Celebrating Katharine Wright at 150!

Posted on August 17, 2024 by Toni Vanden Bos
Katharine Wright walking alongside her brother, Orville, (right), and others at Tempelhof Field in Germany, 1909.
Katharine Wright walking alongside her brother, Orville, (right), and others at Tempelhof Field in Germany, 1909.

Katharine Wright, the younger sister of Wilbur and Orville Wright, turns 150 years old on Monday, August 19th!  That day is also her older brother, Orville’s birthday, and is designated National Aviation Day. Katharine was an unflappable force in her family’s lives and is heralded for her important role in encouraging and supporting her brothers’ success in inventing controlled, powered flight.

Come to the 4th floor of Dunbar Library to see an exhibit featuring Katharine’s life in photographs from the world-renowned archival collection of the Wright Brothers. You are also invited to experience original Katharine Wright photographs, letters, and memorabilia on exhibit in the Special Collections and Archives Reading Room, Tuesday-Friday between the hours of Noon-4 p.m.  All are welcome! 

Not able to see it in person?  View Katharine Wright’s photographs and letters in the Campus Online Repository (CORE Scholar). Just click the links below to connect with history!

Katharine Wright Haskell Papers (MS-700) The digital collection consists of letters written by Katharine Wright Haskell ranging from 1922 to 1926. They contain a variety of details from her personal life, from major historical moments to minor details of her daily life and interpersonal connections. Throughout her life, Katharine assisted her brothers in their engineering and business ventures, was an activist in the first-wave feminist movement, taught high school, and was an Oberlin College Board of Trustees member.

Katharine Wright Letters (SC-117) Original and transcribed copies of letters dated 1911-1933 from Katharine Wright to friend Mrs. J.B. Guthrie (Florence).

Katharine Wright’s Correspondence with Agnes Beck (SC-97) The collection consists of eight letters written by Katharine Wright, sister of Wilbur and Orville Wright, to her close friend, Agnes Beck. The letters span 1908-1929 and discuss Wilbur and Orville Wright, their flights, the Wright Family, and other personal matters.

Wright Brothers Collection (MS-1) The Wright Brothers Collection documents the invention of the airplane, the lives of the Wright Family, and the Wrights’ flying exhibitions in Europe and the United States. Use keyword search “Katharine Wright”.

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Discontinuation of Membership in Ohio Network of American History Research Centers

Posted on July 5, 2024 by specialcollections

Since 1970, Special Collections & Archives at Wright State University Libraries has been a member of the Ohio Network of American History Research Centers, a system of cultural institutions around the state charged with providing for the preservation of historically valuable local government records for their geographic region. Wright State has served in this capacity for the local government records of 11 counties in central southwestern Ohio: Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby Counties.

Due to the large amount of space and resources required to store and care for these records, and due to the limited use that the bulk of the records receive on our campus, we have regretfully made the decision to withdraw from membership in the ONAHRC.

In accordance with the ONAHRC agreement, Wright State University Libraries provided written notice of this decision to the State Archives on June 24, 2024. We are currently working with the State Archives and the individual local government entities to return these records to their care.

We appreciate the years we have been able to be a part of the ONAHRC and provide access to these records to researchers from all parts of the Miami Valley of Ohio, and beyond. We hope this move will ensure that the records continue to be used by the widest audience possible.

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Archives Closed July 15-26, 2024

Posted on June 14, 2024 by specialcollections

Special Collections & Archives will be closed from Monday, July 15, 2024, through Friday, July 26, 2024, as we undertake some massive collections management projects.

During the closure, in addition to our reading room being closed to researchers and visitors, we will also defer responding to reference questions and research requests until we reopen again.

Beginning the week of July 29, we will start responding to all reference and research requests received from July 13 onward, in the order in which they were received. As a result, researchers will experience longer than usual wait times to receive a reply.

We apologize for any inconvenience these service delays may cause, and we appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during this time!

For the most up-to-date listing of our closures and open hours, please check the University Libraries’ Hours calendar, and make sure to look at the line for Special Collections & Archives.

While the office may be closed, the web site, blog, collection guides, and digital collections on CORE Scholar are always available.

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