The Wright Brothers Collection, housed in Special Collections and Archives in the Wright State University Libraries, includes priceless documents and artifacts detailing the lives and work of Wilbur and Orville Wright, for whom Wright State is named.
The collection features the Wrights’ own technical and personal library, as well as family papers such as letters, diaries, financial records, and genealogical files. It also includes awards, certificates, medals, albums, recordings, and technical drawings. Perhaps the most valuable pieces in the collection are the thousands of photographs documenting the invention of the airplane and the lives of the Wright family.
The Wright Brothers Collection was deeded to the university in 1975 by the Wright family. Since that time, numerous pieces have been donated to the collection, making it the most complete collection of Wright brothers material in the world. Here are a few selections from the collection.
Orville Wright report card, 1888
Wright School of Aviation, Huffman Prairie, 1911
Wright Flyer en route to Hunaudieres Race Course, Le Mans, France, 1908
Postcard from Wilbur Wright to his niece, Ivonette Wright, 1907
First controlled powered flight, Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk, December 17, 1903
Orville Wright driver’s license, 1948.
Wrights receiving Aero Club of America medals, White House, June 1909
Wilbur Wright report card, 1876
Orville Wright identification card, National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, 1942
Wright pilot, Walter Brookins, inspecting flyer, Huffman Prairie, 1910
