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Frank Kelsey photograph collection

 Collection
Identifier: UUS_P0537

Scope and Contents

The Frank Kelsey collection consists of images related to the history of aviation in Utah. Included are images of Kelsey's years of designing, building, and flying gliders, publicity photos for the Kemp-Kelsey Airservice (and later the Ellis-Kelsey Airservice at the Salt Lake Municipal Airport), airplanes (especially Beechcraft) from the 1930s-1970s, the University of Utah Glider club, the Scenic Center Glider Association, cloud seeding, and wind and hail damage to airplanes. Also included are images that Kelsey collected documenting the history of aviation in Utah including early aviators and views of Salt Lake City and Midvale airports. Perhaps the most notable photographs are those of Eugene Ely in 1911 at the first Utah flying meet at Barrington Airpark.

Dates

  • Creation: 1911-1987

Language of Materials

Material in English

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Frank Kelsey photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Photograph Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Biographical Note

Frank Kelsey (1912-1991) was a pioneer Utah aviator who owned serveral aviation service companies in Utah and who was elected into the United States Soaring Hall of Fame in 1982. As a young man Kelsey built several gliders including a Bowlus Albatross. Kelsey started the Salt Lake Glider Club in about 1932. In 1937 he set a state soaring record of over two hours. During this time Kelsey worked in a Drugstore, bought and sold motorcyles, and worked for Standard Oil Company. In 1935 he married Mae Feinauer. Kelsey began working in aviation in 1935, working as a mechanic for National Parks Airways and later Western Air Express. In 1939 he began working for Hawley Bowlus in San Fernando, California. After Pearl Harbor, Bowlus began constructing military gliders. After Bowlus closed in 1943 Kelsey moved to Fresno to work for Timm-Larson Aircraft. In 1945 he formally recieved a pilot's license. In 1947 he moved back to Utah, going into business with Marc Kemp in the Midvale Flying Service in West Jordan, reeparing and servicing planes and giving flying lessons. Around 1950 Kemp and Kelsey moved to the Salt Lake City airport renaming their business, the Kemp and Kelsey Airservice. They also sold Beachcraft airplances. In 1952 Kelsey obtained his commercial pilot license and he started making charter flights.

Extent

9 Boxes (4.5 linear feet)

Abstract

The Frank Kelsey collection consists of 2,532 images related to the history of aviation in Utah. Included are images of Kelsey's years of designing, building, and flying gliders, publicity photos for the Kemp-Kelsey Airservice (and later the Ellis-Kelsey Airservice at the Salt Lake Municipal Airport), airplanes (especially Beechcraft) from the 1930s-1970s, the University of Utah Glider club, cloud seeding, and wind and hail damage to airplanes. Also included are images that Kelsey collected documenting the history of pilots, planes, and airports in Utah.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Frank Kelsey's son, James Kelsey.

Related Materials

Frank Kelsey manuscript collection, MSS 467.

Processing Information

Processed in March of 2014

Title
Guide to the Frank Kelsy photograph collection, 1911-1987
Author
Finding aid/Register created by Ashley Benjamin and Risha Price
Date
©2016
Description rules
Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd Edition)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid encoded in English

Revision Statements

  • 2009: Template information was updated to reflect Archives West best practice guidelines.

Repository Details

Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)