Milton M. Howell Charles Lindbergh Collection
Contents of the Collection
The Milton M. Howell Charles Lindbergh Collection is comprised of textual materials that provide insight into the relationship between Dr. Howell and the Lindberghs as well as Charles Lindbergh's death. Most materials date between 1968 and 1974 and have been arranged chronologically.
The collection is largely focused on Lindbergh's death in August 1974 which is documented through a large amount of correspondence to Howell and obituaries, both loose and collected in a scrapbook. The majority of the condolence letters are from Howell's friends and peers sent after Lindbergh's passing. Of note is a August 30, 1974 letter from Anne Morrow Lindbergh to Howell that warmly thanks him for his long friendship with and excellent care of not only Charles, but Anne and their sons. Many of the letters include obituaries for Lindbergh from assorted newspapers around the country. Other printed ephemera related to Lindbergh's death include transcripts from an interview about the funeral procession, a typed rememberance, a funeral program, a rememberance service program, and a reprint of "Lone Eagle's Last Flight" by Howell.
A few additional items relate to the Lindberghs. Of note is a typed 1952 letter to Pan American World Airways executive Sam Pryor from Charles Lindbergh that declines an appearance invitation. It is signed "Charles." There is also a small amount of correspondence from Anne Morrow Lindbergh to Roselle Howell, including geeting cards and social letters, from 1971 to 1985.
Additionally, there are materials pertaining to the Charles A. Lindbergh Fund, which was created after Lindbergh's death to help support the the Palapala Ho'omau Church and cemetery where Lindbergh was buried. Materials include clippings and correspondence related to concerns about a park project and a financial report.
The collection also holds a small number of items that pertain directly to Howell. There is a photographic postcard of the Hana Medical Center that Howell helped build and where he served as Hana's only doctor for many years. There is also a clipping about his retirement and correspondence related to his assistance on articles about Lindbergh. A single color photograph (moern reprint) is also present. It depicts an unidentified man who may be Dr. Milton Howell.
Dates
- Creation: 1952-1990
Creator
- Howell, Milton M., 1920-2014 (Former owner, Person)
Biographical Note: Dr. Milton M. Howell
Dr. Milton M. Howell (1920-2014) was a physician. He was most known as doctor to Charles Lindbergh.
Milton Moore Howell was born on April 12, 1920 to Thomas Daniel and Helen Lundy (Eason) Howell in Lula, Mississippi. Details of his early life are sparse. Howell married Esther Roselle Calhoun (1917-1998) on November 1, 1942. At some point, Howell became a physician and in 1962, he and his wife, Roselle, relocated to Hana, Maui, Hawaii to help build the Hana Medical Center. Howell served as the only doctor in Hana for many years.
Howell was a long-time friend to both Anne and Charles Lindbergh. In 1974, he was Charles Lindbergh's doctor for the end stages of lymphatic cancer, helped Lindbergh plan his funeral, and provided hospice care for Lindbergh's final days. Shortly after Lindbergh's passing, Howell wrote the article "Lone Eagle's last flight" for the Journal of American Medical Association.
In 1986, he retired as Hana's only doctor and in 1989, he and Roselle relocated to the Seattle, Washington area due to her health.
Dr. Milton M. Howell died on August 31, 2014 in Mercer Island, Washington. He is buried at Wananalua Congregational Church Cemetery in Hana, Maui, Hawaii.
Biography derived from collection materials and records on Ancestry.com.
Full Extent
.8 Cubic Feet (1 2-inch legal-size document box; 1 oversize box (16x20x3") )
Language
English
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
Processing Information
The collection arrived with no discernible order, although some folders did include titles. Original folder titles were maintained if clear and accurate and are denoted by quotation marks. All other folder titles were devised by the processing archivist. Letters and clippings were removed from envelopes. Letters were unfolded, while most clippings remain at least partially folded. Photographs and fragile letters were placed in polypropylene sleeves. A scrapbook of newspaper clippings is present and has not been disassembled, although some pages have fallen out and are housed in a companion folder for the scrapbook.
Subject
- Title
- Guide to the Milton M. Howell Charles Lindbergh Collection
- Status
- Completed Level 2
- Author
- Jenn Parent
- Date
- 2026 May
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Edition statement
- 1st Edition
Repository Details
Part of the The Museum of Flight Archives Repository
9404 East Marginal Way South
Seattle Washington 98108-4097
206-764-5874
curator@museumofflight.org