The Wright Brothers National Memorial:
Today North Carolina commemorates the Wright Brother’s success at The Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The Museum memorializes Orville and Wilbur’s accomplishment of achieving the first powered flight. Within the memorial you my tour the very place were the Wright Brothers experienced success. They have opened a Visitor Center, Centennial Pavilion, a hanger replica and camp, flight line, and the famous Big Kill Devil Hill for the public to enjoy (National Park, 2011).
The public may visit the Visitor Center to gain background on Orville and Wilbur’s story. Within the center you can experience exhibits with full scale replicas of the original Wright Brothers 1902 Glider and 1903 Flying Machine (National Park, 2011). These replicas help retell the Wright Brothers path to success. The Centennial Pavilion houses the multi-purpose auditorium where speakers present information explaining the Wright’s ideas for human flight. The Pavilion also displays exhibits dealing with the evolution of aviation.
Outside the centers are the Wright Brothers Memorial, hanger, and flight line. Atop Big Kill Devil Hill, The Wright Brothers Memorial stands 60 feet in the air commemorating the hundreds of glider flights that preceded the first powered flight (National Park 1991). Below Kill Devil Hill are the reconstructed 1903 Camp and Hanger buildings. These buildings house items similar to those that the Wright’s would have used from 1900 to 1903 (National Park, 1991). Following the hanger and camp building is The First Flight Line. This line honors the first four flights taken by the brothers on December 17, 1903 (National Park, 2011). The flight line displays the take-off point along with four small stone markers that chart the path of Orville and Wilbur’s flights.
The public may visit the Visitor Center to gain background on Orville and Wilbur’s story. Within the center you can experience exhibits with full scale replicas of the original Wright Brothers 1902 Glider and 1903 Flying Machine (National Park, 2011). These replicas help retell the Wright Brothers path to success. The Centennial Pavilion houses the multi-purpose auditorium where speakers present information explaining the Wright’s ideas for human flight. The Pavilion also displays exhibits dealing with the evolution of aviation.
Outside the centers are the Wright Brothers Memorial, hanger, and flight line. Atop Big Kill Devil Hill, The Wright Brothers Memorial stands 60 feet in the air commemorating the hundreds of glider flights that preceded the first powered flight (National Park 1991). Below Kill Devil Hill are the reconstructed 1903 Camp and Hanger buildings. These buildings house items similar to those that the Wright’s would have used from 1900 to 1903 (National Park, 1991). Following the hanger and camp building is The First Flight Line. This line honors the first four flights taken by the brothers on December 17, 1903 (National Park, 2011). The flight line displays the take-off point along with four small stone markers that chart the path of Orville and Wilbur’s flights.
The above video shows a virtual tour of the Wright Brothers Memorial at Kill Devil Hill, N.C. Retrived from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKFssJNyZck
The Wright Brothers contribution to North Carolina History will forever be preserved in The Wright Brothers National Memorial. Their world changing accomplishment provided North Carolina with the honor and privilege of being the first state to fly. The Wright Brothers success in developing the first powered flight will forever mark a major turning point in North Carolina History.