Thomas E. Walsh papers

Collection

Identifier: Collection 075

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The papers document the development of aviation and the airport in Kent County, Michigan. The largest part of the collection dates from 1930 to 1957 when Walsh was Kent County Airport Manager at the former airport site along Eastern Avenue, south of 32nd Street, in southeast Grand Rapids. Walsh was quick to understand the commercial and military potential of aviation and has often been credited with being the driving force behind efforts in Kent County to advance aviation beyond the era of hobbyists, barnstormers, and poorly maintained airfields to the modern age of professionally managed and commercially successful operations. After his retirement, Walsh maintained his interest in aviation and occasionally worked as a consultant for the Kent County Airport. He continued to collect newspaper clippings, photographs and other papers for many years.

The collection also includes a few papers related to Walsh's service in the 32nd Infantry (Red Arrow) Division during World War I, the 1956 tornado in the Grand Rapids area, the American Legion and lists of suspected Communists in Kent County (1930s and 1950s), which probably related to his position as head of the American Legion's Committee to Combat Communism, as well as various charitable and church organizations to which Walsh belonged.

The following record series are included in the papers: 1) biographical records, 2) correspondence, 3) speeches, 4) appointment books, 5) general subject files, 6) newspaper clippings, 7) Kent County Supervisors Airport Committee minutes, 8) Kent County Board of Control minutes, 9) Kent County Airport Annual Reports, 10) reports and studies, 11) Michigan Board of Aeronautics/Michigan Aeronautics Commission records, 12) memorabilia, 13) miscellaneous papers, 14) publications, 15) tape recordings, and 16) photographs.

Dates

1910-1985

Biographical / Historical

Thomas E. Walsh, born in Ballycastle, County Mayo, Ireland on 17 November 1900, was the son of Thomas Walsh and Bridget Winters Walsh. Because of the father's involvement in the Irish Revolution, the family was forced to emigrate to the United States where they settled in West Michigan. Walsh's mother died when he was seven, and his father died a year later. Walsh was placed in St. John's Orphanage in Grand Rapids and lived there for several years. At age twelve he was apprenticed to a farmer near Parnell, Michigan, but ran away and began living on his own. He worked for Watson Higgins Milling Company and the Pere Marquette Railroad before enlisting in the U.S. Army in April 1917.

While serving with the famed 32nd Infantry (Red Arrow) Division in France, Walsh was severely wounded and won the Purple Heart and Croix de Guerre. Album 1 in this collection contains images from his war experience, including those from the VA hospital at Maywood, Illinois in 1922 where he spent some time as a patient. From 1923 to 1928 he was president of Lane and Walsh Real Estate Company and later owner of Walsh Insurance and Real Estate from 1928 to 1932.

Walsh is best known for his role in promoting aviation and developing the airport in Kent County, Michigan, although he also contributed to the growth of aeronautics at the state and national levels. He was Manager of the Kent County Airport from 1930 to 1957, a member of the Michigan Aeronautics Board from 1932 to 1944, and its Director from 1941 to 1944. He served on the Michigan Aviation Commission from 1944 to 1953 and was Director from 1944 to 1945. He was Chairman of the American Legion Aeronautics Committee from 1931 to 1952, a member of the National Aeronautics Committee of the American Legion from 1938 to 1953, and Chairman in 1940. From 1941 to 1953 he was a member of the American Legion's National Security Commission and for twenty years, was head of the American Legion's Committee to Combat Communism.

In addition to his contributions to aviation, Walsh was known for his leadership in charitable and civic organizations. He was National President of the Polio Foundation in 1933, State Chairman of the Michigan Cancer Drive in 1952, and during his tenure as Civil Defense Director for Kent County, was cited for his response to the tornado disaster in 1956.

Walsh married Beatrice Norton in 1923; they had three daughters--Barbara, Helena and Mary. Walsh died in Grand Rapids on 17 May 1988.

Extent

17.9 Linear Feet (Approximately 40 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Thomas E. Walsh (1900-1988) is best known for his role in promoting and developing the airport in Kent County, Michigan. The papers relate mainly to Walsh's position as Kent County Airport manager from 1930 to 1957. During these years he played a leading role in transforming Kent County's airport from its amateur, underdeveloped condition into a professionally managed and commercially successful operation.

Other topics detailed in the papers include World War I and the 32nd Infantry Division, the American Legion, suspected communists in Kent County (1930s and 1950s), the 1956 tornado disaster in the Grand Rapids area and charitable and religious organizations to which Walsh belonged.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Thomas E. Walsh, accession number 1985.045

Related Materials

Additional information on Tom Walsh can be found in several other GRPL archival collections, including: Coll. 125, Robinson Studio Collection series. Coll. 164, Grand Rapids Public Library Oral History Collection. Coll. 166, Grand Rapids Press Monday Night Guest Oral Histories. Coll. 175, Grand Rapids Public Library Archives. Moving Image Collection. See “Wings Over Grand Rapids” Coll. 263, Grand Rapids Public Library Small Manuscript Collection, for a Citizen's biography.