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 ParkWright brothers at Huffman Prairie in October 1910.
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
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
16 South Williams Street

Includes The Wright Cycle Company building and the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center (restored Hoover Block) and the Aviation Trail Visitor Center and Museum.
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.
Hoover Block
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
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...
Truman home fence installation. Credit: Truman Library  

Did You Know?
Harry wrote to Bess during WWI, “I heard a Frenchman remark that Germany was fighting [the war] for territory, England for the sea, France for patriotism, and Americans for souvenirs.” Truman would often repeat this story later in life when souvenir hunters threatened to tear his house apart.

Last Updated: November 07, 2008 at 10:08 EST