Collection ID:

Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Charles M. (Morgan) Olmsted, 1881-1948.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and Content:

Personal and business correspondence of Charles M. Olmsted, 1909- 1940, including letters from his children and correspondence of C.M.O. Physical Laboratory, Inc. and the W.P.A. Federal Writers' Project; diary, [1934?]; sketches and blueprints for aerodynamic and solar research, ca. 1921-1935; papers from the record book of the University of Buffalo Physical Science Club, 1923-1929; and bills, receipts, checkbooks, tax records, insurance policies, leases of property owned by Charles Olmsted, and city court papers. Also, correspondence of Mrs. Charles M. Olmsted (Elizabeth Hamlin Macniel), mostly from her children; and ca. 13 letters of the Hamlin and Macniel families, 1839-1881, including letters to D.R. Hamlin.

Biographical / Historical:

Charles Morgan Olmsted was born in Le Roy, N.Y., on January 19, 1881, the son of John B. Olmsted (a former Public Service Commissioner) and Clara Morgan Olmsted. He attended Old Central High School in Buffalo and later Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H. in preparation for his enrollment at Harvard. From Harvard he received the Bachelor’s degree in 1903 and the M.A. in 1904. He attended the University of Göttingen for a while before earning his Ph.D. degree in astrophysics from the University of Bonn in 1906. From 1906 to 1909 Olmsted was a research assistant at the Mt. Wilson Observatory in California, where he did research in astrophysics and spectroscopics, prepared several scientific papers for publication, and earned notoriety within the scientific community for his discovery of the compound Calcium Hydride in the sun. Olmsted returned to Buffalo in 1910 and founded C.M.O. Physical Laboratory, Inc., located at Fourth and Carolina Sts. There he was engaged in aerodynamic research, designing airplane propellers and other airplane parts. Samples of his propeller and other aerodynamic developments have been on display at the Smithsonian Institution. During World War I, Dr. Olmsted served as a consultant to the Naval Advisory Board. Olmsted’s propellers were built for the first Navy airplanes to fly the Atlantic. In 1910 he designed a monoplane with two original features: retractable landing gear and laminated wood construction for the wings. This monoplane was exhibited at the Le Roy Historical Society. From 1932 to 1935 Olmsted was a research associate at the University of Buffalo, where he also served as President of the Physical Science Club. In 1937 Charles M. Olmsted was appointed district supervisor of the W.P.A. Federal Writers’ Project. Olmsted also owned office buildings and other properties in downtown Buffalo, including the Franklin-Huron Building and other buildings along Huron Street. With his wife, Elizabeth Hamlin Macniel Olmsted, Charles Olmsted had the following children: Dugald Macniel (b. ca. 1904); John Bartow, 2nd (b. 1905); Elizabeth A. (b. 1910; later Mrs. Preston Smith Jr.); Charlice (Chassie) (b. ca. 1912; later Mrs. Gilbert Sayward); Huntington (b. ca. 1916). The three Sons attended Harvard University; the two daughters attended Smith College.

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

Researchers wishing to access this collection must apply for a Scholar Pass and present valid photo ID upon arrival to the library.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

Written permission required to reproduce and/or publish. Information on use and fees may be obtained from the Director of Library and Archives.

LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
1 Museum Court
Bufalo, NY 14216, United States
CONTACT:
716-873-9644 ex
library@buffalohistory.org