Scrapbook on Allen Family Hot Air Balloonists

Item — Box: Multi-Collection Box

Identifier: 056-03

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of one scrapbook including photographs of hot-air balloons in New England, 1885-1890, and clippings mostly regarding flights of the balloonist family lead by James Allen.

Dates

1874 - 1905

Conditions Governing Access

This item is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

PPL does not claim copyright to this collection. Users of this item are responsible for determining copyright restrictions.

Biographical / Historical

James Allen (1824-1897) was born in Barrington, Rhode Island and began ballooning in the 1850s. James was a well known “aeronaut” in his day. He and brother Ezra (1819-1902) served in the Union Army Balloon Corps during the Civil War. After the war, the Allen brothers did many exhibition balloon ascensions. A number of James’ descendants and their spouses -- including sons James K. (1852-1920), Ezra S. (1854-1918) and his wife Mary F. Penno (1849-1905), and Malvern H. (1869-1955) -- were also balloonists in and around Rhode Island.