Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center Closed Due to Fire Damage

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Date: July 20, 2011
Contact: Outer Banks Group, 252-473-2111

Superintendent Mike Murray announced today the Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center will be closed until further notice.A mid-morning fire in an air handling unit motor at the facility was extinguished and there were no injuries reported.All staff and park visitors were evacuated from the building.The Kill Devil Hills and Colington Fire Departments responded.

The park, including the Wright Brothers Pavilion with interpretive exhibits, remains open to visitors.The building where the fire occurred will require clean up and repair of damage and debris and a thorough assessment of the condition of cultural artifacts.The building is expected to be reopened in several days.

Did You Know?

Orville Wright at Kill Devil Hill in 1911.

On October 24, 1911, at Kitty Hawk, NC, Orville Wright established a new world soaring record in a 50 mile-per-hour wind of nine minutes and forty-five seconds.  This remained a world’s record for 10 years.