ruth was recently written in the Lancaster Online newspaper!

Click the image below to view the full article.

Check it out!

A profile of William Chester Ruth was recently posted on the Savannah Black History Facebook page!

Click the image below to view the full profile.

William Chester Ruth article on Black Wall Street USA via Facebook

Our 2023 Gala!

Our first gala was a success thanks to the many sponsors, attendees, and board members!

Click the image below to see how it went.