University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Kaminski, John G., 1893-1960.

Papers, 1912-1960.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 146

1.2 cubic ft. (1 archives box, 1 oversize box, and 6 oversize folders)

ABSTRACT: Papers of a Polish American aviator, stunt pilot, and the first licensed pilot in Wisconsin, mainly documenting the period of his active career, 1912-1919. Includes correspondence and contracts with the Curtiss Exhibition Company concerning exhibition flights; and broadsides, newsclippings, and numerous photographs and newsclippings documenting his flights. The photographs are mostly of Kaminski and his Curtiss Model D pusher aircraft "Sweetheart," taken between 1912-1914 at public exhibitions or flight training schools.

Also includes some photos of Kaminski's crash at the Milwaukee Yacht Club in June 1915 and at Tomahawk, Wisconsin on 4 July 1914; and of his aircraft and fellow pilots in the 7th Aero Squadron stationed in Panama during World War I. Collection also contains correspondence, newsclippings, and interviews concerning Kaminski's participation in events marking the fiftieth anniversary of powered flight in 1953.

Collection also includes memorabilia, such as Kaminski's flying hood and the pennant which hung on his plane. The period 1920-1950 is almost completely undocumented in the collection.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

SCOPE AND CONTENT: Papers of the first Polish American aviator and the first licensed pilot in Wisconsin, a stunt flyer whose career spanned from 1912-1919 until he was grounded by deteriorating eyesight. The period 1920-1950 is almost completely undocumented in the collection. Includes correspondence and contracts with the Curtis Exhibition Company, for whom Kaminski worked, concerning exhibition flights; and broadsides, newsclippings, and numerous photographs documenting his flights.

Most of the collection was originally kept together in Kaminski's scrapbooks, which were in very poor physical condition. The scrapbooks were photocopied, and documents and photographs were removed. The scrapbooks were disposed of after copying. Each photograph was sequentially numbered, as was the original location in the photocopied scrapbooks. The photographs were arranged by their sequential number. The collection also contains a photograph file that was not part of the scrapbooks. The photographs taken at a particular event were normally kept together in the scrapbooks, but they were sometimes scattered and in no logical order. Many of the photographs were not identified, but most can be recognized by using Kaminski's available notes on the back of pictures and looking at newsclippings in the photocopied scrapbooks.

The photographs are mostly of Kaminski and his Curtiss Model D pusher aircraft "Sweetheart," taken between 1912-1914 at public exhibitions, especially at Tomahawk, Wisconsin and High Point, North Carolina. Other photographs include students and planes at the Milwaukee School and College of Aviation and the Silver Lake Aviation School in Cuyahoga, Ohio.

There are some photos of Kaminski's crash at the Milwaukee Yacht Club in June 1915 and at Tomahawk, Wisconsin on 4 July 1914. Other photographs exist of his aircraft and fellow pilots in the 7th Aero Squadron during World War I, including the aircraft Kaminski flew in the first airmail flight across Panama. The collection also contains correspondence, newsclippings, and photographs concerning Kaminski's participation in events marking the fiftieth anniversary of powered flight in 1953. There is a script and several photos of Kaminski's 25 May 1955 interview on WTMJ TV's "Man Next Door Program," and his transcripts of his interview with George Hardie in September 1955.

The collection also includes some memorabilia, such as Kaminski's goggles, flying hood, and the pennant which hung on his plane.

The advertising posters and pennant are maintained in oversized folders.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Kaminski was the 121st licensed pilot in the world, the first pilot in Wisconsin, and the first known Polish American pilot. He flew exhibition flights for the Curtiss Exhibition Company from 1912-1915, and served in the 7th Aero Squadron, which was based in Panama, during World War I. His eyesight was permanently damaged when he was splashed with gasoline, and was grounded in 1919. Kaminski worked for the Post Office in Milwaukee until his retirement in 1955.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Kaminski, John G., 1893-1960. Papers, 1912-1960. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 146. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. Golda Meir Library. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

ACQUISITION: Mr. George Hardie donated the collection to the Milwaukee Urban Archives in February 1991. The Milwaukee Urban Archives transferred the collection to the Wisconsin Historical Society in June 1992 (accession number M91-244).

PROCESSING: Kyle Krause and Michael Klawitter processed the collection between May and August 1991 at the Milwaukee Urban Archives.

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

Aeronautics--Wisconsin--Accidents--Photographs.
Aeronautics--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--History--Sources.
Air pilots--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--Records and correspondence.
Biplanes--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--Photographs.
Curtiss aircraft--Photographs.
Curtiss Exhibition Company.
Milwaukee (Wis.)--History--Sources.
Polish Americans--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--History.
Stunt flying--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
United States. Army. Aero Squadron. 7th.
World War, 1914-1918--Panama--Aerial operations--Photographs.

MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 146	BOX	FOLDER
Advertising Posters, Tomahawk, Wisconsin, 4 July 1914 [oversize folder 1]
Advertising Posters, Ashland, New York, 4 July 1912 [oversize folder 2]
Advertising Posters, Curtiss-Wright-Beloit Aviators, ca. 1912 [oversize folder 2]
Advertising Posters, Lumberton, North Carolina, 4 July 1913 [oversize folder 2]
Advertising Posters, Curtis Exhibition Co., ca. 1912 [oversize folder 3]
Advertising Posters, Wisconsin Amusement Co., ca. 1912 [oversize folder 3]
Advertising Posters, Riverview Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ca. 1912 [oversize folder 4]
Advertising Posters, Washington, Ohio, ca. 1912 [oversize folder 5]
Artifacts Including Knit Facemask, Goggles, Printing Stamps, Piece of a Propeller, Banner, Royal Order of Jet Jockeys Certificate, 1955, undated	1
Correspondence, 1912-1919, 1951-1956	2	1
Interviews, 1912-1913, 1953,1955	2	2
Legal Documents, 1913-1916	2	3
Newspaper Clippings, 1912-1960	2	4
Pennant, undated [oversize folder 6]
Photographs, 1912-1950, undated	2	5
Programs, 1912-1955	2	6
Scrapbook 1, Documents, 1912-1955, undated	2	8
Scrapbook 1, Photocopy, 1913-1955, undated	2	7
Scrapbook 1, Photographs 1-50, 1912, undated	2	9
Scrapbook 1, Photographs 51-105, 1913, undated	2	10
Scrapbook 2, Documents, 1951-1955, undated	2	12
Scrapbook 2, Photocopy, 1950-1956, undated	2	11
Scrapbook 2, Photographs 1-60, 1911, 1953, undated	2	13