National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park Students participating in art projects in the park.
view map
text size: largest larger normal
printer friendly
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
Visit the Sites
 
Wilbur and Orville Wright on porch at 7 Hawthorne Street.
Wright State University Special Collections and Archives
Wilbur and Orville Wright on porch at 7 Hawthorne Street, Dayton, Ohio.
 

Wright Cycle Company Complex

The Wright Cycle Company
Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center
Aviation Trail Visitor Center and Museum.

16 South Williams Street
Dayton, Ohio 45402
937.225.7705

The Wright Cycle Company

The fourth bicycle shop operated by the Wrights is the only building remaining as testament to the bicycle business. It is also in this shop in which the Wrights' passive interest in flying turned to active research and development. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990.

Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center

Wilbur and Orville started their careers as printers and operated their second print shop, outside the home, here as Wright & Wright Job Printers. In this location, the Wrights edited and published newspapers for the West Side patrons. The Dayton Tattler, written by Paul Laurence Dunbar, was also printed at this location. Designated as part of the West Third Street National Register Historic District in 1988.

Huffman Prairie Flying Field

Gate 16A, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

On this 84-acre patch of rough pasture outside Dayton, the Wright brothers learned to control and maneuver their powered machine and taught themselves to fly during 1904 and 1905. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990. The Flying Field is located on an active military installation and subject to unannounced closure. Visitors are urged to call 937-425-0008 for field closures.

Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center

2380 Memorial Road, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

Exhibits focus on the Wright brothers' development of the world's first practical airplane at Huffman Prairie in 1904 and 1905, their flying school starting in 1910, and the accomplishments of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Wright Memorial

2380 Memorial Road, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

Adjacent to the Interpretive Center, the Wright Memorial on Wright Brothers Hill is a 27-acre designed landscape honoring Dayton's native sons. The monument, a 17-foot pink granite obelisk, was dedicated on August 19, 1940, Orville's 69th birthday.

Dayton History at Carillon Park

1000 Carillon Boulevard
Dayton, Ohio

Wright Brothers Aviation Center

The world's first practical airplane, the 1905 Wright Flyer III, built by the Wright brothers and flown at Huffman Prairie, is the centerpiece exhibit. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990 and a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark in 2003.

Paul Laurence Dunbar House

219 North Paul Laurence Dunbar Street

Dunbar purchased this house for his mother in 1904 and completed his last work here before his death in 1906. This gifted and prolific writer produced over 400 poems, novels, plays, short stories, and lyrics. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977.

Otto Lilienthal in his bi-wing glider
Otto Lilienthal in Bi-wing Glider
The father of gliding was an inspiration to the Wrights.
more...
Huffman Prairie Flying Field
Replica Launching Device
The catapult allowed the brothers to launch independently of the wind.
more...
Wright Brothers Aviation Center at Dayton History at Carillon Park
Wright Brothers Aviation Center at Carillon Park
See the 1905 Wright Flyer III on display.
more...
Dunbar's writing room
Dunbar's Writing Room
Dunbar continued to write despite his failing health.
more...

You are exiting the National Park Service website

Thank you for visiting our site.

You will now be redirected to:

We hope your visit was informative and enjoyable.

Orville, Katharine, President Taft, and Wilbur Wright at the White House, 1909.

Did You Know?
Orville, Katharine, and Wilbur Wright travel to Washington, D.C. in 1909 at the request of President William Howard Taft. The Wright brothers were presented with the Aero Club of America medal at a White House ceremony.

Last Updated: December 09, 2010 at 13:52 MST