OVERVIEW
Minnesota Historical Society
Air Museum of
Minnesota.
Minnesota aviation
collection.
1891-1988
(bulk 1920-1980).
Materials collected by the Air Museum of
Minnesota, an organization of aviation historians and enthusiasts dedicated to
the collection and preservation of materials documenting the history of
aviation in the state.
8.5 cubic feet (8
boxes).
See [Detailed Description](a9) section for shelf
locations.
HISTORICAL NOTE
The Air Museum of Minnesota, a non-profit corporation, was apparently
an organization of aviation historians and enthusiasts dedicated to the
collection and preservation of Minnesota aviation history. George Holey of
Faribault, Minnesota was its president for many years. Others associated with
the group included Anne M. Holey and Stuart Radsom. It is not clear to the
cataloger if the group ever in fact operated a musem, or if it simply collected
information and memorabilia related to the history of aviation in Minnesota.
George Holey (1912-1989) was an aviation historian and an early
Minnesota aviator. He received his transport (commercial) pilot's license in
1929, and worked as a flight instructor from 1931 to 1940 for several
employers, including Hinck Flying Service (1939-1940). He was a flight
supervisor and district superintendent for the Civil Aeronautics Administration
from 1940 to 1944. Holey was employed by the Minnesota Department of
Aeronautics from 1947 to 1977. He was apointed deputy commissioner of the
Department in 1967, and served as director of its office of operations from
1976 until his retirement in 1977. He also served as secretary of the Minnesota
Wing (chapter) of the OX5 Club, an association formed to perpetuate the memory
and accomplishments of airmen who learned to fly with the OX5 aircraft engine.
SCOPE AND CONTENTS
The collection consists primarily of subject files. There are also
some clippings scrapbooks, transcripts of oral history interviews, issues of an
aviation magazine, and some airport registers. There are no records of the Air
Museum itself.
There is information about a number of early Minnesota aviators,
airport operators, and others connected with aviation, including George Holey,
C. W. Hinck, Francis J. Geng, L. D. Hammond, and Charles A. Lindbergh; Holman
(St. Paul) and Wold-Chamberlain (Minneapolis) airfields; Olympian Air-Ways and
Northwest Airways, Inc.; the Civil Aeronautics Administration; aviation in
World War I; and the OX5 Club of America and its Minnesota Wing. There are also
copies of Aero and Hydro magazine (1910-1914) with
an index to Minnesota-related articles, and registers from the Duluth, Mankato,
and Rochester, Minnesota airports.
Most of the material comprising the collection was donated by
long-term Air Museum president George Holey, of Faribault, Minnesota, in
several accessions over a period of several years.
ARRANGEMENT
These documents are organized into the following sections:
- Alphabetically-arranged Subject Files
- Numerically-coded Subject Files
- Aero and Hydro Magazine
RELATED MATERIALS
Aeronautics Department records in the Minnesota State Archives.
Some photographs have been transferred to the Minnesota Historical
Society sound and visual collections.
Oral history audio tapes have been transferred to the Minnesota
Historical Society sound and visual collections.
A transcript of a 1953 interview with George Holey is located in the
Minnesota Historical Society manuscript collections.
CATALOG HEADINGS
Topics:
Aeronautics -- Minnesota -- History.
Aeronautics -- Societies, etc.
Air pilots.
Airports -- Minnesota -- Registers.
Women air pilots.
Persons:
Geng, Francis J., 1893-.
Hammond, Laurence D., 1892-1968.
Hinck, Clarence W.
Holey, George, 1912-1989.
Holman, Charles Willis, 1898-1931.
Hubbard, Stanley E.
Johnson, Thorwald, 1903-1973.
Kidder, William Anson, 1886-.
Lindbergh, Charles A. (Charles Augustus), 1902-1974.
Organizations:
Aero Club of Minneapolis.
Holman Field (Airport : Saint Paul, Minn.).
Northwest Airways, Inc.
Olympian Air-Ways (Minneapolis, Minn.).
OX5 Club of America. Minnesota Wing.
OX5 Club of America (Pittsburgh, Pa.).
United States. Civil Aeronautics Administration.
Wold-Chamberlain Field.
Types of Documents:
Interviews.
Photographs.
Scrapbooks.
Titles:
Aero and hydro.
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Preferred Citation:
[Indicate the cited item and/or series
here]. Air Museum of Minnesota Collection. Minnesota Historical
Society.
See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional
examples.
Accession Information:
Accession numbers: 8899; 12,361; 12,376; 12,485; 12,603; 12,656;
12,733; 12,795; 12,923; 13,232; 13,404; 13,619; 14,061; 14,215; 14,385;
14,473.
Processing Information:
Processed by: John M. Wickre, May 1978-Oct. 1985; David B. Peterson,
Aug. 1990-March 1992.
Catalog ID number: 09-00023628
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Alphabetically-Arranged Subject Files
147.A.3.8F
1
Aero Club of Minneapolis,
1925.
Aero Digest,
1926.
Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce of America, Inc.:
Junior Aircraft Year Book,
1935.
Lists of aircraft licenses,
1934.
Aeronautical Developments in
Minnesota,
1941.
148.C.9.7B
8
Airport registers:
Duluth Municipal Airport:
1930-1942.
1946-1962.
Mankato Airport (Mankato, Minn.),
1942-1943.
Rochester Airport (Rochester, Minn.),
1929-1942.
147.A.3.8F
1
American Airman,
May 1961.
American Association of Airport Executives:
Directory,
1960, 1963.
2 volumes.
Aviation magazine,
December 17, 1923.
This was the 20th anniversary of mechanical flight.
Aviation history book project (Sandvik/Allard),
1985-1986.
Aviation in Minnesota: A Progress
Report,
1952.
Civil Aeronautics Administration:
CAA training program at Duluth,
1941.
Certified aircraft directory supplements,
1946.
3 folders.
148.C.9.7B
8
Chicago air show: Contact
newspaper (Air Show issue),
January 29, 1938.
147.A.3.8F
1
Civil aircraft by states and counties,
1950-1951.
Civil Aeronautics Board: Aviation statistics,
1960.
Clippings (miscellaneous),
undated and 1946-1982.
Descriptions of Airports and
Landing Fields in the United States,
1938.
Duluth airport: Dedication program,
1930.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): Civilian pilot
training program and the war training service (1939-1944),
undated.
Flying schools,
[circa 1928]-1948.
Growth of private flying,
1943.
Hinck, Clarence W.:
[Correspondence and miscellaneous papers],
1919-1964.
6 folders.
147.A.4.1B
2
Account book,
1920-1923.
Federated Fliers, Inc.:
[Miscellaneous items],
undated.
Account book,
1921.
Hinck Flying Service, Inc.,
undated and 1950s.
Press releases and miscellaneous lists,
undated.
Republic Seabee,
undated and 1946-1957.
Tour account book,
1923-1924.
Miscellany,
undated and 1930-1965.
Holey, George:
Oral history interview transcript,
1984.
Personal file,
undated and 1930-1966.
9 folders.
147.A.4.2F
3
Personal file,
1967-1987.
11 folders.
Pilot's license and certificates of registration,
1930-1935.
Pilot's log books:
Nov. 5, 1929-June 27, 1930.
Oct. 2, 1935-May 23, 1942.
4 books; 2 folders.
A Veteran Pilot Remembers,
1985.
This is a paper presented at an annual meeting of the
Minnesota Historical Society.
Holman Field: Air-craft register sheets,
1928-1930.
148.C.9.7B
8
National Aeronautical Association of U.S.A.: Greater
Twin Cities Chapter charter,
1941.
147.A.4.2F
3
National Association of State Aviation Officials,
1951-1977.
Neff, Larry: Air ride tickets,
[circa 1934]-1935.
North Central Air Lines: DC-3 No. 728,
[circa 1960s].
Olympian Air-Ways,
1920s.
OX5 Club of America:
The OX5 Club was an association formed to perpetuate the memory
and accomplishments of airmen who learned to fly with the OX5 aircraft
engine.
National organization:
1960-1971.
Annual reunions,
1961-1967.
Constitution and bylaws,
1959-1961.
Insurance plans for members,
1968-1969.
Membership materials (miscellaneous),
undated and 1968.
Nominating committee,
1967.
144.A.1.5B
4
OX5 News,
1961-1985.
7 folders.
Reorganization:
Committee,
1967-1968.
Correspondence,
1967-1968.
Pre-reorganization mailing,
1967.
Miscellany,
1962-1966.
OX5 Minnesota Wing:
[Correspondence and miscellaneous papers],
undated and 1960-1974.
4 folders.
Annual reunions,
undated and 1965-1967.
Ball, Cliff,
1961-1967.
Committees,
1966-1967.
Constitution and bylaws,
undated and [circa 1959]-1964.
Correspondence,
1964-1967.
Goebel, Arthur C.,
1964-1967.
Goff, E. A., Jr. (Pete),
1962-1968.
Membership rosters,
1966-1980.
Willmar meeting,
1966.
Wing newsletters (various, non-Minnesota),
1965-1972.
Miscellany,
1967-1968.
144.A.1.6F
5
Photographs:
Aircraft,
undated and 1918-1938.
Aircraft (Minnesota-related),
undated and 1912-1948.
Jim Borden collection (NWA),
undated and 1911-1920.
Frank Geng collection,
undated and 1916-1953.
L. D. Hammond collection: Wold-Chamberlain Field,
undated and 1928-1931.
Individuals,
undated and 1928-1962.
Northwest Airways, Inc.,
undated [1930s?].
Earl Olson collection,
undated and 1917-1952.
148.C.9.7B
8
Oversize photographs,
1946-1948.
This includes aerial views of the Rochester airport and of
downtown Minneapolis.
144.A.1.6F
5
Miscellaneous photographs,
undated and 1959-1965.
Robbinsdale (Minn.) Sport Plane Pioneers,
1964.
Robert J. Collier trophy (1911-1950),
1950.
Rochester (Minn.) airport:
Correspondence and miscellaneous papers,
undated and 1942-1966.
Historical sketches,
1960, 1979.
Photographs,
undated and 1929-1961.
Schedules and fares,
1929-1937.
Scrapbooks:
Geng, Frank: Clippings, primarily concerning Holman
Field,
1928-1947, 1956.
3 volumes.
Hudec, Harry E.: Clippings concerning Wright Brothers,
Lindbergh, Holman, etc.,
undated and 1927-1934.
Wold-Chamberlain Field (Minneapolis),
1928-1945.
Miscellany,
[circa 1920s]-1930s, 1965-1980.
148.C.9.7B
8
Scrapbooks (oversize):
Aero Club of Minneapolis: Transatlantic flights and
general aviation news,
1919.
Hammond, L. D.:
Clippings related to Wold-Chamberlain Field, etc.,
[circa 1930s]-1940s.
2 volumes.
Clippings and photographs related to the 88th
Squadron (World War I era),
[circa 1918]-1919.
2 volumes.
U.S. Air Mail map,
1926.
Numerically-Coded Subject Files
Many of the following files contain oral history interview
transcripts. In most cases there are audio tapes and additional copies of the
interview transcripts cataloged separately in the Minnesota Historical Society
sound and visual collection.
144.A.1.6F
5
100. Kidder, William Anson
(first fixed-base operator in Minnesota),
undated and 1917-1971.
This file contains an oral history interview transcript. The
audio tape and a copy of the transcript are in the Minnesota Historical Society
sound and visual collection.
101. Geng, Francis J.
(b.1893) (director, Holman Field),
undated and 1965-1977.
This file contains an oral history interview transcript. The
audio tape and a copy of the transcript are in the Minnesota Historical Society
sound and visual collection.
102. Otis, Arthur and Eleanor
(Otis Lodge, Grand Rapids, Minnesota),
undated and 1937-1976.
This file contains an oral history interview transcript. The
audio tape and a copy of the transcript are in the Minnesota Historical Society
sound and visual collection.
103. Newstrom, Gordon B.
(b.1912) (Grand Rapids, Minnesota fixed-base operator and airport manager),
undated and 1929-1930, 1961-1977.
This file contains an oral history interview transcript. The
audio tape and a copy of the transcript are in the Minnesota Historical Society
sound and visual collection.
104. Georgia, Vernon
(1902-1982),
undated and 1929, 1965-1982.
105. Hinck and Akerman,
1965-1972.
106. Bullock, Walter R.
(1899-1986),
undated and 1965-1986.
This file contains an oral history interview transcript.
144.A.1.7B
6
107. Hammond, Laurence D.
(1892-1968) (director, Wold-Chamberlain Field),
undated and 1965-1970.
This file contains an oral history interview transcript. The
audio tape and a copy of the transcript are in the Minnesota Historical Society
sound and visual collection.
108. Olson, Earl O. (b.1898),
1914-1972.
This file contains an oral history interview transcript.
109. Croft, Edwin H. (b.1908)
(captain, Braniff Airlines),
undated and 1965-1968.
This file contains an oral history interview transcript. The
audio tape and a copy of the transcript are in the Minnesota Historical Society
sound and visual collection.
110. Merrill, Lawrence E.
("Abe") (b.1908) (Faribault, Minnesota pilot),
undated and 1965-1979.
This file contains an oral history interview transcript. The
audio tape and a copy of the transcript are in the Minnesota Historical Society
sound and visual collection.
111. Swenson, Don (b.1902),
undated and 1966-1981.
112. Johnson, Francis W.
(b.1903) (chief game warden, Minnesota Department of Conservation),
undated and 1965.
This file contains an oral history interview transcript. The
audio tape and a copy of the transcript are in the Minnesota Historical Society
sound and visual collection.
113. Hodge, Robert D.
(b.1921) (warden pilot, Minnesota Department of Conservation),
undated and 1965-1967.
This file contains an oral history interview transcript. The
audio tape and a copy of the transcript are in the Minnesota Historical Society
sound and visual collection.
114. Hoffmann, Lloyd J.
(b.1920),
1965.
115. Parker, John J.
(b.1921),
1965.
116. Schroeder, Leslie L.
(b.1907),
1965-1980.
This file contains an oral history interview transcript.
117. Palen, Richard G.,
undated and 1965.
118. Johnson, Thorwald
("Thunder") (1903-1973),
1929-1931, 1955-1974.
This file contains an oral history interview transcript.
119. Larsen, C. M.,
1966.
120. Jackson, Dale ("Red")
(d.1932),
undated and 1968-1982.
121. Pietenpol, Bernard,
undated and 1931, 1958-1974.
122. Hurd, Mark M. (d.1969),
1969.
123. Longlet, Melvin W.
(b.1916) (3M pilot and mechanic),
undated and 1969-1980.
This file contains an oral history interview transcript. The
audio tape and a copy of the transcript are in the Minnesota Historical Society
sound and visual collection.
124. Northwest Airlines
pilots,
1967-1974.
125. Wiley, Frank W.,
1970.
126. Booen, Sherm (b.1913)
(aviation journalist),
1970-1980.
This file contains an oral history interview transcript. The
audio tape and a copy of the transcript are in the Minnesota Historical Society
sound and visual collection.
127. Van Dusen, G. B.,
1961-1970.
128. Hubbard, Stanley E.,
undated and 1922-1979.
Hubbard was an early pilot and pioneer in the use of aircraft
for radio and television news reporting. This file contains an oral history
interview transcript. The audio tape and a copy of the transcript are in the
Minnesota Historical Society sound and visual collection.
129. McCabe, Lawrence E.
(b.1924) ,
undated and 1968-1985.
McCabe was a naval aviator and commissioner of the Minnesota
Department of Aeronautics from 1962 to 1976. This file contains an oral history
interview transcript. The audio tape and a copy of the transcript are in the
Minnesota Historical Society sound and visual collection.
130. Lindbergh, Charles A.,
Jr. (1902-1974),
undated and 1966-1985.
131. Holman, Charles
(1898-1931),
undated and 1928, 1972-1974.
132. Conrad, Max A.
(1903-1979),
1969-1979.
133. Barton, E. T.,
1970.
134. Hamilton, Sam R.,
undated and 1970-1971.
135. _____, Rudy,
1970.
136. Johnson, Roy,
1971.
137. DePonti, Angelo,
1971.
138. Wiederkehr, Matt,
undated and 1972.
139. Commuter airlines,
1973.
140. Magie, William,
1974.
141. Holman Field,
1928-1936, 1974.
142. Kraus/Ritz,
1976.
143. Museum of Transport (St.
Paul),
1977.
144. Earhart, Amelia,
1977-1984.
145. Women pilots,
undated and 1929, 1967-1977.
146. MacIver, Dale,
undated.
147. Perrizo, Mitchel,
undated.
148. Hovda, Jim (b.1939)
(Minneapolis sports parachutist),
1979-1980.
This file contains an oral history interview transcript. The
audio tape and a copy of the transcript are in the Minnesota Historical Society
sound and visual collection.
149. Webb, Alex G.,
1979.
150. Rice, John and Mary Jane
(John was a Willmar, Minnesota airport operator; Mary Jane was a Willmar,
Minnesota pilot),
1979.
This file contains oral history interview transcripts. The audio
tapes and copies of the transcripts are in the Minnesota Historical Society
sound and visual collection.
151. Finholt, Edith (b.1916)
(early woman pilot),
undated and 1940, 1980-1984.
This file contains an oral history interview transcript. The
audio tape and a copy of the transcript are in the Minnesota Historical Society
sound and visual collection.
153. McMahon, Connell M.,
undated and 1891-1912, 1972-1980.
203. Braun, Don C.
(instructor and arctic pilot),
1980.
This file contains an oral history interview transcript. The
audio tape and a copy of the transcript are in the Minnesota Historical Society
sound and visual collection.
204. McMahon, Clair B., Sr. ,
1979-1981.
McMahon was a "barnstormer" and the owner of a pipeline patrol
firm. This file contains an oral history interview transcript. The audio tape
and a copy of the transcript are in the Minnesota Historical Society sound and
visual collection.
205. Development of aviation
in Duluth,
1943, 1961.
206. History of aviation in
Minnesota,
undated and 1949.
207. Metropolitan Airports
Commission,
1968-1970.
208. Women pilots,
1965-1977.
209. OX5 Club,
1985.
210. Missing Iowa aircraft
search,
1959.
211. Skydiving,
1965-1972.
212. Printeds
(miscellaneous),
1947-[circa 1949].
213. Ossanna/Carver aircraft
crash,
1971-1983.
See records of the Minnesota Aeronautics Department in the
Minnesota State Archives for official records of the search (1971-1972).
214. Vertec Corp.,
1969.
215. Cropdusting,
1957-1972.
216. Airports,
undated and 1966-1976.
217. Minnesota Soaring Club,
1970-1976.
218. Minneapolis Jaycees air
show,
1970.
219. Minnesota Department of
Aeronautics: History and purpose,
undated.
220. Timm, Otto
([ca.1894]-1978),
undated and 1914-1981.
221. Minnesota Department of
Aeronautics,
undated and 1965-1974.
151.F.19.14F
7
222. Seaplane landing
prohibitions,
1972.
223. Orr (Minn.) public
airport photographs,
1973.
224. Nieman, Hilbert L.
("Bert"),
1976-1977.
225. Mankato Cloud Busters,
1977.
226. National Weather Service
(John V. Graff),
1970-1982.
227. Twin City Aero
Historians, Inc.,
1979.
228. Doyle, Charles P. ,
1979-1988.
Doyle was a stunt pilot and a Northwest Airlines captain. This
file contains an oral history interview transcript. The audio tape and a copy
of the transcript are in the Minnesota Historical Society sound and visual
collection.
229. Devorak, Joe,
1980.
Devorak was a crop sprayer. This file contains an oral history
interview transcript. The audio tape and a copy of the transcript are in the
Minnesota Historical Society sound and visual collection.
Aero and Hydro Magazine
151.F.19.14F
7
1910 (Dec. 31 issue).
1911.
40 issues/folders.
1912.
46 issues/folders.
1913.
50 issues/folders.
1914.
24 issues/folders.
Index to Minnesota-related articles,
1910-1914.
Photocopies of selected articles,
1911-1914.