Special Collections & Archives, Wright State University Libraries
     

MS-216 Ivonette Wright Miller Papers
     

Introduction

The Ivonette Wright Miller Papers were accessioned into the Wright State University Dunbar Library Special Collections and Archives on Dec. 23, 1992. Ivonette Wright Miller, a niece of Orville and Wilbur Wright, donated the papers to the archives. The papers primarily consist of photographs, correspondence, memorabilia, and newspapers spanning from 1890 to 1989. A major portion of the papers document Ivonette's, and her husband Harold's, role in representing the Wright family in various official functions. The papers fill eleven Hollinger boxes and one oversize location or approximately 5.5 linear feet. The collection is arranged into the following record series:

     

Series Listing
     
  Series II: Lester D. Gardner Correspondence
  Series III: Special Events
  Series IV: Photographs
  Series V: Memorabilia
  Series VI: Publications
There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.
 

Biographical Sketch

Ivonette Wright Miller was born on Apr. 8, 1896 to Lorin and Ivonette Stokes Wright. Ivonette's father, Lorin, was an older brother of Wilbur and Orville Wright. Ivonette attended Edison Elementary School and graduated from Steele High School in 1914. After graduating from high school she attended Oxford College where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1918. She married Harold Miller, a 1914 graduate of Steele High School and World War I pilot, on June 25, 1919 at Hawthorn Hill, the home of Orville Wright. The couple had three children. Their son, Jack, was born in 1920, but later
died in 1933 after a long illness. A daughter, Ivonette, was born in 1921 and died in 1923. Finally, a daughter, Marianne,
was born in 1935.

Miller was a soprano soloist in the choirs of Grace United Methodist and First Baptist churches in Dayton. She was
a board member of the YWCA, the Dayton Women's Club, and the Dayton Music Club. She was a member of the Montgomery County and Kettering-Moraine historical societies, the National Women's Air and Space Museum, Aviation Trail, the President's Club at Wright State University, and the Dayton First Baptist Church. In 1981 she received an honorary doctor
of laws degree from Wright State. In 1988 she received a "Trailblazer" award from the Aviation Trail Association.

For many years Ivonette was best known as the Wright family representative, particularly after the 1948 death of her uncle, Orville Wright. Whether christening a navy aircraft carrier or talking to a small local group, Ivonette was the person-until she was over 90-who made Dayton's world-famous family real people with her intimate recollections of her bachelor uncles Wil and Orv. She attended many ceremonies and dedications in honor of her uncles, appeared on network television shows, and gave more than 100 lectures on the Wright family. In 1978 Ivonette wrote about her experiences with her famous uncles in a book titled Wright Reminiscences. Her favorite story was when, at the age of 15, she flew in a Wright "B" Flyer with her "Uncle Orv" at Huffman Prairie in 1911. Afterwards, she reported that "The flight was very smooth, but windy.
I felt very secure. I haven't been the same since." More importantly, she and her husband Harold, an executor of Orville Wright's estate, preserved an archive of more than 6,000 priceless Wright photographs, papers, and memorabilia, most of which were donated to Wright State University.

Harold Miller died July 21, 1991, at the age of 95. Ivonette Wright Miller passed away on Oct. 5, 1995 at the age of 99.

 

Scope and Content

The Ivonette Wright Miller Papers is a diverse collection of Wright Brothers material. The papers include family papers, photographs and memorabilia originally owned by Orville and Wilbur Wright, Katharine Wright, and their father, Bishop Milton Wright. The papers also include hundreds of items collected by Harold and Ivonette Wright Miller in conjunction with dedications or anniversary celebrations commemorating events associated with the Wright Brothers. The papers are divided into five series.

Series I, Family Papers, contains an interesting cross-section of material. Subseries IA, General Family Information, contains items dating from the early 1800s, including Samuel S. Wright's book manuscript entitled "Political Economy." Perhaps most historically significant in this subseries are telegrams sent to and from Orville's brother, Lorin Wright, in 1915 concerning discussions with Pliny Williamson in New York. Also significant is Ivonette's handwritten draft of her book "Wright Reminiscences." Other noteworthy items in this subseries include a copy of Orville's "Last Will and Testament," condolence letters and cards attached to flower baskets sent to the family on the death of Orville, and the City of Dayton "Resolution in the Death of Orville Wright." Subseries IB, Correspondence, mostly contains correspondence between Ivonette and Charles H. Gibbs-Smith and Marvin W. McFarland concerning articles and books being written about the Wright Brothers.

Series II, Lester D. Gardner Correspondence, contains information about Lester D. Gardner and his correspondence with Harold S. Miller pertaining to his Wright Replica idea. The bulk of the files contain correspondence pertaining to Gardner's program of giving a piece of the fabric from the Kitty Hawk "Wright Flyer" to prominent people in aeronautics throughout the world. Most of the correspondence is from recipients of the fabric. The correspondence is grouped alphabetically according to correspondent.

Series III, Special Events, contains information concerning the many dedications, anniversaries, and other events related to the Wright Brothers. For each event, Ivonette retained such items as programs and photographs associated with the event, plus associated correspondence. In some cases, significant mementos were manufactured in honor of the occasion, such as the brass commemorative medals struck for the 50th anniversary of powered flight. Examples of events documented in this series include: the dedication of the Wright home and cycle shop at Greenfield Village in 1938; dedication of the Wright Memorial in Dayton, Ohio in 1940; the 25th anniversary of powered flight sponsored by the NCR company in 1928; the return of the Wright 1903 Flyer to the Smithsonian Institution in 1948; and the many annual celebrations held at the Wright Memorial in Dayton. Almost all files contain numerous photographs. In the case of the Greenfield Village and Wright Memorial

dedications, the names of attendees are inscribed on many of the photographs. Also included in this series is an extensive file of programs from the National Aviation Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies from 1963 to 1985.

Series IV, Photographs, contains a wide range of significant photographs concerning the Wright Brothers. Many of these photographs are the personal photographs of Orville Wright and document the Wright family. The span of the photographs ranges from as early as 1900 to as late as 1978. Of particular interest to Wright Brothers scholars are:

a. A Hawthorn Hill collection of 43 photographs (Box 7, File 13). Included in the file are photographs, both interior and exterior shots, documenting construction of the Wright family home in 1913 through 1941. Interior photographs show original decoration and furnishings of the home.
b. A collection of 126 photographs (Box 7, File 14) featuring Orville's dog "Scipio." Photographs include those taken at Hawthorn Hill, Lambert Island, and with family and friends.
c. A collection of 41 photographs (Box 7, File 16) documenting the Wright Brothers Aeronautical Engineering Collection at the Franklin Institute. Included with the photographs is a draft of an article describing the photographs written by Ralph H. McClarren.

d.

The most significant collection of photographs are located in Box 8. This box holds an early photograph album of Orville Wright containing 276 photographs. Included are photographs of the Wright School of Aviation at Huffman Prairie, Moraine Farm, McCook and Wright Fields in Dayton, Europe, photographs of Wright friends and acquaintances, many family photographs of the extended Wright family, and photographs from Wright friends such as Griffith Brewer and Alex Ogilvie. The photographs span a period of 1900 to 1926.

e.

In Box 9 is a modern photograph album containing a set of photographs taken by photographer Andrew S. Iddings in May and June 1909. The photographs record the parades and speeches during the Wright Brothers Homecoming Celebration. The album was presented to Ivonette Wright Miller.

f.

Among the oversized photographs are images of the Wright 1903 Flyer during its fourth flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903, attendees at the 25th anniversary of powered flight celebration held at the NCR Auditorium in 1928, a photograph of the Wilbur Wright Memorial at Le Mans, France, and a photograph of the Katharine Wright Memorial Fountain at Oberlin College.

Series V is Memorabilia. Contained in this series are 13 issues of the Wright Brothers newspaper The Evening Item, beginning in June 14, 1890 and ending July 26, 1890. Also included is a 1948 commemorative issue of Collier's Magazine marking the 45th anniversary of powered flight, newspaper clippings of the 45th anniversary of powered flight and dedication of the Wright 1903 Flyer at the Smithsonian Institution, the Steele High School diplomas of Ivonette Wright and Harold Miller, a commemorative program from Charles F. Kettering's 75th birthday celebration in 1951, and the musical score for "Song of the Wright Boys" composed by Mrs. Mary E. Knostman.

Series VI, and final, series is Publications. This series includes a number of publications containing articles about the Wright Brothers. The publications range in date from 1948 to 1983. Many are commemorative issues on the anniversary
of powered flight.

Series I FAMILY PAPERS

Subseries I: General Family Information

Box File Item Date
       
    Orville, Wilbur & Katharine Wright  
1 1 Excerpt of article, "Otto Lilienthal" by Wilbur Wright published in Aero Club of American Bulletin Sept. 1912
  2 Newspaper articles about Wright Brothers 1914-1985
  3 Christmas cards and Invitations sent to Mr. Julius Stone by Orville Wright 1930-1938
  4 Lambert Island gasoline tank records 1931-1932
  5 Orville Wright "Last Will and Testament" June 21, 1937
    including amendment (copy) Dec. 9, 1947
  6 George Antrim poem, "To Orville Wright on his 75th Birthday" Aug. 19, 1946
  7 Hawthorn Hill Visitors (handwritten lists) 1914-1948
  8 City of Dayton "Resolution on the Death of Orville Wright" Feb. 4, 1948
  9 Condolence letters to Wright family on death of Orville Wright 1948
  10 Sympathy cards attached to flower baskets at funeral of Orville Wright 1948
  11 Smithsonian Institution Dedication of Wright 1903 Flyer (newspaper articles and photographs) 1948
  12 Press Release-"Wright Brothers' Papers Given to the Library of Congress" 1948
  13 An Historical Documentation presented by The International Women's Air and Space Museum n.d.
    Organization in conjunction with the application of the name of Katharine Wright into the Aviation Hall of Fame, Dayton, Ohio-"Katharine Wright: The Third Member of the Wright Brothers' Team, A Martyr to the Cause of Aviation"  
       
   

Wright Brothers' Relatives

 
  14 Samuel Wright's book-"Robinson Crusoe" 1803
  15 Samuel Wright-"Fly leaf of United States Reader" (includes note from Bishop Milton Wright) 1831
  16 Samuel Wright's manuscript on "Political Economy" n.d.
  17 Wedding Book and Invitation for marriage of Lorin Wright and Ivonette Stokes Jan. 12, 1892
  18 Ivonette Wright invitation to Stella Parker birthday party Mar. 18, 1911
  19 Lorin Wright telegrams and newspaper articles 1915-1945
  20 Ivonette Stokes Wright-Newspaper articles n.d.
  21 Jack Wright Miller-Newspaper articles 1933
  22 Lulu Wright & Helen Wright Russel-Newspaper articles 1963
  23 Handwritten draft-"Wright Reminiscences" by Ivonette Wright Miller ca. 1978
  24 Wright Brothers relationship with Griffith Brewer- written by Ivonette Wright Miller n.d.
  25 Wright Brothers relationship with Charles Rolls, Alexander Ogilvie, & Lord Northcliff-written by Ivonette Wright Miller n.d.
  26 Brochure-"Historic College Park Airport" n.d.
  27 "Museum Prospectus for Kill Devil Hill National Feb. 1952
    Memorial," U.S. Department of the Interior (See also Oversize Location 57, File 6 for drawings of proposed museum)  
  27 New Yorker Magazine, "Profiles, The Bequest" Dec. 1966
    I, II, & III (3-Part article on the history of the Smithsonian Institution)  
  28 Air Line Pilot, 75th Anniversary of Powered Flight special edition Dec. 1978
  29 Musical score-"Let's Sing a Song About Armstrong" by Marion McKay & Bob McKay n.d.
  30 St. Anthony School Project for 75th Anniversary of Powered Flight ca. 1978
  31 Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village: A Pictorial Souvenir 1983
  32 Newspaper & magazine articles about early aviators 1902-1986
  33 Stock certificates (worthless) for: Building Materials Corp.; Continental Clay Co.; American Tire Corp.; Reliable Oil Co.; & Peer Oil Co. 1920-1925
  34 German mark bonds (worthless) 1923
       

Subseries IB: Correspondence

 
       
Box File Item Date
2 1 Orville Wright Estate 1948
  2 Lester D. Gardner 1948
  3 Wright Brothers Commemorative Stamp 1948
  4 WWI Overseas Flyers Reunion, AF Museum 1961
  5 AF Museum Foundation 1961-1963
  6 Mousee de l Air 1976-1977
  7 General correspondence concerning Wright Brothers 1965-1973
  8 University of Dayton, Re: Bishop Wright Diaries May 1967
  9 University of California at Berkeley, Re: Wright Apr. Brothers' Photograph Collection 1965
  10 Ralph S. Barnaby 1976-1979
  11 Senator Barry S. Goldwater, Re: Proposed National Air and Space Museum 1971-1972
  12 Charles H. Gibbs-Smith 1955-1965
  13 Charles H. Gibbs-Smith 1970
  14 Charles H. Gibbs-Smith 1971
  15 Charles H. Gibbs-Smith 1972
  16 Charles H. Gibbs-Smith 1973
  17 Charles H. Gibbs-Smith 1974
  18 Charles H. Gibbs-Smith 1975
  19 Charles H. Gibbs-Smith 1976-1978
  20 Charles H. Gibbs-Smith 1979-1981
  21 Charles H. Gibbs-Smith-Drafts of Articles 1970-1973
  22 Marvin W. McFarland 1953-1959
  23 Marvin W. McFarland 1960-1969
  24 Marvin W. McFarland 1970-1975
  25 Marvin W. McFarland 1976-1981
       
Series II: LESTER D. GARDNER CORRESPONDENCE
       
Box File Item Date
3 1 Lester D. Gardner biographical information 1947-1948
  2 Original fabric from Kitty Hawk "Wright Flyer" distribution 1951, 1956
       
  3 A-B 1951-1955
    Air Force Museum
Larsen, Arthur J. (2)
Glasgow, G. G.
Childs, Irene S.
Akerman, John D. (2)
Aldrin, Ed (2)
Allen, William M.
Armstrong, Harry G. (2)
Arnstein, Karl (2)
Ashton, B. N. (2)
Aeronautics Technical Center Commission
Balchen, Bernt
Baker, George P.
Barnaby, Ralph S. (2)
Bassett, Preston (2)
Bauer, L. H., M.D. (2)
Beall, Wellwood E. (2)
Beck, Thomas H.
Beech, O. A. (2)
Bell, Lawrence D. (3)
Bellanca, G. M. (2)
Benjamin, Walter (2)
Berliner, H. A.
Berry, John (2)
Bertrandias, Victor E. (2)
Bingham, Hiram
Bishop, W. A.
Bixby, H. M. (4)
Blackburn, R.
Bolger, J. F.
Bolster, C. M.
Bolton, E. T.
Bonnalie, A. F. (2)
Boothby, Walter M., M.D.
Bouché, Henri
Lord Brabazon of Tara
Bradley, Follett
Brant, Gerald C.
Brattain, Paul H. (2)
Brereton, Lewis H.
Brick, Kay Menges
Bridgman, Leonard (2)
Brookins, Walter
Bruno, Harry (6)
Bryan, Leslie
Buranelli, Felicity
Burden, William A. M. (2)
Byrd, Richard E. (2)
 
       
  4 C-E 1951-1954
   

Cabot, Godfrey L.
Caldwell, Frank W. (2)
Caproni, Tiamini
Carranza, Alberto Salinas
Carroll, Frank O. (2)
Castle, Benjamin F.
Chambers, Reed
Chapline, George F. (2)
Chidlaw, B. W. (2)
Clark, James M. (2)
Clarkson, Christopher (7)
Cleveland, E. W. (2)
Cleveland, Reginald M.
Cobham, Sir Alan J.
Cochran, Jacqueline (2)
Coffyn, Frank
Colvin, Charles H. (2)
Colwell, A. T.
Condon, Robert E.
Cone, J. Carroll (2)
Cox, Roxbee
Crane, Joe (2)
Crary, Harold (2)
Curry, John F. (2)
Damon, R. S. (2)
Davis, Thomas
Davison, F. Trubee (2)
Day, Gladys (2)
Deeds, Col. Edward A.
de Florez, Luis (2)
de Florez, Peter
De France, Smith J. (2)
De Haviland, Sir Geoffrey
Dexter, Robert R. (2)
Diehl, Walter S. (2)
Doolittle, J. H. (2)
Douglas, Donald W.
Draper, C. S.
Dryden, Hugh L. (2)
Dudley, Shepard (2)
Eaker, Ira C. (2)
Ebel, William K. (4)
Edwards, C. P. (2)
Egtvedt, C. L.
Ellis, Robert E.
Enyart, William R. (3)

 
       
  5 F-H 1950-1952, 1954
   

Fage, Arthur
Fairchild, Sherman F.
Fairey, Sir Richard (2)
Farren, William S.
Fedden, Sir Roy
Ferrier, Alan (2)
Findley, Earl N.
Fleet, R. H.
Folland, Harry
Foulois, B. D.
Franchimont, Henri A.
Franklin Institute
Froesch, Charles (2)
Frye, Jack
Gardner, Allen
Garrison, R. P.
Gentry, Viola (2)
Gillies, Betty H. (2)
Glennon, John
Gordon, Myron B. (2)
Gouge, Sir Arthur (2)
Gross, Robert E. (2)
Grumman, L. R. (3)
Guggenheim, Harry F. (2)
Guillow, G. H. (2)
Guillow, Paul R. (2)
Gutt, Paul R.
Haddaway, George E.
Hamlin, Fred (2)
Harrington, R. P. (3)
Harris, Harold R. (2)
Hartranft, J. B., Jr. (2)
Haslett, Elmer (2)
Hazen, R. M. (2)
Herlihy, J. A.
Hibbard, Hall L. (2)
Higgins, Joseph T.
Hildred, William P.
Hiller, Frank
Hiller, Stanley, Jr.
Hinckley, Robert H. (2)
Horner, H. M. (2)
Hughes, Howard (3)
Hunsaker, Jerome C. (2)

 
       
  6 I-L 1951-1952
   

Ide, John J. (2)
Jerome, Clayton C. (2)
Johnson, Leon W.
Johnston, S. Paul
Jones, Bradley
Jones, Charles S. (2)
Jones, Ernest (2)
Jones, Sir Melvill
Joyce, Temple N. (4)
Kahn, Roger W. (2)
Kartveli, Alexander
Kellett, W. Wallace (2)
Kelly, Fred
Kenney, George C.
Kimball, Dan A. (2)
Kindelberger, J. H. (3)
Kirchner, Otto E. (3)
Knerr, Hugh J. (2)
Knight, Clayton (2)
Knowles, T. A. (3)
Kuethe, Arnold M. (2)
Lahm, Frank (2)
Land, Emory S. (2)
Landauer, Bella C.
Landauer, James D. (3)
Landauer, William (2)
Lederer, Jerome (2)
Leslie, John C. (3)
Leverone, Louis E.
Link, Ed
Litchfield, P. W.
[Littlewood], Bill (2)
Lodwick, Albert I. (2)
Loening, Albert P. (2)
Loening, Grover P.(2)
Lounsbury, Harry M.
Lovelace, W. R. II, M.D. (2)

 
       
  7 M-P 1951, 1954
   

MacCracken, William P. (2)
Magrath, Christy C.
Maitan, Joseph J.
Mansfield, Harold (2)
Marsh, Lockwood
Martin, Glenn L. (3)
Masefield, Peter G.
Mays, Robert
McCarthy, C. J.
McClarren, R. H. (3)
McCurdy, J. A. D.
McDonnell, J. S.
McMullen, Clements (2)
Meigs, Merrill C. (2)
Meloy, Vincent J. (2)
Meyer, Cord (2)
Milbank, Jeremiah, Jr. (2)
Miller, H. B. (2)
Millikan, Clark B. (2)
Mingos, Howard
Minister of Civil Aviation, London
Mock, Richard
Morgan, Thomas (2)
Moseley, C. C. (2)
Mosier, O. M. (2)
Neff, Walter H.
Nelson, Mary (2)
Nichols, Ruth R.
Norcross, Carl (2)
Nordenskiöld, Bengt G. (2)
Northrop, John K. (2)
Noyes, Blanche
Oertel, R. C. (2)
Omlie, Phoebe F.
Osborn, Earl D.
Pace, Frank, Jr.
Page, F. Handley
Parker, J. Brooks (2)
Parkins, J. H. (2)
Parks, Oliver L. (2)
Parish, Wayne W. (2)
Patterson, W. A. (2)

Peabody, Hume (2)
Peale, Mundy I. (2)
Pearson, C. C. (2)
Pedler, James S. (2)
Piasecki, F. N. (2)
Pippard, A. J. S.
Pogue, L. Welch (3)
Poulsen, C. M.
Pritchard, J. Laurence
Prudden, Earl
Purdue University
Putt, D. L.
Pye, D. R.

 
       
  8 R-S 1951, 1954
   

Ramsey, D. C. (2)
Raymond, Arthur (2)
Reichelderfer, F. W.
Reid, Elliot (3)
Reid, H. J. E. (2)
Relf, E. F.
Rentschler, F. B.
Rentzel, D. W.
Rheinstrom, Charles A. (2)
Richardson, Lawence B. (2)
Rickenbacker, E. V. (3)
Robischon, E. W.
Rockefeller, Laurance S. (2)
Roper, Albert
Roe, Sir Alliott
Rosendahl, Charles E. (2)
Royal Aero Club, London
Ryan, T. Claude (2)
Sanborn, John A.
Saulinen
Saville, Gordon P. (2)
Sayre, Daniel
Scanlon, Martin F. (2)
Schery, C. F.
Schwendler, William T.
Science Museum, London
Sempill, Lord (2)
Sharp, Edward R.
Sherman, Dallas B.
Shrader, W. A. (2)
Sikorsky, I. I. (2)
Silsbee, Nathaniel F.
Silverstein, Abe
Slessor, John C.
Smith, C. R. (2)
Smith, Geoffrey
Smith, Maurice (2)
Smith, Richard (2)
Smithsonian Institution
[Soucek], Apollo (2)
Spaatz, Carl (2)
Sperry, Elmer, Jr. (2)
Squier, Carl B. (2)
Stanford University Library
Stewart, Oliver
Stout, E. G. (2)
Stout, William B. (2)
Symington, Stuart

 
       
  9 T-Z 1951-1954
   

Talbert, Ansil E. (2)
Taylor, James B. III (3)
Teichmann, Frederick K. (3)
Telfer, J. F.
Thaden, Mrs. Herbert V. (Louise) (2)
Thomas, Lowell (2)
Thompson, M. J. (2)
Thompson Products Museum
Tizard, Sir Henry
Towers, J. H. (2)
Trippe, Juan T. (3)
Turner, Roscoe (3)
Twining, N. F.
Union Club, New York
Upson, Ralph H. (3)
Van Dusen, William (2)
Van Zandt, J. Parker (2)
Vetlesen, Georg Unger (4)
Victory, J. F. (6)
Warner, Edward (4)
Warrender, Lee D.
Webster, Robert M.
Webster, William
Weems, P. V. H.
Wells, Edward C. (2)
Wells, Jay Gillis
Wetmore, A.
Whittle, Sir Frank (2)
Wilkinson, Paul H.
Wilson, Eugene E.
Wilson, Gill Robb (2)
Wilson, J. A.
Winslow, C.-E. A.
Wood, Eric W.
Wood, Robert H. (2)
Woods-Humphrey, G. E.
Wright, M. E. A.
Wright, T. P. (2)
Young, Clarence M. (2)
10 Unidentified Letters 1951

 
       
Series III SPECIAL EVENTS
       
Box File Item Date
    Dedications  
4 1 Dedication of Wright Homestead and Bicycle Shop at Greenfield Village, Michigan Apr. 16, 1938
  2 Dedication of Wilbur and Orville Wright Memorial at Dayton, Ohio Sept. 19, 1940
  3 Launching and christening of U.S.S. Wright (See also Box 10, File 8 for Oversize Photos) 1945-1947
  4 Dedication of Dwight Mutchler painting at the Ohio Historical Society-"Wilbur and Orville Wright and Their Accomplishments" Dec. 17, 1959
  5 Commissioning of U.S.S. Wright (CC-2) 1963
  6 Dedications at AF Museum 1971, 1976
  7 Dedication of Wright Cycle Co. Shop, Carillon Park, Dayton, Ohio May 6, 1972
  8 Wright Brothers Memorial-Transfer of Ownership from Miami Conservancy District to the U. S. Air Force Sept. 9, 1978
  9 Dedication of Moraine Museum ca. 1980s
  10 Dedication of Greensboro-High Point Airport Terminal July-Dec. 1982
  11 Dedication of monument to powered flight, Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, Alabama Sept. 18, 1985
  12 Dedication of Wright Cycle Co., 22 S. Williams St., Dayton, Ohio June 25, 1988
  13 Dedication of the Wright "B" Flyer Hangar, Dayton General Airport, Dayton, Ohio May 5, 1981
       
   

Ceremonies and Anniversaries

 
  14 Wright Motor Presentation to Engineer's Club, Dayton, Ohio Jan. 1949
  15 Wright Brothers' Day celebrations at Wright Memorial, Dayton, Ohio 1980-1991
  16 Wright "B" Flyer Reproduction-First Flight 1982-1983
  17 Commemorative ceremony marking the original dedication of Wright Field Oct. 12, 1984
  18 25th Anniversary of the First Aeroplane Flight
a. Official Program-"Observance by the City of Dayton, Ohio of the 25th Anniversary of the First Aeroplane Flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright"		 Dec. 9, 1948
  18 b. Pamphlet-"The Shop that Became a Shrine" by Howard Egbert (Issued and Sponsored by the Dayton Chamber of Commerce) (See Oversize Location 57, File 1 for large photograph of attendees at celebration) Dec. 17, 1948
  19 Program-49th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers Flight, Dayton Chamber of Commerce Dec. 17, 1952
  20 Program outline and medals-50th Anniversary of Powered Flight
a) "Program Outline, 50th Anniversary of Powered Flight, Dec. 17, 1952-Dec. 17, 1953, National Celebration," National Committee to Observe the 50th Anniversary of Powered Flight
b) Medals-"National Aircraft Show Dayton, Event of Ohio's Sesquicentennial, 1803-1953" 		1952-1953
  21 60th Anniversary of Wright Brothers Flights in Europe 1969
  22 Wilbur Wright Bicentennial Aviation Festival, New Castle, Indiana 1976
       
Box File Item Date
5 1 Library of Congress luncheon celebrating 75th Anniversary of Wright Brothers First Flight 1978-1979
  2 75th Anniversary of Flight celebration at the Franklin Institute Dec. 15, 1978
  3 First Flight banquet celebrating 75th Anniversary of Powered Flight, Dayton, Ohio Dec. 16, 1978
  4 Liberal Institute of Natural Science and Technology tribute to Wright Brothers 1978
  5 The First Flight Society of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina- 75th and 80th Anniversary celebrations of First Flight 1978-1983
  6

1903 Wright Flyer reproduction built for 75th Anniversary commemoration at Wright Memorial, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

1979
  7 Preview performance of ITT Special, "The Winds of Kitty Hawk", Sheraton Park Hotel, Washington, D.C. 1978-1979
  8 80th Anniversary of Powered Flight, Dayton, Ohio Dec. 17, 1983
  9 75th Anniversary of Military Flight, Ft. Myer, Virginia July 30, 1984
  10 75th Anniversary of Wright Brothers' stay in Montgomery, Alabama 1985-1986
  11 Tribute to the Wright Brothers during "North Carolina Salute to the Voyages of Discovery" Feb.-Mar. 1987
       
   

Other Events

 
  12 Award of Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy,Address by Grover Loening to Aero Club of Washington, D.C. Dec. 16, 1950
  13 Hall of Fame for Great Americans, New York University May 7, 1967
  14 Wilbur Wright State Memorial, Millville, Indiana 1953-1977
  15 Dayton Air Fair, Honorary Chairperson 1977-1980
  16 Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Wright Brothers Commemorative Symposium Oct. 1978
  17 Presentation of Awards, 10 Best Home Built Airplanes, EAA, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1978
  18 Early Dayton display at Winters Bank, Dayton, Ohio Mar. 19, 1981
  19 Early Flight exhibit, AF Museum, Dayton, Ohio May 1984
  20 Wright "B" Flyer Honorary Aviator Certificates-Ivonette and Harold Miller July 19, 1984
  21 Opening of Early Flight exhibit at Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA May 9, 1985
  22 90th Birthday Party and Opening of Early Flight exhibit at the California Museum of Science & Industry Apr. 1986
  23 AF Museum-Presentation of patches of muslin from Wright Brothers airplane Apr. 3, 1986
  24 McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft Co. visit Apr. 9, 1986
  25 ASA Convention, Washington, D.C. Sept. 12-13, 1983
  26 President's Club, Dayton, Ohio May 10, 1984
  27 Wright Memorial Dinner, Aero Club of Washington, D.C. 1983, 1985
  28 Filming of "The Wright Brothers at Huffman Prairie" Oct. 17, 1986
  29 Aviation Trail Trailblazer Award ceremony Apr. 16, 1988
       
Box File Item Date
   

Commemorative Postage Stamps

 
6 1 "First Day of Issue, United States 6 Cent Air Mail Postage Stamp Commemorating 50th Anniversary of Powered Flight, Dayton, Ohio"-Program and stamps (See Box 10, File 13 for commemorative folder presented to Milton Wright with sheet of stamps) May 29, 1953
  2 "First Day Ceremonies Wright Brothers 21 cent International Air Mail Stamps"-Program, invitation, letters from Dayton Stamp Club, and official commemorative letters issued by International Aerospace Hall of Fame (See Box 10, File 14 for commemorative stamp folders with stamps presented to Ivonette Wright Miller and Wright Brothers Archives) Sept. 23, 1978
  3 Certificate-29th ASDA National Stamp Show, New York City Nov. 1977
  4 Certificate-6 Cent Air Mail Stamp, including partial sheet of stamps Dec. 17, 1983
  5 2 Cent U.S. Postage Stamp-International Civil Aeronautics Conference Dec. 1928
  6 U.S. Postage Stamps-Variety . n.d
  7 Italian stamps commemorating 75th Anniversary of Powered Flight 1978
  8 Commemorative envelopes celebrating flight 1928, 1936
  9 Commemorative envelopes celebrating flight 1938, 1939
  10 Commemorative envelopes celebrating flight 1940, 1941
  11 Commemorative envelopes celebrating flight 1948, 1949, 1953
  12 Commemorative envelopes celebrating flight 1978-1980
       
   

Aviation Hall of Fame

 
  13 Programs-Enshrinement Ceremonies 1962-1964
  14 Programs-Enshrinement Ceremonies 1966-1967
  15 Programs-Enshrinement Ceremonies 1972-1975
  16 Programs-Enshrinement Ceremonies 1977-1979
  17 Programs-Enshrinement Ceremonies 1980-1983, 1985
  18 Program-77th Anniversary of Powered Flight Celebration Dec. 17, 1980
  19 Charter Member Certificates-Ivonette Wright Miller & Harold Miller Dec. 17, 1983
  20 Newsletters 1974-1980
  21 Newsletters 1985
  22 Miscellaneous information n.d.
  23 Collection Series of Portraits 1978
  24 Collection Series of Portraits 1979
  25 Collection Series of Portraits 1979, 1981
  26 Collection Series of Portraits 1982
  27 Collection Series of Portraits 1984
       

Series IV PHOTOGRAPHS

 
       
Box File Item Date
7 1 Milton Wright portrait photographs ca. 1912
  2 Wilbur Wright in Hart O. Berg's apartment in Paris, France J uly 30, 1909
  3 Orville Wright 1909-1946
    a. Orville Wright, holding strut of airplane, talking to unidentified individual in Germany 1909
    b. Group photo taken in backyard of house at 7 Hawthrone St., Dayton, Ohio. Shown in photo is: Lorin Wright, Prof. Reeder, Wilbur Wright, Webb Landis, Bishop Wright, Albert Shearer, Lon Shank, Orville Wright, & Ed Sines 1909
    c. Orville Wright & Griffith Brewer sitting on the porch at Hawthorn Hill, Dayton, Ohio 1912
    d. Group photo: Orville Wright, Captain Edward Rickenbacker, & Major R. W. Schroeder ca. 1920
    e. John A. Macready shaking hands with Orville Wright. At left, with helmet on, is Oakley G. Kelly Mar. 1923
    f. Orville Wright visit to Dearborn, Michigan. Left to right: Orville Wright, Charles Taylor & Henry Ford 1937
    g. Semi annual meeting of National Advisor Committee for Aeronautics. Seated left to right: F.W. Reichelderfer; Clinton M. Hester; Robert H. Hinckley; Admiral John H. Towers; General H. H. Arnold; Orville Wright; Robert H. Doherty; Dr. Vannevar Bush; George J. Meade; Charles G. Abbot; Edward P. Warner; Lyman J. Briggs; General George H. Brett, Captain Sydney W. Krause, & Jerome C. Hunsaker. Standing: S. Paul Johnston; Dr. George W. Lewis: & John F. Victory Apr. 18, 1940
    h. Group photo. Left to right: Orville Wright, General H. H. Arnold, & J. C. Hunsacker. NACA Semi annual meeting Apr. 18, 1940
    i. General A. W. Vauarnan, Commanding General, Wright Field and Orville Wright at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio Oct. 28, 1942
    j. NCR night at YMCA membership campaign dinner.Standing in center is Orville Wright acknowledging introduction Nov. 11, 1943
    k. Frank Coffyn and Orville Wright at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio. Autographed "My best regards to Orville, Frank Coffyn" May 1, 1944
    l. Orville Wright and Colonel Jackson viewing first Hudson off the assembly line at Detroit, Michigan Aug. 30, 1945
    m. General Craigie and Orville Wright Aug. 19, 1946
    n. Group photo taken at Wright Field, Dayton, Left to right: General Chidlaw, Col. E. A. Deeds, Orville Wright, & General Craigie Ohio. 1946
    o. Group photo: Inter-American Commission on Commercial Aeronautics visit Orville Wright. Left to right: Maj. Guloago, Francisco Lajont, Orville Wright, Juan Guillermo Villasanay, & Col. Carlos Garfias n.d.
    p. Group photo: Orville Wright with unidentified individuals n.d.
  4 Katharine Wright
a. The Katharine Wright Haskell Fountain in front of the Allen Art Gallery at Oberlin College. Fountain given by Henry Haskell in her memory.
b. Griffith Brewer, Katharine Wright, & Vjalmar Steffanson 1920
c. Orville Wright, Steffanson, Katharine Wright, & Brewer 1920
d. Steffanson & Katharine Wright 1920
e. Small circular portrait photo of Orville and Katharine Wright ca. 1910		 n.d.
  5 Lorin Wright Home on Grant Street, Dayton, Ohio 1902
  6 Louis Carvin and sculpture 1909
  7 De Lambert photos 1909
    a. Cordelier de Lambert 1909
    b. May de Lambert n.d.
  8 Count de Gambert Oct. 23, 1909
    Grover Loening photographs  
    a. Grover Loening with Orville Wright at Simms Station Sept. 1913
  9 b. Grover Loening portrait, "With affectionate regards to Harold and Ivonette Miller-and thanks for their cordial hospitality" Dec. 28, 1969
  10 Model "B" flying at Simms Station 1910
  11 Kitty Hawk, North Carolina Oct. 1911
    a. Wright glider in front of hangar  
    b. Men carrying Wright glider up hill  
    c. Men standing around Wright glider on hill  
  12 Dayton Wright Factory-Corner of paint shop (Gainway & H. Harold) 1911
  13 Hawthorn Hill, Dayton, Ohio-includes photographs of house under construction, completed, & interior views (43 photographs) 1913-1941
  14 "Scipio"-Orville Wright's St. Bernard (126 photographs). Includes photos as a puppy, at Hawthorn Hill, Lambert Island, and with Orville, Katharine, and other members of Wright family. 1917-1922
  15 Original Wright 1903 Flyer in Science Museum, London (21 photographs of various views of airplane hanging in museum) Mar. 1928
  16 Wright Brothers Aeronautical Engineering Collection at Franklin Institute (Includes draft of article by Ralph H. McClarren describing items)-41 photographs Jan. 1951
  17 Wright Field Museum n.d.
  18 Oakley G. Kelly & John A. Macready (autographed photograph) n.d.
  19 Autographed photo by unknown pilot, "Tom T----" standing in front of a two seat bi-plane Apr. 14, 1942
  20 Lambert Island ca. 1930s
    a. Orville Wright standing on rock  
    b. Orville Wright and Joan Petree with Jay Petree in background  
    c. Orville Wright with Frank & Joan Petree  
   

d. Kathy Wright, Orville Wright, Betty Russell, George Milton Russell, Carrie Grumback, Helen Petree, Jean Petree, & Frank Petree

 
   

e. Jay Petree, Betty Russell, Orville Wright, Wilbur Wright (Herbert's son), Helen Petree, Carrie Grumbach, Frank Petree, & Joan Petree

 
    f. Boat coming into port  
    g. Lambert Island on the bay side showing the railroad and ice house  
   

h. View of Lambert Island from water

 
    i. View near Lambert Island  
    j. View near Lambert Island  
    k. Lambert Island  
    l. Lambert Island  
  21 NCR photograph of camera that took "First Flight" photograph at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on Dec. 17, 1903.
Includes dark room equipment used at the time.		 n.d.
  22 Negatives of Wright family farm in Grant County, Indiana n.d.
  23 Miscellaneous family photographs  
    a. Orville Wright's workshop & laboratory June 1972
    b. Margaret Greenman & Robert Burdelle wedding photo July 22, 1972
    c. Unveiling of painting of "First Flight" Sept. 29, 1975
    d. Harold and Ivonette Miller home 1965
    e. Harold S. Miller, Royal Frey, & Ivonette Wright Miller with one of the original 1903 propellers Oct. 1983
    f. Jimmy Doolittle & Harold S. Miller July 1982
    g. Cindy, Margaret, & Paul (no last name) Oct. 1982
    h. Bizzy McClure, Harold S. Miller & Ivonette Wright Miller 1983
    i. Edith Darrod & Vincent 1970  
       
Box File Item Date
8 1 Wright Company Aviators and Wright School of Aviation  
    Consists of pages of album  
       
   

Page 1:

 
    a. J. C. R. Ellehammer Feb. 27, 1917
    b. Walter Brookins and Count de Lesseps with Wright Flyer, Montreal 1910
    c. Cal Rodgers wreck, Long Beach, CA 1912
    d. Harold Snyder, Luzern Custer, & Lincoln Beachey at Dayton Fairgrounds Aug. 1, 1914
    e. Duval LaChappelle, Pau, France 1909
    f. Howard Rinehart & Lincoln Beachey seated in Wright Flyer, Simms Station 1915
    g. Photograph inscribed "Kind Regards from Oswald Short" Sept. 1922
    h. Portrait-Arnold Fordyce Mar. 1906
    i. Lorin Wright & Alexander C. Oglive n.d.
    j. Lorin Wright & Griffith Brewer n.d.
       
    Page 2:  
    a. Lt. Oakley G. Kelly n.d.
    b. Lt. Lester J. Maitland & Lt. Russell J. Maughan n.d.
    c. Photograph inscribed "For Mr. Orville Wright Very Truly Yours M. J. Sonnenschein" Prague 1909
    d. William Henry Bixby. Photograph inscribed "W. H. Bixby, Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army, 1910-1913) n.d.
    e. Curtiss R-6 Racers, Wilbur Wright Field Mar. 1923
    f. Lt. Lester J. Maitland, Major McIntosh, McMahon, Major Hobley, & Lt. Russell J. Maughan ca. 1923
    g. Russell Maughan 1923
    h. Major McIntosh & Lt. Russell J. Maughan ca. 1923
    i. Timing of speed trials, Wilbur Wright Field Mar. 1923
       
    Page 3:  
    a. Ralph Johnstone balanced on a chair, Simms Station 1910
    b. Walter Brookins working on a Flyer, Simms Station 1910
    c. Wright Flyer Model A, Simms Station 1910
    d. James Davis, Griffith Brewer, Ralph Johnstone, Frank Coffyn, & Walter Brookins, Simms Station 1910
    e. Frank Coffyn watching Ralph Johnstone standing on his hands, Simms Station 1910
    f. Frank Coffyn, Walter Brookings, & Griffith Brewer, Simms Station 1910
    g. Wright Flyer Model A in flight, Simms Station 1910
    h. Wright Flyer Model A on the ground, Simms tation 1910
    i. Wright Flyer Model A landing, Simms Station 1910
    j. Frank Coffyn, Ralph Johnstone, Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright, and Walter Brookins sitting on the ground, Indianapolis May 1910
    k. Griffith Brewer & Orville Wright standing in field at Simms Station 1910
   

l. Griffith Brewer & Orville Wright seated in Wright Flyer Model A, Simms Station

1910
       
    Page 4:  
    a. Howard Gill, Harry N. Atwood, J. Clifford Turpin, Thomas D. Milling, Henry H. Arnold, & Arthur L. Welsh at Simms Station 1911
    b. Harry N. Atwood practicing balance with Orville Wright, and others watching, Simms Station 1911
    c. Group of unidentified men moving a Wright Flyer Model B ca. 1911
       
   

Page 5:

 
   

a. Group photograph-O. A. Danielson, Howard M. Rinehart, Kenneth Whiting, Katherine Stinson, Griffith Brewer, & C. Ando, Simms Station

1914
   

b. Griffith Brewer, Simms Station

1914
   

c. Mrs. Kenneth Whiting, Katharine Wright, Marjorie Stinson, A. G. Woodward, O. A. Danielson, & Griffith Brewer, Simms Station

1914
   

d. Marjorie & Katherine Stinson, Simms Station

ca. 1914
    e. Group photograph-Katherine Stinson, Mrs. Kenneth Whiting, Orville Wright, Katharine Wright, & Griffith Brewer Aug. 1, 1914
    f. O. A. Danielson seated in Wright Flyer 1914
    g. Barney Oldfield, Orville Wright, & Lincoln Beachey Aug. 1, 1914
    h. Katharine Wright and unidentified other persons, Simms Station ca. 1914
       
   

Page 6:

 
    a. Lt. Frank Lahm, Orville Wright, & Katharine Wright. Aug. 1911
    Mrs. Griffith Brewer seated in Wright Flyer, Simms Station  
   

b. Katharine Wright, Mrs. Griffith Brewer, MacPherson, & Orville Wright with Wright Flyer, Simms Station

1911
   

c. Major A. B. Lambert & Orville Wright seated in Wright Flyer, Simms Station

1910
    d. Governor Hadley of Missouri & Theodore seated in an automobile at the St. Louis Aeronautic meet Oct. 1910
       
   

Page 7:

 
    a. Walter Brookins, Asbury Park Aug. 1910
    b. Ralph Johnstone, Asbury Park Aug. 1910
    c. Duval LaChappelle, Arch Hoxsey, Ralph Johnstone, & Frank Coffyn, Asbury Park Aug. 1910
    d. Cal Rodgers seated in Wright Flyer Model B 1911
   

e. Roy Knabenshue and two unidentified men in a balloon basket, Los Angeles

1912
    f. Arthur L. Welsh standing near Wright Flyer ca. 1912
       
   

Page 8:

 
   

a. Capt. Charles DeF. Chandler seated in a Wright Flyer Model B, College Park, Maryland

1912
   

b. Roy Knabenshue in gondola of an airship, Chicago

1914
   

c. Orville Wright

1917-1924
       
 

2

Page 1:

 
   

a. Lt. Delagrange, French Commission; Orville Wright; Major Tulasne, French Flying Corps; & Major L. W. Reese, British Air Corps, in front of Wright Flyer Model B, Dayton, Ohio

May 25, 1917
   

b. Same group talking in front of Wright Model B Flyer

May 25, 1917
   

c. Group photograph-H. E. Talbot, E. A. Deeds, Fisher, Charles F. Kettering, Orville Wright, Lt. Delagrange, Major Tulasne & Major W. B. Reese

May 25, 1917
    d. Orville Wright & Major L. W. B. Reese in front of Wright Flyer Model B, Dayton, Ohio May 25, 1917
    e. Wright Flyer Model B with hangars in background. Unidentified group standing near airplane May 25, 1917
    f. Katharine Wright, Mrs. Kenneth Whiting, Bishop Milton Wright, Orville Wright, & Lt. Kenneth Whiting at the Dayton Fairgrounds ca. 1917
       
8 2 Page 2:  
    a. Orville Wright, Langley Field, Virginia Apr. 21, 1922
   

b. D. L. Bacon, North, Orville Wright, & George W. Lewis, Langley Field, Virginia

Apr. 21, 1922
    c. Orville Wright in his laboratory, Dayton, Ohio Jan. 1922
    d. Orville Wright, Katharine Wright, & three unidentified