Skip to main content Smithsonian Institution

Additional Online Media

Catalog Data

Creator:
Bowman, Les (Leslie)  Search this
Bowman, Martie (Marguerite)  Search this
Bowman, Larnie  Search this
Names:
Kinner Airplane and Motor Co.  Search this
National Air Race Association  Search this
Ninety-Nines (Organization)  Search this
Bowman, Larnie  Search this
Bowman, Les (Leslie)  Search this
Bowman, Martie (Marguerite)  Search this
Extent:
1.28 Cubic feet (1 records center box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Correspondence
Photographs
Publications
Maps
Scrapbooks
Date:
1923-1987
bulk 1923-1950
Summary:
The Bowman Family Papers contain 1.28 cubic feet of material related to the aviation careers of Leslie (Les), Marguerite (Martie), and Larnie Bowman.
Scope and Contents:
The Bowman Family Papers contain: log books, licenses, and membership cards for Marguerite, Larnie, and Leslie Bowman; loose materials including maps, newspaper clippings from the 1930s, 1972 and 1985; and miscellaneous photographs, including two of Charles Lindbergh. Three scrapbooks at the end of the collection (1923-1931, 1932-1935, 1936-1987) include photographs (some autographed), personal and business correspondence, and newspaper clippings.
Arrangement:
The Bowman Family Papers are arranged by content type.
Biographical / Historical:
Leslie (Les) and Marguerite (Martie) Bowman were married in October 1919 and had both learned to fly by 1925. Les, a mechanic, worked as an engineer and salesman for the Kinner Engine and Aircraft Company and was involved in both the production and testing of airplanes. Martie was a charter member of both the Ninety-Nines, a women pilots' association, and the National Air Race Association. She set women's speed records and swept three women's racing events on one day in 1938. Les and Martie both tried wing walking, as did their daughter, Larnie, at the age of eight. Larnie learned to fly by the time she was twelve. During World War II, the Bowmans ran one of five civilian schools for the training of Navy fighter pilots. Les and Martie retired from aviation after the conclusion of the war.
Provenance:
Mrs. M. Lorraine Allen, gift, 1991, NASM.1991.0042
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Topic:
Flight training  Search this
Aeronautics -- Exhibitions  Search this
Aeronautics  Search this
Periodicals  Search this
Works of art  Search this
Genre/Form:
Correspondence
Photographs
Publications
Maps
Scrapbooks
Citation:
Bowman Family Papers, Acc. NASM.1991.0042, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
NASM.1991.0042
See more items in:
Bowman Family Papers
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2bc9ae21f-bd2b-4fba-aaf4-bdb28c7ea011
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nasm-1991-0042