LINDBERGH TURNS HIS ESTATE WHERE HIS SON WAS KIDNAPPED OVER TO THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY: “THE LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO ACCEPT HIGH FIELDS HAS BEEN PASSED, AND THAT THE BILL HAS BEEN SIGNED BY GOVERNOR [CHARLES] EDISON…CONVEYING THE TITLE TO HIGH FIELDS TO THE STATE”

CHARLES LINDBERGH (1902-1974). Lindbergh was the first man to fly solo and non-stop across the Atlantic. His 1927 flight to Paris in The Spirit of St. Louis took him thirty-three hours and created a hero. His later life was controversial, as his first child was kidnapped and Lindbergh advocated American neutrality during World War II.

WILLIAM J. ELLIS, Ph.D. Ellis was the commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Institutions and Agencies for over two decades.

An archive of letters from Lindbergh to Dr. Ellis concerning the Lindbergh’s donation of their New Jersey estate, High Fields, to the State of New Jersey. This was the infamous house where their son Charles Jr. was kidnapped and the Lindberghs wanted nothing to do with the estate afterwards. They surrendered it to the state where it remains a home for troubled youth. The letters, all addressed to Ellis, include:

a) TLS. 1pg. 8 ½” x 11”. September 20, 1940. Huntington, New York. A typed letter signed “Charles A. Lindbergh”: “I have recently returned from a trip west, and received your Sept. 3d letter. I fully understand the desirability of waiting for final legislative action in regard to the transfer of the High Fields property. Thank you very much for keeping me informed of the status of this matter.” The letter has two punch holes at the top and light foxing but is in fine condition.

b) TLS. 1pg. 8 ½” x 11”. May 30, 1941. Huntington, New York. A typed letter signed “Charles A. Lindbergh”: “Thank you very much for your May 28th letter informing me that the legislation authorizing the State of New Jersey to accept High Fields has been passed, and that the Bill has been signed by Governor [Charles] Edison. I have written Color Breckinridge, as you suggested, asking to arrange for conveying the title to High Fields to the State, and I shall keep in close touch with him in regard to this matter. I shall, of course, be glad to meet with you and Mr. Earle at your convenience, either in Trenton or in New York. I expect to be in this vicinity for several days, then must make a trip west of from two or three weeks. We could meet either before or after this trip depending on which time you think would be best.” This letter shows how badly Lindbergh wanted to rid himself of the property. The letter has two punch holes at the top and light foxing but is in fine condition.

c) TLS. 1pg, 8 ½” x 11”. November 9, 1944. The Tompkins House, Westport, Connecticut. A typed letter signed “Charles A. Lindbergh”: “Your June thirteenth letter arrived while I was away on a six month’s trip into the Pacific area. I apologize for this later reply. Thank you for writing to let us know of your plans for High Fields. In regard to the articles mentioned in your letter, you are welcome to make whatever use of them seems most advisable. I recall the globe you mention only vaguely, and doubt that it has any historical value. If my memory is correct, it is quite an old globe on which I traced one or two of our flights. I do not know where it came from originally. I have been spending most of my spare time recently getting our affairs in order after my trip and still have considerable work to do along those lines. As soon as the opportunity arises, I am looking forward to seeing the developments you have carried out at High Fields.” The letter has two punch holes at the top and light foxing but is in fine condition.

d) There are three photographs, one of the aviator, one of the house and one of the estate’s gatehouse.