Date: February 22, 2016
Contact: Public Affairs, 252-473-2111
On August 25, 2016, the National Park Service turns 100 years old. To celebrate the 100th birthday of America’s national parks, Wright Brothers National Memorial (NMEM) has planned many exciting programs.
The National Park Service Find Your Park centennial campaign reaches out to tomorrow’s park stewards and helps them define “park” in their own way. Join our participation in this program via our social media sites on Twitter and Instagram (@wrightbrosnps), and Facebook.
Scheduled Events:
Event: “Explore Your Outer Banks Parks: Celebrating a Century of the National Park Service” Exhibit
Date: March 5-December 31, 2016 (Opening night on March 4 from 5:30-7:30)
Partner: Outer Banks History Center
Location: The Outer Banks History Center, 1 Festival Park Manteo, NC 27954
Description: In an effort to connect local residents and visitors to the Outer Banks Group of parks, we are partnering with the Outer Banks History Center (OBHC) to create an NPS Centennial Exhibit. The exhibit will highlight events from our park histories and showcase the wonderful resources our parks have to offer.
Event: Naturalization Ceremony
Date: April 16th 2016, 3 PM
Location: Wright Brothers National Memorial, Visitors Center
Partners: US Customs & Immigration Service, First Flight Society
Description: The National Park Service and United States Customs and Immigration Service have a formal partnership to enhance citizenship ceremonies by holding them in national parks throughout the country. The agreement helps introduce new citizens to some of the nation’s most significant natural and cultural resources. These historic and picturesque sites provide an ideal backdrop for citizenship ceremonies, where new citizens can learn about and reflect on American identity and the responsibilities of citizenship. Hosting a naturalization ceremony at Wright Brothers would fall under the centennial “Call to Action” theme “Connecting People to Parks” by developing lifelong connections between new U.S. citizens living in urban areas between Raleigh- Durham and the Outer Banks.
Event: National Aviation Day
Date: August 19th
Location: Wright Brothers National Memorial, Visitor Center
Partners: NASA, First Flight Society, USCG
Description: Wright Brothers National Memorial will be hosting a National Aviation Day Celebration in conjunction with the partners listed above. The focus is to celebrate the achievement that the Wright brothers had in the field of aviation. Additional focuses of the event include: displaying science-based knowledge that is used in aviation and having youth engage in hands-on learning activities. This event seeks to instill a sense of stewardship for the story and the location of what was achieved at the park and creates a lasting connection with the next generation of park visitors.
Event: 113th Anniversary of Controlled Powered Flight
Date: December 17, 2016
Location: Wright Brothers National Memorial
Partners: First Flight High School, Middle & Elementary School Choir, Elizabeth City Schools, First Flight Society
Description: In partnership with the First Flight Society, we will celebrate the 113th Anniversary of Flight, which occurred on December 17th, 1903, at Wright Brothers National Memorial. Speakers, musicians, youth, descendants of the Wright brothers, the Smithsonian Institution, and local community members will participate.
