Katharine Wright Haskell Papers (MS-700)

The digital collection consists of letters written by Katharine Wright Haskell ranging from 1922 to 1926. They contain a variety of details from her personal life, from major historical moments to minor details of her daily life and interpersonal connections. Throughout 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 into her life as companion and assistant to her brother Orville, her work on the Oberlin College Board of Trustees, her romantic relationship with Henry, and the many friendships she fostered throughout her life.

These letters were written prior to Katharine's marriage to Henry Haskell. We have chosen to refer to her as Katharine Wright in descriptions to reflect the time in her life when she was writing them.

The Wright State University Archives would like to make a special acknowledgment 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, December 22, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell about his son's article, the subject of extroversion, "Stef" [Vilhjalmur Stefansson], selling the Wright's house on Hawthorn Street, Christmas gifts, and other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, December 11, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell about a book she had recently read, the visit of Louis and Frances Lord, how she fell out of the car driving down to Cincinnati, and mentions 'petting parties', her enjoyment of poker, and discussed several authors she enjoys among other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, December 2, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell reporting on her newly bought impression strip, a mutual friend's article in the Kansas City Star, and ruminating about disappointments in life, touching on some thoughts on religion, and other considerings. She also speaks of an illness that Orville had that caused him to miss a meeting with the Executive Committee of the National Advisory Committee. She invites Henry to a dinner party and discusses other guests that will be in attendance, particularly Agnes and Mary Osborn and her opinions about Ed Howe. She also includes other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, November 25, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell discussing books and articles she has recently read, some thoughts on the relationship of one's character and talents or gifts they may or may not have and other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, November 19, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell expressing sympathy for his anxiety over his aging mother, updates of goings on at Oberlin College and other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, November 11, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell to continue their conversation about widows and further expand upon some of her view of men and women. She also includes travel plans for a Trustees Meeting at Oberlin College and other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, November 6, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell to continue their conversation about widows to include some of her views of men and women and a few updates about her daily life.
Letter, October 31, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell reacting to news he had shared in his previous letter as well as general updates about her daily life.
Letter, October 29, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell to recount the visit of the Arntezenius family, a trip she took to Oberlin College including a game against Dennison University and future travel plans to Oberlin for a Board of Trustees meeting. She also includes a small update about the Wrangell fiasco, their guests for the 1924 Air Races, more commentary about the contemporary political situation and other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, October 10, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell to continue their discussion on people in their contemporary society as well a touching on other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, September 25, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell about finally receiving a book he had sent and summarizes a visit from her friend, Frank McCormick, where they discussed President Coolidge and the Catholic Church. She also discusses her thoughts on the "modern thought" on religion and morals and includes other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, September 20, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell about a book Henry has sent twice that never arrived to her, some of her opinions on President Calvin Coolidge and an article Henry had written about him, the preparations for the upcoming 1924 Air Races, and other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, September 18, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell expressing sympathy for Henry, her return home to Hawthorn Hill and other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, September 12, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell from Lambert Island, Penetang, Ontario. She mentions a book she is still waiting on from Henry, includes updates about her friends, William King, and the McCormicks, and discusses Henry's work and her apprehension of returning home among other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, August 30, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell from Lambert Island, Penetang, Ontario. She writes about a book she is expecting from Henry, other books she has been reading and discussing with him, a published letter by Mrs. Coolidge, updates about friends, and other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, August 18, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell from Lambert Island, Penetang, Ontario. She writes about a letter by Roy Roberts, published in the American Mercury, about President Calvin Coolidge, her opinions about him and other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, August 12, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell from Lambert Island, Penetang, Ontario. She writes about Henry's friend, Colonel Logan, muses about aspects of human nature, talks about happenings during her and Orville's continued stay on Lambert Island and other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, August 4, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell from Lambert Island, Penetang, Ontario. She writes about the remembering the beginning of World War I, a book Henry has started to attempt to get published, her opinion on H. L. Mencken, a bit about her continued stay on Lambert Island and other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, July 29, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell from Lambert Island, Penetang, Ontario. She writes about enjoying an editorial Henry wrote, how her and Orville's trip to Lambert Island is going - particularly the weather, her opinion on ambition among people of "opportunity and ability" and other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, July 22 to 26, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, written over five days - from the 22nd to the 26th, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell from Lambert Island, Penetang, Ontario. She writes about articles and books she has recently read, how her visit to Lambert Island is going, contemporary politics, and a new update on the Wrangell fiasco among other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, July 15, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell mentioning his return home from traveling, lamenting the summer heat, Katharine's own travel plans to the Bay [Lambert Island], her difficulties in choosing wallpaper for a guest room and other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, May 28, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell about the visit of two of her friends, Mella King and Cora Dell. She mentions Henry's talent at giving speeches when inquiring about his Forum speech at Emporia, and then goes on to describe her and Orville's travel plans to reach Oberlin College and then to Ann Arbor so Orville can give a speech at a college there. She also talks about a professor at the college, Edwards, as well as other happenings and interests in her life and other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, April 20, 1924, Katharine Wright to Mon cher ami [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell in French expressing appreciation for flowers he bought her and a letter he sent. She also mentions that she is staying in Washington, D.C. and writes of other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, April 16, 1924, Katharine Wright to Harry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell to talk about books and authors, another update of how "Griff" [Griffith Brewer] is handling the purchasing of British-Wright by Handley-Page, information on "Stef" [Vilhjalmur Stefansson], a mention of Carl Akeley's "The Old Man of Mikeno" among other aspects of her daily life.
Letter, April 3, 1924, Katharine Wright to 'arry [Henry J. Haskell]

Katharine Wright Haskell

In this letter, Katharine Wright writes to Henry Haskell about the extended visit of her friend, Winifred Ryder, as well as a brief visit of Mella and Katharine King. She also discusses some of her duties as a Oberlin College Board of Trustee member, including choosing candidates to received honorary degrees and faculty retention and other aspects of her daily life.