Ruth Ferguson Barnhart was born January 23, 1826 and died May 25,1895. Ruth F. Barnhart Tent #56 was instituted May 26, 1965 in Pleasant Unity, Pennsylvania in her honor.

The tent came into existence by the recruiting and research done by it's sponsor, Sister Beatrice Burkholder of Greensburg. She was a Past President of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Sister Burkholder passed away on June 30, 1984.

The Ruth F. Barnhart Tent is named for Miss Burkholder's maternal grandmother. It is believed that Ruth Barnhart worked for the Underground Railroad and helped prisoners escape to Canada.

Her great niece is presently [at the time of this Tent History] a member of the tent.