Blessed with inherent mechanical genius and a family environment conducive to success, African American metalsmith William Chester Ruth evolved his forge in Gap, Pennsylvania from farm machinery repair into a workshop of mechanical creation. Gwendolyn Dickenson, Ruth’s granddaughter, and Bruce Bomberger of the William Chester Ruth Legacy Project join LancasterHistory to tell Ruth’s story.

Gwen Ruth Dickinson, raised in Gap, Pennsylvania is the granddaughter of William Chester Ruth, and she carries his legacy as an inventor and entrepreneur close to her heart. Graduating from Hahnemann University’s College of Allied Sciences, she dedicated over 30 years to healthcare as a Primary Care Physician Assistant. In 2021, after her retirement, she founded the William Chester Ruth Project to honor her grandfather’s memory and his accomplishments as an inventor.

Bruce D. Bomberger has degrees in history from Lebanon Valley College, Penn State University, and Lehigh University as well as graduate credits in museum studies from the University of Delaware. He has worked for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission for 35 years and is currently an archivist with Lebanon County Historical Society.

EVENT DETAILS & HOW TO REGISTER

This event will take place in person at LancasterHistory on Thursday, September 18, 2025. Doors open and a reception begins at 5pm. The lecture will begin at 5:30pm. The lecture will also be livestreamed to Zoom at 5:30pm for those who wish to join us virtually.

This program is free and open to the public. In-person attendance requires advance registration in order to guarantee a seat. Due to capacity restrictions, tickets may not be available at the door. Virtual attendance requires advance registration in order to receive the Zoom link. The Zoom link will be emailed to registrants before the event. Register online by clicking the appropriate link below or by calling (717) 392-4633. The online version of this program will also be recorded and uploaded to LancasterHistory’s YouTube channel after the event.

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