Kenneth M. Molson
(1916-1996)
Kenneth M. Molson is recognized as one of Canada's leading aeronautical historians. He was dedicated to preserving Canada's aviation heritage, and had an extensive personal collection of artifacts and photographs. In 1996, his personal archives were donated to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and are now part of the Molson Collection.
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From a young age, Ken also developed a deep appreciation for wildlife, with a particular focus on birds. He maintained a great many friends with whom he hunted and fished throughout many small towns in rural Ontario. Wildlife preservation and sustainable ecological practices were a top priority for Ken, which led him to support initiatives such as the World Wildlife Fund.
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In addition to his archival work, Ken was also an accomplished author. He wrote Pioneering in Canadian Air Transport (1974) and co-authored three other notable works: Canadian Aircraft Since 1909 (1982), 125 Years of Canadian Aeronautics: A Chronology 1840–1965 (1983), and Canada's National Aviation Museum: Its History and Collections (1988).
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Although Ken has passed, his passion for both wildlife conservation and aviation lives on through the ongoing efforts of the Kenneth M. Molson Foundation.
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Ken Molson sitting on a dock near a Fairchild FC-2W2
Photo Credit: CASM Archives KM-05075
Ken at Dominion Skyways
A depiction of Ken's first solo flight (1934) at Curtiss-Reid Flying School.
Painting by R.W Bradford, 1967
The Avro Arrow Debut, 1957
National Aviation Museum Display, early 1960s
Ken and Frances Molson
1916 -
Ottawa, Ontario
Kenneth M. Molson was born in Ottawa, Canada. He is related to the Molson Family noted for founding the famous Canadian brewing company
Attended Ashbury College for high school and later graduated from McGill University.
Oakland, California
Rouyn, Québec
1936
1945
Toronto, Ontario
Married Frances Cowie after meeting through her brother, Arthur Cowie, a colleague and friend he met working at Avro Limited.
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Ken and Francis lived and worked in Toronto until 1960.
1940s-1950s
Toronto, Ontario
Worked at A.V. Roe Canada. Avro (as it was known) created the Avro Arrow, the iconic, advanced, futuristic, and aeronautically successful Canadian fighter aircraft. The Arrow project was scrapped by the Diefenbaker government in 1959 under intense pressure and lobbying by the United States to prevent its commercial success.
1960
Ottawa, Ontario
Became a founding curator of what was then called the National Aviation Museum (Now Canada Aviation and Space Museum) when it first opened at Uplands Airport in Ottawa. Ken and Frances relocated to Ottawa for his new position.
1968
Established the Kenneth M. Molson Foundation, supporting aviation and wildlife projects in Canada.
Attended the Boeing School of Aeronautics to pursue an education in aeronautics, and graduated as an engineer in 1938.
1990s-2000s
Toronto, Ontario
Ken passed away in 1996 and Frances continued as Honorary Chair of the Foundation until her passing in 2008.
1930s
Worked as a mechanic for Dominion Skyways during the summers.​​
Learned to fly at the Curtiss-Reid Flying School and earned his private pilot's license at the age of 20.
Montréal, Québec
1936 -38