Wisconsin Aviation HAll of Fame to Preserve Kohn Aviation Photography Collection

The Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame has embarked on an ambitious project to preserve the invaluable Leo J. Kohn Aviation Photography Collection. The fundraising campaign aims to digitize over 34,000 negatives captured by the late Leo J. Kohn, a renowned aviation photographer from Brookfield, Wisconsin, whose life's work documented pivotal moments and developments in aviation history.

This extensive collection, entrusted to the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame by Kohn's family, holds significant historical importance, chronicling decades of aviation advancements. The initiative seeks to create an online archive that will provide public access to these high-quality digital reproductions. Each image will be meticulously cataloged and tagged with detailed metadata, including information on the date, location, aircraft type, color scheme, and engine details, making it searchable and more accessible to enthusiasts, historians, and researchers across the globe.

Dan Silvers, the Historic Image Preservation Chair of the WAHF, expressed excitement about the project, highlighting its potential to not only preserve these historical images but also make them widely available to the public. The campaign has set a goal of $65,000 to cover all necessary expenses, including the digitization process, the development of a searchable website, educational resources, and museum exhibits that celebrate the collection's cultural and historical significance.

With 31 percent of the needed funds already secured thanks to the contributions of several generous donors, the WAHF is reaching out to the broader aviation community and supporters of the arts to help bring this project to fruition. This effort not only honors Leo Kohn's legacy but also ensures that future generations can appreciate and learn from these visual records of aviation history.

FMI: www.WAHF.org