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INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE RESEARCH LIBRARY
The Industrial Heritage Research Library was created with large book bequests from two individuals. Henry J. Kratt Sr., who died in 2010, had a large collection of 357 books and magazines that focused on steam engines, clocks and model making. He had indicated his interest to donate his collection to the museum. His widow, Dr. Rita K. Lum, carried out his wishes, which served as the start of the current research library. Troy Beatty, who died in 2015 had told his wife Debra that he wanted his books to go to the museum at Soulé Steam Feed Works. She made the decision to carry out his wishes by donating his collection of books, magazines, DVDs, videos and vintage catalogs. More than 1,400 items make up this collection with topics of steam engines. machine shop practice, blacksmithing, architecture and a wide variety of historical interest pieces. Both collections included rare and scarce books. In 2024 Walter B. Clement donated his library and extensive collection of steam-related catalogs, pamphlets, brochures, and installation manuals. This collection is of special interest to steam enthusiasts and represents a lifetime of collecting.
In 2017, Hartley D. Peavey, founder of Peavey Electronics, heard of the efforts to create the Library and donated the shelving to complete the project. Over a period of two summers, The Riley Foundation funded two college students that inventoried these collections and added the Dewey Decimal System markings on the book spines. These books were then shelved in their appropriate places making the Library easy to use. The Library is not a lending library and is available for researchers by appointment. Members of the organization also have on-site access to the Library. A link to the Library has been provided below.