ZELIENOPLE — A borough resident has taken on the task of compiling and writing a book that tells the history of the community in photographs.

Tom Nesbitt, in conjunction with the Zelienople Historical Society, said he has a verbal agreement with Arcadia Publishing to produce an “Images of America” book for the borough.

Though the contract is not yet final, Nesbitt said he has begun work on the book and plans to have it done by July. It will contain photographs from the historical society, but he also is looking for submissions of old photographs from residents or businesses.

He contacted Arcadia with the idea for the book, after seeing the positive response to Harmony’s book, which was written by Shelby Ruch and published by Arcadia in 2009.

Arcadia has printed more than 9,000 of the “Images of America” books featuring cities and small towns across the county, said editor Gillian Nicol.

Each book is 128 pages and has 180 to 240 vintage images with captions.

“It’s a good quick read, a good gift for the grandparents,” she said.

Typically the books are written by a historian, librarian or community volunteer, Nicol said.

Arcadia is based in Mount Pleasant, S.C., which is also where it prints all its books. If completed by July, the Zelienople book would be available for purchase in early 2016, Nicol said.

For Zelienople, Nesbitt volunteered to take on the project and proceeds from the sales of the book will go to the historical society.

It will have a short introduction listing important events such as George Washington’s visit to the area and the founding of the borough.

The photographs will show buildings and how the borough has changed over the years.

“That kind of stuff is really interesting to people. That is the purpose of the book, they say a picture is worth 1,000 words,” Nesbitt said.

Nesbitt, a member of the historical society, has writing experience from writing a quarterly newsletter for a Scottish clan society.

The book will be both color and black and white, though most of the photographs will be at least 40 years old, with some going back to the 19th Century.

To be considered for the book, photographs must be in decent quality, and show recognizable buildings such as businesses, churches or schools. The historical society also is looking for photographs of roads, old cars, trains and members of civic organizations.

The person who owns the photograph will be credited in the book.

Elizabeth Jacobs, director of the historical society, said the Passavant House, 243 S. Main St., will serve as a drop-off place for submitted photographs.

The museum office is open 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, where the society representatives can copy the images onto a computer, Jacobs said.

To make arrangements or get information about the book, call 724-452-9457.