Huffman Prairie Aviation History Society Records

The Huffman Prairie Aviation History Society began as the Huffman Prairie Chapter of the American Aviation Historical Society, formed in 1990 by several individuals from the Dayton, Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area to share experiences and knowledge of aviation history. The national organization of American Aviation Historical Society was founded in 1956 as a non-profit educational organization. The primary objective of the organization is the preservation and dissemination of the rich heritage of American aviation.

Since its inception, the Huffman Prairie group has maintained close ties and a mutually beneficial relationship with the Special Collections and Archives Department at Wright State University. The organization supports the mission of the Archives by volunteering to organize and identify aircraft in aviation collections, and by donating archival materials and aviation books to enrich holdings in the archives. In appreciation, the Archives' staff hosts the monthly chapter meetings on the first Monday of each month and makes arrangements for speakers at the meetings. Until 2010, the meetings were held in the University's Paul Laurence Dunbar Library. Due to the increased size of the group, the meetings were moved to the National Park Service's Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center in July of 2010. On occasion the group may take a field trip in place of the meeting. In addition, the Archives mails a monthly meeting announcement, which over time has included a newsletter, list of upcoming speakers, and a newsletter by Stuart Faber titled "Hangar Flying", which highlights aviation items of interest. The meetings begin with opening remarks and sharing of news items and announcements, followed by an informational program on an aviation-related topic given by a chapter member or guest presenter. From 2004-2010, speaker presentations were videotaped, and the tapes are included in this collection. The 2005 membership list includes more than 100 names, however attendance at the meetings range on average between 20-45.

It is important to note that during 2006 the chapter voted to sever the association with AAHS, in part to demands of the national organization concerning dues, officers, and meeting organization. The group voted to rename themselves the Huffman Prairie Aviation History Society.