Jeremiah Zimmerman (1848-1937)

Rev. Zimmerman, Class of 1873, was a lecturer at Syracuse University in NY, a Lutheran pastor and author. His wife, Sophia, was also a patron of religious and educational institutions and president of the Women's Missionary Society of the Lutheran Church.

Zimmerman and Gettysburg College

Zimmerman was a College trustee for 20 years and a “founder” of its library.

In the late 1920s Gettysburg College decided to build a free-standing library in order to qualify for a collection development grant. Schmucker Memorial Library would open in 1930, but with less than 8000 titles, it would seem empty.

Zimmerman, who regarded the library as the heart of a liberal arts college, stepped forward. He filled the new library with materials from his own collections - 75,000 books, pamphlets, maps, and art works.

After Sophia's death in 1930, Jeremiah established a trust fund of $50,000 for the library, the proceeds of which continue to add books to collection every year.

Jeremiah Zimmerman Portrait

This portrait of Rev. Jeremiah Zimmerman is oil on canvas, painted by Lee S. Trim (c. 1930s). Zimmerman is wearing his academic robes and donning a gold Phi Beta Kappa key and chain. In his left hand is an open Bible.

Want to Know More?

View the full Dr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Zimmerman Fund website

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Curated by Musselman Library