The collection consists of letters written by Katharine Wright Haskell ranging from 1922 to 1928. They contain a variety of details from her personal life, from major historical moments to minor details of her daily life and interpersonal connections. Through her life, Katharine assisted her brothers in their engineering and business ventures, was an activist in the first-wave feminist movement, taught high school, and was an Oberlin College Board of Trustees member.
These letters illustrate her life in her later years, allowing us a glimpse of who she was as a private person. She writes of her thoughts on a variety of topics and her daily life. Among other topics and events we get insight to her life as companion and assistant to her brother Orville, her burgeoning romantic relationship with Henry, and her friendship with explorer Vilhjalmur Stefansson.
Many of these letters were written prior to Katharine's marriage to Henry Haskell. We have chosen to refer to her as Katharine Wright in descriptions up until her marriage to Henry at which point she changed her name to Katharine Wright Haskell.
The Wright Sate University Archives would like to make a special acknowledgement to Lois E. Walker for sharing her transcriptions of these letters.
For more information on this collection, please view the collection finding aid or visit Wright State University Special Collections and Archives.
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Letter, Undated #36, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
This letter is undated, and unattached to any other letter, but is believed to have been written on November 13, 1926. Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell about their wedding and Orville's lack of participation and her anxiety surrounding that.
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Letter, Undated #9, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
This letter is undated, and unattached to any other letter, but is believed to have been written on November 4, 1926. Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell expressing her excitement to going to Kansas City and other aspects of her daily life.
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Letter, Undated #44, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
This letter is undated, and unattached to any other letter, but is believed to have been written on October 30, 1926. Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell about her exhaustion with visitors, the death of Oberlin College President King's son - Harold King, and other aspects of her daily life.
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Letter, Undated #6, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
This letter is undated, and unattached to any other letter, but is believed to have been written on October 28, 1926. Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell mentioning the drive they are putting in, how some of her friends and family are reacting to her relationship with Henry, and details of setting up their house.
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Letter, Undated #10, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
This letter is undated, and unattached to any other letter, but is believed to have been written on October 25, 1926. Katharine Wright writes a short letter to Henry Haskell about her day.
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Letter, Undated #7, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
This letter is undated, and unattached to any other letter, but is believed to have been written on October 24, 1926. Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell telling him of a trip with Lou to Groveport.
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Letter, Undated #5, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
This letter is undated, and unattached to any other letter, but is believed to have been written on October 23, 1926. Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell addressing his stress over his wedding to Katharine and details of the wedding. She reports how well the women in her life are supporting her, and upcoming game, and mentions Mr. Kirkwood's contribution to Kansas City's Charities Chest.
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Letter, Undated #43, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
This letter is undated, and unattached to any other letter, but is believed to have been written on October 22, 1926. Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell to tell him the Lords have vested.
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Letter, Undated #21, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
This letter is undated, and unattached to any other letter, but is believed to have been written on October 17, 1926. Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell expressing her anxiety of Orville's rejection of their marriage and Lorin Wright's reaction as well, reflecting on her place in the family and other aspects of her daily life.
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Letter, Undated #54, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
This letter is undated, and unattached to any other letter, but is believed to have been written on October 16, 1926. Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell commending him for his speech to the Kansas University students, expresses her displeasure at reading anything but Scripture at funerals, and continues to agonize over her broken relationship with Orville and her indecision whether she should go to Kansas City.
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Letter, Undated #53, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
This letter is undated, and unattached to any other letter, but is believed to have been written on October 14, 1926. Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell about her distress for how Orville is reacting to their relationship. She also writes about sending a letter to Henry's brother, updates about friends, and other aspects of her daily life.
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Letter, Undated #8, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
This letter is undated, and unattached to any other letter, but is believed to have been written on October 13, 1926. Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell to gush about her engagement / wedding ring and thank him for the photo he sent. She talks about going wedding dress shopping, and other aspects of their wedding and her daily life.
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Letter, September 29, 1926, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
Katharine Wright pens a love letter to Henry Haskell.
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Letter, September 24, 1926, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell expressing her worry and anxiety surrounding Orville and setting up home in Kansas City.
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Letter, September 19, 1926, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell about her anxiety of telling Orville she will be marrying Henry and moving to Kansas City. She also asks after Henry's son, and mentions other aspects of her daily life.
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Letter, September 18, 1926, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell mentioning Orville's drinking at events, Henry's editorial on a Kipling poem, and a new dress she purchased.
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Letter, Undated #4, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
This letter is undated, and unattached to any other letter, but is believed to have been written on July 29, 1926. Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell from Lambert Island, Ontario. She commends the Kansas City Star for being a "many-sided paper", Henry's career, the weather, and other aspects of her daily life.
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Letter, July 28, 1926, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell from Lambert Island, Ontario. She talks to him about The Star, how she and Orville has spent their day, potentially inviting friends to join them on the island, and other aspects of her daily life.
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Letter, Evening of July 25, 1926, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
Katharine Wright pens a love letter to Henry Haskell from Lambert Island, Ontario.
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Letter, Undated #3, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
This letter is undated, and unattached to any other letter, but is believed to have been written on July 25, 1926. Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell from Lambert Island, Ontario. She tells him about her day, including fishing, swimming, and running into several children she is fond of in addition to other aspects of her daily life.
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Letter, July 23, 1926, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell from Lambert Island, Ontario. She tells him about her plans for the day, the weather, a friend's visit and other aspects of her daily life.
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Letter, July 7-8, 1926, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
In this letter, written over 2 days, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell after her return from Indiana where her and Orville attended her Aunt's funeral. She talks about her family, Henry's coworkers, her anticipation for the trip to The Bay at Penetang, Ontario, and other aspects of her daily life.
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Letter, July 6, 1926, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell about the search for a new president for Oberlin College, finances regarding buying the Kansas City Star, Henry's career at The Star, the death of Katharine's aunt, and other aspects of her daily life.
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Letter, July 5, 1926, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell about the Independence Day parade, Orville's desire to create a toaster he can take with them to the Bay, and her anticipation for the travel up to Ontario, as well as other aspects of her daily life.
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Letter, July 2, 1926, Katharine Wright to Henry J. Haskell
Katharine Wright Haskell
In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell addressing some personal drama happening with Henry involving another woman and the Fricks and talked about some financial situations.
