The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County will kick off its 2025 Speaker Series on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the historic Sehner-Ellicott-von Hess House, 123 N. Prince St., Lancaster. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The program, "The Preservation Palette: Colors of Our Past," will feature Gwendolyn Ruth Dickinson, granddaughter of William Chester Ruth. Through memorabilia, photographs, and her own experiences, Dickinson will share her grandfather's story. Attendees will also view a short documentary film showcasing accounts from farmers, patrons, and neighbors who relied on Ruth's machine shop to keep their farms and businesses thriving.

Ruth was an African American machinist, inventor, and business owner from Pennsylvania. Born in 1882 in Ercildoun to parents who overcame slavery, Ruth developed a passion for machinery early on, leading him to establish Ruth's Ironworks Shop in Gap in 1922. Over his career, he secured more than 50 patents for agricultural innovations, including the combination baler feeder and a self-lifting farm elevator, significantly enhancing farming efficiency. Beyond his mechanical contributions, Ruth was a respected community leader and lay minister, dedicating his life to both technological advancement and spiritual guidance.

The program is available by donation. Space is limited to 50 attendees, and reservations are available at https://tinyurl.com/HPTWilliamChesterRuth.