F. Gillum Cromer Photographs (SC-152)

The collection consists of an envelope entitled “Miami Valley Chautauqua, A Vacation Worth While, July 16 to August 1, 1910,” along with 4 original negatives, and 8 original 2 ½” x 4” prints of a Wright Model A Flyer in flight at Huffman Prairie in early 1910. When accessioned, the photographs and negatives were housed in the envelope. Printed on the outside of the envelope are photographs of the Miami Valley Chautauqua camp.

In May 1910, the Wright Brothers established the Wright Company School of Aviation at Huffman Prairie. It was also during this period that the Wrights began training pilots for the Wright Company Exhibition Team at Huffman Prairie. The photographs likely document this training. The 8 original photographs show a Wright Model A Flyer in flight and a second Flyer sitting on the ground. The photographs are virtually all the same. Of the four negatives, three provide a side view of a Wright Model A Flyer in a low flight over Huffman Prairie with possibly one of the Wright Brothers observing. The fourth negative shows a Wright Model A Flyer taking off from the launch rail.

Researchers will note that the negatives do not match any of the original prints. Small prints (2 ½” x 4 ½”) were made of the negatives and are included in the collection. Also included in the collection are 5” x 7” prints made from digital scans of all photographs in the collection. The disk is included in the collection.