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Stinson Family Papers
SDASM.SC.10242
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Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: The Stinson Family Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10242
Physical Description:
1.2 Cubic Feet
The collection contains materials collected by and related to the Stinson family of pilots, including Katherine Stinson, Marjorie
Stinson and Eddie Stinson. The research is from various sources, but mostly compiled by oral historian, Betty E. Mitson. Most
folders include notes, and photocopies of research based on subject title of folder.
This is a one box collection measuring 16.25x12.5x10.5". The collection has been organized at folder level.
This is a one box collection measuring 16.25x12.5x10.5". The collection has been organized at folder level.
Date (bulk): 1910-2000
Abstract: The collection contains materials collected by and related to the Stinson family of pilots, including Katherine Stinson, Marjorie
Stinson and Eddie Stinson. The research is from various sources, but mostly compiled by oral historian, Betty E. Mitson. Most
folders include notes, and photocopies of research based on subject title of folder.
Physical Description: Description: This is a one box collection measuring 16.25x12.5x10.5". The collection has been organized at folder level.
Content notes: The collection contains materials collected by and related to the Stinson family of pilots, including Katherine
Stinson, Marjorie Stinson and Eddie Stinson. The research is from various sources, but mostly compiled by oral historian,
Betty E. Mitson. Most folders include notes, and photocopies of research based on subject title of folder.
Language of Material:
English
.
The collection is open to research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated to the Museum.
The Stinson family were well-known in the field of Aviation, setting records, performing firsts and establishing businesses
within Aviation.
Katherine Stinson, the eldest of four children, was born February 14, 1891 at Fort Payne, Alabama to Edward Stinson Jr., an
electrical engineer, and Emma Beavers Stinson. At age 21, she was the fourth woman in the United States to receive a pilot's
license. Known as the "Flying Schoolgirl", Stinson had an exceptional career in exhibition flying, setting records as the
first woman to perform a loop, the first pilot to fly at night, the first female to fly to Asia, and first female pilot employed
by the US Postal Service. Her passion and skill also influenced her family to become involved in aviation. In 1913, a year
after earning her pilot's license, Katherine and her mother founded the Stinson Aviation Company in Hot Springs, Arkansas,
where the family's home was at the time.
Following in their sisters footsteps, her younger siblings, Marjorie, Jack and Eddie, also had notable flying careers, and
participated in the opening and operation of the Stinson School of Flying in San Antonio Texas. The Stinsons' mother, Emma,
served as business manager, while brother Eddie was the operation's chief mechanic. Nineteen-year-old Marjorie became the
lead flight instructor at Stinson Field.
Eddie Stinson was born in 1893, and earned his FAI certificate in 1915. Joining the family business he was a flight instructor
at the family school and is well known for founding the Detroit-Stinson Aviation Company and manufacturing a line of robust
and diverse aircraft bearing the Stinson name. He died in 1932 after sustaining injuries from an emergency landing, while
demonstrating the Stinson Model R prototype. At the time of his death, he held the record for most experienced pilot in flight
hours, logging more than 16,000 hours.
Marjorie was born July 5, 1895. Also a stunt performer, she was known as the "Flyingschool Marm" having trained more than
100 student pilots. After continuing her career as a stunt pilot for another decade, Marjorie retired from flying in 1928
to become a draftsman for the United States Navy Aeronautical Division in Washington, D.C. She died in 1975, having spending
the rest of her life researching the history of aviation.
The youngest brother Jack Stinson helped Edward found the Stinson Aircraft Company in Dayton, Ohio, conducted his own flying
school and became an aeronautical engineer.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Stinson Aircraft Company
Stinson Airport
Stinson, Katherine
Stinson, Eddie
Stinson, Marorie