One of the Museum's collections highlights the life of a woman who performed death defying stunts on a regular basis. Birdie Viola Draper was born in 1916 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At age 20, Draper began training as a parachutist with Stub Chrissinger, an instructor for Hincks Flying Service. Chrissinger was one of two licensed parachute riggers in Minnesota at the time.

Birdie prepares for her first jump in 1937.

After her training, Draper joined a stunt group called the Thrill Day Performers. She became known as the "Queen of Daredevils" performing at thrill shows and fairs throughout the country. After joining the "Death Fighters," Birdie expanded her act to include automobile stunts. One particular stunt involved an 18 inch brick wall, an old car, 16 sticks of dynamite, and Draper at the wheel.

The wall before and during the stunt! 

During the 1940s Draper traded in her stunt career for a position at Ryan Aeronautical Company in San Diego as a licensed parachute rigger. She also became part of the newly organized parachute troop of the Women's Ambulance and Transport Corps of California (WATCC). Draper married George Griffin, a local attorney, and retired from Ryan Aeronautical Company in 1945. She died November 1, 2005.

Birdie in her parachute in 1940.

The Library & Archives houses the personal collection of Birdie Draper, donated in January 2006. The collection is composed of photographs (on Flickr), newspaper clippings, jump log, parachute rigger log, thrill show posters, her "Death Fighters" uniform, and a WWII era WATCC jumpsuit. A portion of her collection is currently on display in the Museum's WWII Gallery.