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 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.

 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.

 Identifier

NASM.1991.0042

Creator

Bowman, Larnie

Date

1923-1987

bulk 1923-1950

Provenance

Mrs. M. Lorraine Allen, gift, 1991, NASM.1991.0042

Extent

1.28 Cubic feet (1 records center box)

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

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 note

The Bowman Family Papers are arranged by content type.

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.

Restrictions

No restrictions on access

Citation

Bowman Family Papers, Acc. NASM.1991.0042, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Topics

Flight training

Aeronautics -- Exhibitions

Aeronautics

Periodicals

Works of art

Type

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Correspondence

Photographs

Publications

Maps

Scrapbooks