Overview of the Collection
The Onondaga Historical Association
321 Montgomery Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
The Onondaga Historical Association
Franklin Automobile Collection
1859 - 2011
7 cubic feet (19 boxes)
The Franklin Automobile Collection at OHA provides documentary evidence of the history, accomplishments, and lifestyle of Herbert H. Franklin and the history, manufacturing, and marketing of the Franklin Automobile in Syracuse, New York.
## Give the collection a unique ID number and put it both here and in the "identifier" attribute
English
Biographical History
Misson Statement: The Onondaga Historical Association Museum and Research Center exists to inspire people's understanding that the history we share as a community is the foundation for our future together. Our purpose is to encourage a diverse audience from the neighborhoods of Syracuse and the communities of Onondaga County to explore, appreciate and utilize their past. To do so, we offer engaging exhibits and programs, pursue partnerships with other cultural organizations and community groups, and develop and care for a definitive collection related to local history. We operate a museum and research center in Syracuse, New York and are committed to ensuring the vitality of our historic urban location.
About OHA: OHA operates a 13,000 square foot museum and a 5,000 square foot archive and research center. A variety of permanent and temporary exhibits are displayed year round, including examples of local sports, industries, famous figures, and the relationship of the city to important historic events or activities such as the Underground Railroad. Over 75,000 artifacts are stored and displayed along with thousands of documents, photographs, maps, books, and newspapers which are available in the research center. The Association itself is housed in one of Syracuse's historic buildings at 321 Montgomery Street, which was erected in 1906 and formerly housed the New York Telephone Company.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The Franklin Automobile Collection is an aggregation of various OHA collections, as follows: OHA 5888, 6020, 6189, 6236, 6265, 6326, 6426, 6433, 6516, 6619, 6732, 7154, 7446,7453, 7507, 7533, 7866, 8401, 8558, 8871, 1995.104.1/.2, 1997.63.6/.7, 2001.1.2., which contains materials related to the personal life of Herbert H. Franklin and his business interests prior to the automobile, such as family history, early career, his die casting business, and family photographs; the history of the Franklin Automobile, its manufacturing and marketing; photographs of Charles Lindbergh; and the newsletters 'The Franklin News," "Franklin Service Station," "Air Cooled News," "Franklin Trek."
Arrangement of the Collection
Boxes 1-7 are primarily materials related to the personal life of Herbert H. Franklin and his business interests prior to the automobile, such as family history, early career, his die casting business, and family photographs.
Boxes 8-14 are the History of the Franklin Auto, Its Manufacturing and Marketing.
Box 15 contains photographs of Charles Lindbergh.
Boxes 16-17 contains several dozen editions of "The Franklin News." Boxes 18-19 contain newsletters: Franklin Service Station, Air Cooled News, Franklin Trek.
A note on vocabulary: the term 'collection' is used to represent several different levels of arrangement at OHA. Thus, the word collection can represent the total holdings of OHA, a subset of those holdings, and individual folders or boxes.
NOTE: Items identified as from accession number OHA 6265 are from the estate of H. H. Franklin. These are items that he retained until his death in 1956.
Separated Material
Materials from the archives and research center may be used for displays and exhibits within the museum. This occurs on a rolling basis and will not always be noted. Please refer to OHA staff in the event of missing materials.
Other Related Finding Aids
Three other documents exist which may be of use to researchers: First, the written finding aid duplicates the information available here in an offline format. Second, the Collection Inventory provides a folder and item level inventory of the archives and a large portion of the vertical files. Finally, the Names List contains all of the individual, organization, event, and location names from the Collection Inventory and may be used as a fast guide to determining whether materials on topics of interest are available.
Subject and Genre Headings
Franklin, Herbert H.
Lindbergh, Charles
H.H. Franklin Manufacturing Company
The Franklin News
Franklin Service Station
Air Cooled News
Franklin Trek
Industry - Automotive - H.H. Franklin
Industry - Automotive - H.H. Franklin Club
Industry - Automotive - H.H. Franklin Manufacturing Company
Transportation - Automotive - Vehicles - Franklin - Miscellaneous
Transportation - Automotive - Vehicles - Franklin - Automobile Race 1906
Transportation - Automotive - Vehicles - Franklin - Color Slides
Transportation - Automotive - Vehicles - Franklin - HHF Trek 1957
Transportation - Automotive - Vehicles - Franklin - Late Models
Transportation - Automotive - Vehicles - Franklin - Smith, Lindsley and Arnold (photographers)
New York (State) - Onondaga County
New York (State) - Syracuse
Access Restrictions
Access to OHA materials in the archive and research center is available for a moderate usage fee. Alternatively, purchasing a membership with OHA will grant full access for a period of one year. Access is also limited to the business hours of OHA.
Certain items are fragile, extremely rare, or dangerous. These items may not be handled except by an OHA staff member.
Use Restrictions
Availability of duplication varies depending on the material being duplicated. Most items can be photocopied, but in the case of more delicate items or high quality photographic duplications the item must be scanned and specially printed by a staff member. These services are also subject to an additional fee.
Use of all OHA materials must adhere to applicable copyright restrictions.
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
The Franklin Automobile Collection at Onondaga Historical Association.
Acquisition Information
All OHA materials are acquired by donation.
Inventory
Boxes 1 through 7 primarily OHA 6265
26 11x14 photographs by H.H. Franklin, scenes of Italy and Central NY
Undated
1
2 5X10 framed photos of H.H. Franklin playing golf
Undated
1
1 scrapbook w/ clippings from the "Coxsackie News"
1889
1
2 5x7 mounted photos of "Maple Grove Farm" near Center Lisle, NY, the Franklin Family farm where H.H. grew up
Undated
1
8x10 mounted photos of Franklin and Beadle office and the Coxsackie News Building, both in Coxsackie, NY, plus copy prints.
c. 1890
1
3 Documents relating to early business acting of H.H. Franklin
1894-1898
1
3 Misc. small photos of CNY scenes w/ notations on back relating to the H.H. Franklin's Die Casting business.
1890
1
Index to "The Coxsackie News" w/ notations on activities of the Franklin Family
1886-1893
1
1 mounted "Souvenir" photo from Atlantic City w/ H.H. Franklin in photo cartoon of an auto.
Undated
1
6 misc. Franklin Family Photographs (marked OHA 7533,OHA 7507)
Undated
1
2 photographs of Center Lisle, NY– Public School and Lisle Free Library
Undated
1
161 Folding envelopes of 35 mm negative film strips (all but nine envelopes safety film). Personal photos by H.H. Franklin (approximately 5000 images; many of his travels.
1939-1952
2
64 Containers of 35-mm negative film (nitrate) rolls, primarily personal photos taken by H.H. Franklin. Several exposed during trips to Europe. (Approximately 2,000 images).
c. 1938-1952
3 and 4
7 Pages of pasted newspaper clippings misc. prose and thoughts written by H.H. Franklin and related correspondents with the Syracuse Courier.
1893-1894
51
2 small tickets with notation on reverse sides by H.H. Franklin that they were his first and second printing jobs.
1886
52
Small postcard–size map of American Express lines across U.S.
c. 1877
52
Advertising flyer for H. H. Franklin's printing business in Coxsackie
1887
52
Receipt for the Coxsackie News signed by H.H. Franklin
1889
52
Organizational pamphlet –"The Coxsackie Board of Trade"
1889
52
Resolution of "The Coxsackie Board of Trade"
1889
52
7 bound volumes of "The Common School" (a newspaper for teachers) published H.H. Franklin in Coxsackie.
1888
53
14 Misc. deeds involving Franklin Family parcels
1859-1919
54
5 Misc. awards and certificates of membership for H.H. Franklin
1911-1940
55
1 Souvenir program for Queen of Romania dinner in New York City
1926
55
9 Misc. personal papers /correspondence
Undated and 1922
56
Newspaper and Die Casting Business Material -- 5 Business cards, 1 Business envelope
Undated
57
Newspaper and Die Casting Business Material -- 3 copies of photos of Franklin Die Casting plant in Syracuse
Undated
57
Newspaper and Die Casting Business Material -- Handwritten copy of assignment of Underwood's invention to H.H. Franklin, by Franklin, with chronology of related events.
1893
57
Newspaper and Die Casting Business Material -- Booklet, "Franklin Die Casting Castings and the Process"
Undated
57
Newspaper and Die Casting Business Material -- Photocopy of Die Casting US Patent
1897
57
Newspaper and Die Casting Business Material -- Hudson River steamship schedule card
Undated
57
2 small notebooks related to Die Casting business
Undated
58
H.H. Franklin's personal diaries for years: 1878, 1879, 1881, 1881(2 books) 1882, 1883, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1892, 1893, 1895(2 books) and 1896 (15 volumes).
1878-1879, 1881-1883, 1887-1889, 1892-1893, 1895
6
H.H. Franklin notebook with 1901-1904 entries on start of the Franklin automobile company
1901-1904
6
OHA 6265 Account Book (personal financial business of H.H. Franklin noting expenses, etc.) 1904-1914, incomplete.
1904-1914
7
Boxes 8 to 14 - History of the Franklin Auto, Its Manufacturing and Marketing
OHA 6265 14 Folders of Franklin Co. photographs, sales literature, catalogs, etc.
1898-1914
8
6 Photo images 1908 models.
1908
81
14 Photo images of mechanical drawings for companies of 1908 models.
1908
82
33 Photographs of Franklins in informal, unknown settings c. 1908-1912.
c. 1908-1912
83
1 Photograph of John Wilkinson in his prototype air –cooled car c. 1898.
c. 1898
83
1 Photograph of Franklin Factory
c. 1905
84
1 Photo postcard of factory
c. 1908
84
1 Photograph of Franklin Employee outing.
c. 1910
85
1 Photo of Chicago to New York Run.
c. 1908
85
1 Franklin car catalog.
1907
86
1 Franklin commercial car catalog.
1907
86
2 Franklin car catalogs .
1908-1909
87
1 Franklin Commercial car catalog .
1911
88
1 Franklin car catalog.
1913
89
1 Franklin car catalog Series six-thirty.
c. 1914
810
20 Catalog pictures of various 1910 Model H. Franklin cars .
1910
811
11 Folders of Franklin Company literature, business profiles, promotional and sales literature.
1898-1914
9
10 Pieces of literature for dealers .
1915
91
1 Franklin dealer Proposition .
c. 1910
92
10 Dealer Bulletins (1911-1912) (incomplete).
1911-1912
93
2 letters to Franklin dealers.
1915
93
1 Misc. correspondence to dealers(incomplete).
1912
93
3 Branch bulletins.
1911
93
3 Franklin sales grams
1915
94
1 Service dept Bulletin (#82 Nov. 1915).
Nov. 1915
94
15 Pieces of promotional literature for Franklin car quality and durability.
1904-1910
95
8 Pieces of promotional literature.
1911-1930
96
7 pieces of literature relating to Franklin Auto Company history, sales conferences, by laws, and misc. correspondence.
1893-1933
97
1 Color rendering of Franklin factory complex .
Undated
98
2 partnership agreements H.H. Franklin, J Wilkinson and G. Stillwell (1906) and H.H. Franklin and A.T. Brown (1925).
1906, 1925
99
9 Booklets, flyers and pamphlets and clippings about the Franklin auto.
1912-1952
910
1 Framed envelope addressed to Franklin from around world flight of Great Zeppelin.
1929
911
13 folders with Franklin auto catalogs, literature and advertising pieces - 11 folders with no donor numbers and 2 folders with donor numbers.
Undated
10
1909 catalog.
1909
101
1910 catalog.
1910
102
1911 catalog.
1911
103
6 Pieces of misc. promotional lit.
c.1914-1923
104
1 Service dept Bulletin (#82 Nov. 1915).
Nov. 1915
104
1 80 Page booklet "The Franklin Car".
c. 1917
105
1929 catalog.
1929
106
1)Franklin car care manual (series 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8).
Undate
107
44 Magazine ads for Franklin.
1903-1909
108
58 Magazine ads for Franklin.
1906-1910
109
76 Magazine ads for Franklin.
1910-1920
1010
7 Magazine ads for Franklin.
1923-1929
1011
1 1930 Franklin color catalog (2001.1.2).
1930
1012
2 Pamphlets: Owners and Repairman manuals for Franklin series 9 c. 1919 (1995.104.1/.2).
c. 1919
1013
Includes Misc. Materials donated by John Burns, former Franklin Test Driver.
Undated
11
7 original photographs of Franklin Company (OHA 6020).
1908-1929
111
6 Original photographs of Franklin autos and parts.
1908-1929
112
1 copy photo of John Wilkinson in his 1901 prototype.
1901
113
1 Franklin car technical brochure.
1926
113
Notebook history of H.H. Franklin Manufacturing Co. with index OHA 6236).
1892-1911
114
3 photographs of employees.
1906-1908
115
6 copies of two different promotional booklets.
Undated
116
1 promotional flyer.
1915
116
1 Photograph of Company band at Long Branch.
1918
117
1 photograph of 1904 race.
1904
117
25 issues of the Owners Bulletin from #634 June 1916 through #658 October 1922.
1916-1922
118
2 letters from 1916. Franklin Co. to George Jackson of Warren, PA commenting on a trip and effects of friction on an auto.
1916
118
1 Franklin Manufacturing Co. stock prospectus.
February 1920
118
OHA 8401 - 6 Stock certificates for Franklin Automobile Co.
1910-1934
121
5 Stock Certificates for H.H. Franklin Mfg. co. Includes OHA 6326/6189/6516).
1919 –1929
122
OHA 8558 2 booklets : "The Holmes Car" (1919) and "The Franklin Car" (1978).
1919 and 1978
123
OHA 7154 - 1 Booklet: "Tales from the Business of Life" By Carl T. Doman (Franklin engineer).
1963
124
OHA 6433 - 1 Letter and accompanying photo of auto from Franklin Sales Dept.
1908
125
OHA 6426 - 2 Letters and flyer from Franklin Co. re Sales prevention.
1906
126
OHA 6619 - 24 Reproduction copies of Franklin Advertising.
1916-1919
127
3 Misc. letters from Franklin Co.
1907-1924
128
OHA 7446 - 1 Rolled photograph of Franklin co. clambake (19x) .
Undated
129
1 Typed manuscript "This is Franklin: A History of the Franklin Engine Co." c1969, covering its first 69 years.
1969
1210
Bankruptcy Inventory of the H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Co.
1969
1211
Bound Volume of over 500 pages of carbon copy letters on tissue paper from H. H. Franklin to various correspondents, Sept. 1900 to Jan. 1903, many dealing with the initial establishment and financing of his automobile manufacturing business. Includes alphabetical index of his correspondents.
1900-1903
12
94 Post card photos of the Franklin Factory interior: Machinery, assembly lines, work rooms, etc. (OHA 7453).
1921-1923
13
63 Snapshots of Franklin cars in informal family settings in orig. box from Edward Landmichl, Jr. of Chicago, Illinois.
1920-1956
13
Lucchesi donation (2001.1.3) Folder 1-5.
1904-1931
14
4 Photographs of Franklin cars incl. "Pirate" model.
1922-1930
141
2 Bulletins.
1923 and 1931
142
7 Promotional and Technical booklets.
1904-c.1930
143
8 Color promotional sales prints from paintings (16"w x 11"h).
1916
144
2 Promotional newspapers documenting run for 1914 cooling record and 1915-gas efficiency run.
1914-1915
145
3 magazine ads for Franklin.
1917-1928
146
9 Color promotional sales prints from paintings (16"w x 11"h).
1916
147
Boxes 15 to 19 - Photographs of Charles Lindberg and various Newsletters relating to the Franklin Automobile.
OHA 6265 - 1 Framed candid photograph of Charles Lindbergh exiting a Franklin Auto into a crowd of well-wishers in Great Britain following his 1927 flight. The photograph is autographed by Lindbergh and would seem to have been kept by H. H. Franklin.
1927
15
OHA 6265 - 1 Photograph (removed from frame) of Charles Lindbergh, formally posed and standing next to a Franklin automobile in Great Britain following his 1927 trans-Atlantic flight. The photo is signed by Lindbergh and a small swatch of silver-colored canvas is attached, perhaps a fragment of the fabric that covered the Spirit of St. Louis.
1927
15
Several dozen editions of "The Franklin News" – an in-house, illustrated newsletter for employees of the H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Company. Earliest edition is listed as February 1910 as Vol. 1 No. 2. Incomplete series through to December 1923. Originally issued monthly and later twice monthly. (combination of OHA 6265 and OHA 5888).
1910-1923
16
9 editions of "The Franklin News" issued from Jan-May 1924. Publication was suspended with the May 1, 1924 issue.
1924
17
39 extra copies of the 1924 editions of "The Franklin News" (OHA 6732).
1924
17
Newsletters: Franklin Service Station (Nov 1973-June 2010, not complete); Air Cooled News (July 1956-Mar 2010, not complete); Franklin Trek (1970-2004, not complete).
1956-2011
18
Misc. magazines with Franklin Automobile articles.
Undated
18
Air Cooled News continued.
Undated
19