OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — Officials with the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame (WAHF) report a milestone in the digitization of its Leo J. Kohn Aviation Photography Collection.
“This treasure trove of over 30,000 meticulously organized aviation photographs is set to be delivered to a professional digitization company soon, marking a significant step in ensuring these historic images are preserved and made accessible for generations to come,” officials noted in early December 2024.
The collection will be digitized by The Crowley Company, a leader in archival preservation and imaging technologies.
“Known for its work with institutions such as Time-Life, the Library of Congress, and the National Archives, The Crowley Company brings decades of expertise to ensure the highest quality preservation of this irreplaceable collection,” officials noted.
The collection, captured by aviation photographer Leo J. Kohn, showcases many aircraft photographed in Milwaukee and its surrounding areas. However, its impact extends far beyond Wisconsin, offering a window into the history and evolution of aviation, hall of fame officials said.
Thanks to donors, including WAHF members, inductees, interested parties, and business supporters, the organization has raised 70% of its fundraising goal.
“We couldn’t have reached this milestone without the incredible support of our community,” said Dan Silvers, WAHF Board Member and Historic Image Preservation Chair. “Leo’s work captures a vivid narrative of aviation’s growth, and we are excited to take this next step toward sharing it with the world.”
As the collection heads for digitization, WAHF is preparing to unveil new ways for the public to engage with Leo’s work, including an online, searchable archive and upcoming exhibits.
For more information: WAHF.org
Smithsonian offered a laser disc (remember them?) of about 30,000 aircraft photos. I had one, but could never find a laser disc player that would do stills, all the players were for movies. Smithsonian *probably* has these photos in another format (digitized?) but I have not been able to locate them. Great historical resource but hard to find.