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Zoe Dell Lantis Nutter Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-446

Scope and Content

The Zoe Dell Nutter Collection is a valuable source of information pertaining to Mrs. Nutter's life, accomplishments and contributions to aviation, education, and the arts. It also provides an inside perspective into the marketing and advertising industries of the early to mid-twentieth century, as well as the significance of the World's Fairs to the same time period. The collection is arranged in four series.

Series I, General Information, contains information that documents Zoe Dell's activities and recognition in various communities. There are several areas within the series that have been separated by subject, including Correspondence, Political Material, Newspaper Clippings, Awards and Honors, Event Programs, Publications, and documents concerning her late husband, Ervin J. Nutter. The series highlights her achievements, especially in aviation and her home community, and her communication with political figures and notable community leaders.

Series II, Photographs and Scrapbooks, includes four scrapbooks compiled by Zoe Dell Nutter. The material included is mainly newspaper clippings that feature or mention her or people with whom she has worked. One scrapbook is devoted to early aviation and features articles and publications about the Wright Brothers among other early aviators. The series also consists of four binder boxes and an additional three folders of photos that were taken from non-archival albums and envelopes. The photographs span from 1938 through the early 2000s. They document her career as a dancer, model, Treasure Island Theme Girl, aviation spokesperson, and her life at home and abroad. Several sections relate to her involvement with the NAHF, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Nutter Field and Nutter Park, and the Ohio State University.

Series III, Clubs and Civic Involvement, includes materials gathered from organizations to which Zoe Dell devoted many hours. A large portion of this series pertains to Ford's Theatre, but there is also material relating to KYH and Shikar-Safari, the International Forest of Friendship, the 2003 Century of Flight Committee, the Red Dress Gala, and Treasure Island Museum.

Series IV, Memorabilia, consists of a hat designating the owner as a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), an assortment of napkins from events hosted by the President and Vice President of the United States and the Ohio Governor, a medal from the Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame, three published books, and a plaque commemorating the dedication of the National Aviation Hall of Fame building.

Dates

  • Creation: 1934-2010

Creator

Restrictions on Access

There are no restrictions on accessing materials in this collection.

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions may apply. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Biography of Zoe Dell Lantis Nutter

Zoe Dell Lantis Nutter was born on June 14, 1915. She has been a pilot, dancer, model, theme girl for Treasure Island in San Francisco, spokesperson for Piper Aircraft, World's Fair representative for Standard Oil, and the first woman president of the National Aviation Hall of Fame. In 1939 she was named the "Most Photographed and Publicized Girl in the World." She has served on the boards of several organizations including Ford's Theatre, the 2003 Century of Flight Committee, and the National Aviation Hall of Fame. In 1999, she was named one of the "Top Ten Women Who Inspire" by the Dayton Daily News, and she is featured in Profiles of Ohio Women, 1803-2003. She has also been actively involved with the Republican Party, the Ohio State University, the University of Kentucky, Ford's Theater, the Red Dress Gala, The 99's, the International Forest of Friendship, Living Legends of Aviation, the Treasure Island Museum, and Shikar-Safari International Foundation. Zoe Dell Nutter died in 2020.

Extent

5.9 linear feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The collection consists of the personal papers and photographs of Zoe Dell Lantis Nutter, a resident of Xenia, Ohio. Zoe Dell is recognized for her influence in aviation and in her local community as a pilot and the first woman president of the National Aviation Hall of Fame, as well as for her contributions to several civic organizations. In 1939 she was named "Most Photographed and Publicized Girl in the World," which was mostly attributed to her role as Theme Girl in the 1938 San Francisco Golden Gate International Exposition and Treasure Island.

Statement of Arrangement

The collection is arranged into four series:

  1. Series I: General Information
  2. Series II: Photographs and Scrapbooks
  3. Series III: Clubs and Civic Involvement
  4. Series IV: Memorabilia

Technical Requirements

Five compact discs in the collection require a computer to access the materials stored on them. Three of the discs contain video material of interviews with Zoe Dell and documentary material. The two remaining discs contain digitized photographs.

Acquisition Information

The Zoe Dell Lantis Nutter Papers were donated in two parts in August 2010 and again in April 2011 by Zoe Dell Lantis Nutter.

Related Material

Zoe Dell Nutter papers, 1965-2010: Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections.

SC-212 Ervin J. Nutter Papers

MS-422 Dayton Daily News Top Ten Women of Dayton Collection

MS-177 Amy Johnson Papers

SC-37 Jean Moreo Papers

Processing Information

The majority of the photographs in the collection were moved to archival binder boxes because they were originally housed in non-archival quality albums or envelopes.

Title
Guide to the Zoe Dell Lantis Nutter Papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by Allison Drerup, March 2012
Date
2015
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Wright State University Libraries
Special Collections and Archives
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy
Dayton OH 45435-0001 USA
937-775-2092