Washington, DC
December 12, 2003

Interior Secretary Gale Norton will accept a life sized sculpture of the Wright brothers' first flight at a dedication ceremony on Sunday, December 14th.

The ceremony is part of the First Flight Centennial Celebration at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. North Carolina Secretary of Cultural Resources, Libba Evans, National Park Service Director Fran Mainella, sculptor Stephen Smith, descendants of the Wright brothers, and other State and local officials are participating in the dedication.

The 10,000 pound bronze and steel sculpture, a gift of the state of North Carolina to the nation, depicts the 1903 Wright Flyer with Orville Wright on board, as it is about to leave the ground; Wilbur Wright running along side; and John Daniels who photographed the historic December 17th event. The sculpture cost $250,000.

WHO: Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton, North Carolina Secretary of Cultural Resources, Libba Evans, NPS Director Fran Maniella, sculptor Stephen Smith, descendants of the Wright brothers, and other state and local officials are participating in the dedication.
WHAT: Dedication of Wright brothers' sculpture.
WHEN: December 14th, 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.
MEDIA: Credentialed media should assemble at the media center in the park and will be shuttled to the site of the ceremony beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Contact:

Frank Quimby
252.480.1449
571.236.3196