Hempfield historical society to reopen library with 3,500 history books

More than 3,500 Westmoreland County and family history books will soon be available to the public again at the former Zion Church in Hempfield.

The Paul Miller Ruff Library in the former church is scheduled to reopen after being closed for seven months to reorganize the books, said Thomas Harrold, president of the Baltzer Meyer Historical Society.

“At one point, there was only one person who knew where all the books were,” Harrold said. “When we found out, we had to change it.”

The collection started as two shelved of books contained in the basement of Paul Miller Ruff, the society’s founder. It has grown over the past 20 years as result of many contributions, Harrold said.

After the society purchased the old Zion Church in 1998, the collection was moved. At the time, however, Harrold said only a few genealogists knew and used the resource. Now, word is slowly spreading.

A grand reopening is scheduled 2-4 p.m. April 14 at 642 Baltzer Meyer Pike. Attendees will have the chance to tour the Baltzer Meyer Historical Society and the library.

“It will be a place where the community will have a unique space, in this 135-year-old building, to serve in many different ways to create many memories,” a post on the Baltzer Meyer Historical Society’s Facebook page reads.

The reopening comes a few weeks after a ribbon cutting ceremony took place at the Harrold One Room Schoolhouse. Built in 1881, the school has been recently used by Hempfield Area School District students, but is now open to people who want to rent the space for business meetings, seminars, small entertainment, weddings and more.