Wind, sand, and a dream of flight brought Wilbur and Orville Wright to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where, after four years of scientific experimentation, they achieved the first successful airplane flights on December 17, 1903. With courage and pe...
Exhibit Title: 12 Seconds that Changed the World Exhibit Layout: Cream colored, landscape-oriented rectangular panel featuring a black band across the top. The black band has text that reads, “Wright Brothers National Memorial” and “National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior”. On the right side of the band is the NPS Logo. The panel features text in the top third of the panel. The bottom third of the panel features a large artistic rendering of the first flight, including the two camp buildings. Next to the painting, is a black and white photograph of the actual first flight. View from the Exhibit: The First Flight Sculpture is about 50 yards behind this exhibit. The sculpture is on a sandy surface and surrounded by green grass. About 40 feet to the left of the sculpture is a small tree with a bench beneath it. Image 1: Black and white photograph of the first flight. The 1903 flyer is centered flying away from the viewer, just getting liftoff from the rail below it. A man, Orville Wright, is seen lying on his stomach in the center of the flyer. Another man dressed in a dark suit is standing to the side of the flyer’s wings on the right side of the photo. A caption reads, John T. Daniels, a Kill Devil Hills Life Saving Station surfman, took this photograph (above), documenting the first flight. Stand beside the sculpture of Surfman Daniels to see if you can capture this image. Image 2: A gold framed painting of the first flight, as depicted from the front of the flyer. The sky is blue and patched with grey, fluffy clouds. The painting is set farther away than the photograph, showing the witnesses much smaller. The two camp buildings can be seen close by to the flyer and the witnesses on the left. A caption reads, Frank Wootton’s painting (right) of the first flight offers another view of the historic event.
View of the 1903 camp of the Wright Brothers featuring the 1903 Flyer, the hangar and their living quarters building.
1903 Hangar Immediately left of the workshop and living quarters rests the reconstruction of the 1903 hangar on the spot where the original building stood. It is a large, one-story, wooden, rectangular structure with a wooden awning extending over the concrete walkway. The hangar has an open entrance. There are no windows.
Wilbur and Orville constructed their workshop at this location in 1901. They consistently made improvements to it each season they returned. Currently located here are reconstructions of their living space and hangar as it was set up from 1903.
1903 Workshop/Living Quarters The reconstructed workshop and living quarters encompass one large, rectangular, wooden, one-story building. A glass door provides a view into the reconstructed interior. A few feet left of this structure rests the reconstructed hangar. The visitor center is located 100 yards to the northeast, and to the south lies a grassy field and Big Kill Devil Hill beyond.
Exhibit Title: Welcome to Wright Brothers National Memorial. Exhibit Layout: Vertically oriented rectangular panel featuring a black band across the top. The black band has text that reads, “Wright Brothers National Memorial” and “National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.” This panel features a map of the memorial with callouts for points of interest. There is a main body of text at the top left and on the right side is a text box with information about the airport. View: Directly behind and to the left of this exhibit is the pilot’s facility. There is a wooden ramp/stair set directly to the left. Directly to the right, about 20 feet is a wooden fence surrounding the parking area of the airstrip. Oftentimes, there are small private planes parked in this area. Text on the Kiosk: Pilot’s Booth. Operating Hours. The unattended airstrip is open 3 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes after sunset. Pilot Booth. Access by using “Squawk VFR.” Parking. Aircraft may freely park in the tie-down area for 24 consecutive hours or 48 total hours over any 30 period. Fuel. There is no fuel. The closes airport with fuel is Dare County Regional Airport (MQI). The background of the panel is a map of the Wright Brothers National Memorial. The map is oriented with north being at the top. The Atlantic Ocean is on the right side. The map shows a road coming from the visitor center in the north part of the park leading to a loop around the hill where the monument is located. There are red lines on the map marking the walking paths from the visitor center, south to the monument and up the hill from the loop road. The map has callouts for 8 points of interest with text and a photo. The callouts start in the northern part of the park, nearest to the visitor center, and move south along a path towards the monument and pilot’s facility where you are currently standing. The callouts end in the southern part of the park at the sculpture. Point of Interest 1: A color photograph of a granite marker with a 4 etched on the side and text etch on the top. A caption reads, Flight Markers. Visit the landing points of the first controlled, sustained, powered flights. Point of Interest 2: A colored photograph of a building with orange framed windows. The building is boxy in shape and has a second tier that looks like an aircraft control tower. A caption reads, Visitor Center. Explore the Wright brothers’ story and see a reproduction of their 1903 Flyer. Point of Interest 3: A colored photograph of a large boulder with a plaque positioned on it. The caption reads, First Flight Boulder. Stand at the liftoff point of the first flights. Point of Interest 4: Colored photograph of two wooden structures with a walkway in front of them. The building on the left has its front wall propped open like a hangar or garage. The caption reads, See how the brothers lived and worked here in 1903. Point of Interest 5: Colored photograph of the propeller of a small white airplane. A caption reads, First Flight Airstrip. Watch aircraft land and takeoff at the 3,000-feet-long airstrip. Point of Interest 6: Colored photograph of a large granite monument. There are visitors walking around the base of the monument and they look extremely small next to the tall monument. The caption reads, Wright Brothers Monument. View the nation’s monument commemorating the Wright brothers. Point of Interest 7: Colored landscape photograph of the green grass covered hill with the monument sitting on top. The caption reads, Big Kill Devil Hill. Climb this hill to stand where the Wright Brothers flew their gliders. Point of Interest 8: A colored photograph of a sculpture replica of the 1903 flyer with a statue of a man who is bent behind a camera taking a photograph. A caption reads, December 17, 1903 Sculpture. Place yourself within a scene of the first flight.
Five picnic tables can be found underneath live oak trees with views of Big Kill Devil Hill and the Wright Brothers Monument. Parking is located in front of the KFFA Pilots' Facility or across the loop road. Please use caution when crossing the road. Restroom facilities can be found within the KFFA Pilots' Facility. There are two more picnic tables located at the northwest corner of the pilot's facility.
Picnic Area<br />66 words (¾-minute)<br /><br />Located west-northwest of the loop road across from Big Kill Devil Hill is a picnic area with five tables. Several trees line the picnic area, with the KFFA Pilot's Facility located immediately to the west. Two more picnic tables can be found on the northwest edge of the pilot's facility. To the east is a clear view of Big Kill Devil Hill and the monument.<br /><br />End of message.
Exhibit Title: Among Friends Exhibit Layout: Landscape-oriented rectangular panel featuring a black band across the top. The black band has text that reads, “Wright Brothers National Memorial” and “National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.” There is text across the top third of the panel and the wayside background is a photograph of the First Flight sculpture with callouts describing the statues surrounding the flyer. View from the Exhibit: This wayside overlooks the back of the first flight sculpture, which is positioned on a sandy surface and surrounded by green grass. From here, the sculptures of the 5 witnesses can be seen. From left to right the sculptures closest to this spot are Johnny Moore, Adam Etheridge, W.C. Brinkley, Willis Dough, and John T. Daniels (standing next to a sculpture of a camera). In the near distance, closer to the flyer are Orville Wright (on the flyer) and Wilbur Wright (next to the flyer). Photo: A colored photograph fills the panel. The view is from behind the flyer in the sculpture. From left to right, the statues surrounding the sculpture are Johnny Moore, Adam Etheridge, W.C. Brinkley, Willis Dough, Orville Wright (on the flyer), John T. Daniels (Standing behind a camera), and Wilbur Wright. In front of John Daniels is a small bench, where the flyer’s wing rested before taking flight. Text from left to right on the panel: Johnny Moore. A sixteen-year-old boy who lived his whole life on the Outer Banks as a hunting and fishing guide. Adam Etheridge. A member of the US Life-Saving Service at Kill Devil Hills. He became a life-long friend of the Wright Brothers and took care of their camp buildings when they left Kitty Hawk in 1903. W.C. Brinkley. A lumberman from Manteo. He happened to be at the Kill Devil Hills US Life-Saving Station when the Wright Brothers signaled the crew to come over and assist with the flyer. Willis Dough. A member of the US Life-Saving Service at Kill Devil Hills. He witnessed and assisted the Wright Brothers in their later 1908 flights when they returned to Kitty Hawk for the last time together. Orville Wright. Orville piloted the first flight on December 17, 1903: 12 seconds, 120 feet. John T. Daniels. A member of the US Life-Saving Service at Kill Devil Hills, he took the famous photograph of the Wright Brothers’ first flight. Wilbur Wright. Wilbur steadied the wing, then let go as the flyer lifted off.
When the Wright brothers were here, Big Kill Devil Hill-the hill in front of you-was a massive sand dune. Thousands of times, the brothers trekked up this and three nearby dunes to conduct glider experiments. Climbing the hill was strenuous. Deep, soft sand caused every step up the slope to slip part-way back down. The Wrights were also burdened with carrying their heavy gliders up the hill for each flight.
Big Kill Devil Hill<br />168 words (1-½ minutes)<br /><br />This low-profile outdoor exhibit is located a few yards north of the loop road that encircles Big Kill Devil Hill. Just right of the footpath facing south, to the left of the exhibit is a grassy field, to the right is a grassy field that extends to the tree line next to the First Flight Airstrip. Across the loop road to the south stands a bike rack and Big Kill Devil Hill. <br /><br />The text of the exhibit reads: <br /><br />When the Wright brothers were here, Big Kill Devil Hill-the hill in front of you-was a massive sand dune.<br /><br />Thousands of times, the brothers trekked up this and three nearby dunes to conduct glider experiments. Climbing the hill was strenuous. Deep, soft sand caused every step up the slope to slip part-way back down. The Wrights were also burdened with carrying their heavy gliders up the hill for each flight.<br /><br />Their tireless efforts paid off as they mastered their flying skills and refined their flight controls.<br /><br />End of message.
Description of Background Image: A black and white photograph of 4 men carrying a glider up a sand dune. Two men are holding the gliders wings, while the other two are holding the front and read sections of the glider. A fifth man stands to the left of them in the image. He is wearing a dark suit and a hat. Waves are crashing into the shore in the distance behind the men. The caption reads: Friends and surfmen from the nearby US Life-Saving Station helped the brothers carry their gliders up the dune. Photo 1 Description: Black and white photograph showing a glider with a pilot flying from the dune. The flyer is angled, as if turning. A big sand dune can be seen in the distance. The caption reads, The Wrights mastered flight controls with their 1902 glider. Photo 2 Description: A black and white photograph showing a man pushing a plow behind a donkey. They are working on a sand dune. In the foreground is bunches of grass ready to be planted. The caption reads, Starting in 1929, workers planted grass to stabilize Big Kill Devil Hill so the Wright Brothers Monument could be built on top. Exhibit Layout: Landscape-oriented rectangular panel featuring a black band across the top. The black band has text that reads, “Wright Brothers National Memorial” and “National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.” The top half of the panel features a large black and white photograph that fills the background of the panel. The bottom half of the panel has 3 columns. The first column has text and the next two columns each have a black and white photograph with a caption. View from Exhibit: There is a road is a few feet behind this wayside. Across the road is large grass and shrub covered hill with paved sidewalks leading up to the Wright Brothers Monument that sits atop the hill.
Exhibit Layout: Landscape-oriented rectangular panel featuring a black band across the top. The black band has text that reads, “Wright Brothers National Memorial” and “National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.” The top half of the panel features a large black and white photograph that fills the whole background of the panel. The bottom half of the panel has 3 columns. The first column has text and the next two columns each have a black and white photograph with a caption. View from the Exhibit: Behind this wayside is a flat, grassy area that leads up to a grass and shrub covered hill that the Wright Brothers Monument sits atop. To the right and left is a path that leads up to the top of the hill. Background Image: A black and white photograph of 4 men carrying a glider up a sand dune. Two men are holding the gliders wings, while the other two are holding the front and read sections of the glider. A fifth man stands to the left of them in the image. He is wearing a dark suit and a hat. Waves are crashing into the shore in the distance behind the men. The caption reads, Friends and surfmen from the nearby US Life-Saving Station helped the brothers carry their gliders up the dune. Photo 1: Black and white photograph showing a glider with a pilot flying from the dune. The flyer is angled, as if turning. A big sand dune can be seen in the distance. A caption reads, the Wrights mastered flight controls with their 1902 glider. Photo 2: A black and white photograph showing a man pushing a plow behind a donkey. They are working on a sand dune. In the foreground is bunches of grass ready to be planted. A caption reads, Starting in 1929, workers planted grass to stabilize Big Kill Devil Hill so the Wright Brothers Monument could be built on top.
Exhibit Title: Big Kill Devil Hill Background Image: A black and white photograph of 4 men carrying a glider up a sand dune. Two men are holding the gliders wings, while the other two are holding the front and read sections of the glider. A fifth man stands to the left of them in the image. He is wearing a dark suit and a hat. Waves are crashing into the shore in the distance behind the men. The caption reads, Friends and surfmen from the nearby US Life-Saving Station helped the brothers carry their gliders up the dune. Photo 1 description: Black and white photograph showing a glider with a pilot flying from the dune. The flyer is angled, as if turning. A big sand dune can be seen in the distance. The caption reads, The Wrights mastered flight controls with their 1902 glider. Photo 2 Description: A black and white photograph showing a man pushing a plow behind a donkey. They are working on a sand dune. In the foreground is bunches of grass ready to be planted. The caption reads, Starting in 1929, workers planted grass to stabilize Big Kill Devil Hill so the Wright Brothers Monument could be built on top. Exhibit Layout: Landscape-oriented rectangular panel featuring a black band across the top. The black band has text that reads, “Wright Brothers National Memorial” and “National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.” The top half of the panel features a large black and white photograph that fills the whole background of the panel. The bottom half of the panel has 3 columns. The first column has text and the next two columns each have a black and white photograph with a caption. View from the Exhibit: Behind this wayside is a paved pathway up to the Wright Brothers Memorial. The hill is covered in grass and shrubs. The view is looking up the hill towards the side of the monument.
On December 17, 1928, only 25 years after the Wrights achieved flight, thousands gathered at this remote place to celebrate the global importance of the birth of flight.
Exhibit Layout: Landscape-oriented rectangular panel featuring a black band across the top. The black band has text that reads, “Wright Brothers National Memorial” and “National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.” The panel features a large image that fills the background. On the left side is a block of text above a smaller photograph. Exhibit Description: A black and white image of Big Kill Devil Hill when it was a big sand dune. Crowds of people are walking up the hill. The 1900’s era cars are parked at the base of the hill. A caption reads: Celebrants climbed up Big Kill Devil Hill for the Laying of the monument’s cornerstone. In 1932, the completed monument was dedicated. View from the Wayside: To the left, is a large, open, grass covered field. In the far distance to the right is the Wright Brothers Monument atop a large hill. Behind the wayside, in the near distance is the first flight boulder with a long launch rail on the ground in front of it. Directly to the right of here are the reconstructed wooden camp/hangar buildings.
Located to the south of Big Kill Devil Hill, the December 17, 1903 sculpture represents the Wright brothers' first flight. Dedicated in 2003 as a gift from the State of North Carolina , the bronze and steel sculpture reenacts the historic first flight. Orville pilots the machine, Wilbur runs alongside, and the witnesses who assisted with the flights that day look on and cheer.
December 17, 1903 Located along a concrete footpath leading southeast from the triangle of exhibits, the bronze sculpture garden shows the 1903 Wright Flyer facing northwest with Orville at the controls and Wilbur running just behind the right wingtip. A few yards behind Wilbur is John T. Daniels and his camera. To Daniels' left are four more witnesses of the first flight, all standing in various poses behind the flyer. The sculpture garden rests on sand and gravel with its small granite dedication plaque a few yards in front of the flyer.
Located west of US-158 in Kill Devils Hills, North Carolina between mileposts 7 and 8, the entrance to Wright Brothers National Memorial leads to the entrance station.<br /><br />Visitors are required to pay an entrance fee to enter the park, or show a current <strong>America the Beautiful Pass</strong> . Additional information about the <strong>America the Beautiful Passes</strong> can be <a href="https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm">found on this website</a> .
Entrance Station<br />32 Words (½-minute)<br /><br />Wright Brothers National Memorial has two drive-up booths located along the entrance road. These two small, square structures are located along a curving road upon entering the park from US-158.<br /><br />End of message.
First Flight Airstrip-dedicated in 1963 and owned by the National Park Service-is an unattended, general aviation airstrip with one 3,000-foot asphalt runway.
First Flight Airstrip Running along the western edge of the park in a north-south direction between two coniferous forests, the First Flight Airstrip features a 3,000-foot asphalt runway.
From this spot on December 17, 1903, the 1903 Wright Flyer lifted off from its launching rail at 10:35 am and, in 12 seconds, flew 120 feet at an altitude of 8 feet. With Orville at the controls and Wilbur running alongside, the brothers had achieved the seemingly impossible.The boulder and accompanying plaque were dedicated on December 17, 1928 by the National Aeronautic Association, marking the 25th anniversary of the brothers' first flight. Orville Wright and Amelia Earhar
First Flight Boulder<br />168 words (1-½ minutes)<br /><br />Facing west at a T-section along the concrete path 20 yards west of the camp buildings, the First Flight Boulder marks the location of the first liftoff of a powered aircraft in world history. It is a 6-foot-tall granite boulder with a copper plaque in the center. Immediately south of the boulder is a reproduction of the launching rail; to the north extending for several hundred feet are the granite markers indicating the landing spots of the brothers' flights. To the west is a grassy field with a coniferous forest in the distance. The concrete path continues south toward Big Kill Devil Hill.<br /><br />The text on the plaque reads:<br /><br />The first successful flight of an airplane was made from this spot by Orville Wright December 17, 1903 in a machine designed and built by Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright. This tablet was erected by the National Aeronautic Association of the U.S.A. December 17, 1928 to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of this event.<br /><br />End of message.
On December 17, 1903, at approximately 10:35 am, Orville Wright piloted the 1903 Wright Flyer to this location after a brief, 12-second flight. Though the flight was a mere 120 feet (shorter than the length of a modern passenger airliner) in distance at an altitude of 8 feet, the brothers had achieved what was thought impossible. It was the first time in history a controllable, heavier-than-air flying machine took off from a level surface on its own power and landed at the sa
First Flight Landing<br />75 words (¾-minute)<br /><br />This 3-foot-tall granite marker, located along a rubber mat walkway 120 feet north of the First Flight Boulder, marks the landing location of the first flight on December 17, 1903. The visitor center is to the northeast, the reconstructed camp buildings to the southeast, and Big Kill Devil Hill in the southern distance.<br /><br />The text on the marker reads:<br /><br />End of 1st Flight.<br />Time: 12 Seconds.<br />Distance: 120 Feet.<br />December 17, 1903.<br />Pilot: Orville.<br /><br />End of message.
Exhibit Layout: Landscape-oriented rectangular panel featuring a black band across the top. The black band has text that reads, “Wright Brothers National Memorial” and “National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.” The panel has a large black and white photograph in the background. The bottom section of the panel features text and a graphic depiction of the distances for the first four flights. Photo and Graphic Description: On the exhibit, a black and white photograph shows the first flight. The 1903 flyer is taking off from the launching rail with Orville on board as the pilot. Wilbur is on the right side of the flyer, close to the wing as it takes off. Tools and a small bench are seen in the foreground. The First Four Flights. Each flight and its path are shown with different types of lines. The path for the first flight is small dots and shows the flight lasting 12 seconds and traveling 120 feet. The path for the second flight is a small dashed line showing the flight lasting 12 seconds and traveling 175 feet. The third flight path is a longer dashed line showing the flight lasting 15 seconds and traveling 200 feet. The fourth flight path is a heavier, longer dashed line showing the flight lasting 59 seconds and traveling 852 feet. View from Wayside: The view behind the wayside looks down the length of the first flight line, with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th flight boulders within sight. Looking to the left, about 20 feet away is the first flight boulder. Directly to the right is the side of the reconstructed wooden hangar building.
Exhibit Layout: Landscape-oriented rectangular panel featuring a black band across the top. The black band has text that reads, “Wright Brothers National Memorial” and “National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.” The panel features a column on the right side with text and a photograph below it. Spanning the width of the panel, at the bottom, is a graphic depiction of the first four flights, their times and the distances they traveled. In the exhibit panel, a black and white photograph showing the 1903 Flyer in preparation for flight on the launching rail. In this image, the full flyer can be seen, and a man dressed in a suit and wearing a hat is standing at the front of the flyer. This graphic shows each flight and its path with different types of lines with small rises and falls in elevation. The path for the first flight is small dots and shows the flight lasting 12 seconds and traveling 120 feet. The path for the second flight is a small dashed line showing the flight lasting 12 seconds and traveling 175 feet. The third flight path is a longer dashed line showing the flight lasting 15 seconds and traveling 200 feet. The fourth flight path is a heavier, longer dashed line showing the flight lasting 59 seconds and traveling 852 feet. View from Exhibit: In front of you is a flat, grassy area. The entire first flight line, with markers, can be seen from this spot. Looking towards the left is the large first flight boulder. Straight ahead are the markers for the first 3 flights, spaced relatively close to one another. Looking towards the right, in the far distance, is the 4th and last flight marker.
The fourth and final flight on December 17, 1903 was the longest. Wilbur piloted the 1903 Wright Flyer 852 feet in 59 seconds. At the conclusion of this flight, the brothers knew they had succeeded, and planned on flying up to the postmaster's station in Kitty Hawk after lunch to send a telegram.
Fourth Flight Landing<br />91 words (1 minute)<br /><br />This 5-foot-tall granite marker, located at the northern-most portion of the walkway, marks the landing location of the final flight on December 17, 1903. A grassy field is to the west, the visitor center is to the southwest, and the camp buildings and Big Kill Devil Hill are in the southern distance. Twenty yards north, a tree-line indicates the northern border of the park.<br /><br />The text on the marker reads:<br />End of 4th Flight.<br />Time: 59 seconds.<br />Distance: 852 Feet.<br />December 17, 1903.<br />Pilot: Wilbur.<br /><br />End of message.
Outdoor exhibit. After four years of scientific research and rigorous experimentation, and with their 1903 Flyer on the rail, the Wrights are set to fly.
Exhibit Layout: Landscape-oriented rectangular panel featuring a black band across the top. The black band has text that reads, “Wright Brothers National Memorial” and “National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.” The panel features full panel image of an artistic rendering of the 1903 flyer as if the viewer is looking down the rail at the back of the flyer taking off. On the bottom left is a small block of text and on the bottom right is a large block of text. View from the Exhibit: Directly in front of the wayside is the reconstructed launching rail. Forty feet ahead is the first flight boulder and in the distance the first flight line. Exhibit Description: The exhibit panel is filled with a large drawing of the 1903 flyer as if it were in motion about to lift off. The view looks down the length of the launching monorail at the rudder and rear of the flyer. The propellers are blurred, indicating movement. Orville can be seen lying down, piloting the flyer in the center, while Wilbur is running along the right wing, holding on as it takes off. There are callouts pointing to the dolly, located below the flyer, and the Launch rail, which is below the dolly.
Exhibit Layout: Landscape-oriented rectangular panel featuring a black band across the top. The black band has text that reads, “Wright Brothers National Memorial” and “National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.” The panel has the main body text on the left side followed by three black and white images in a row to the right. The bottom half of the panel features a large black and white image that spans the width of the panel. Description of Background Image: The 1903 flyer is positioned on the left and the two wooden camp buildings on the right. The hanger door on the left building is propped open and one of the Wright Brothers is standing beneath the doorway. The door on the second, small building on the right, is open. The ground in front of the buildings is sparse and sandy. Image 1: A black and white photograph of a hangar with the door propped open. Beneath the propped door, 3 men are sitting on a cot and a fourth man is standing facing them on the right. A white tent can be seen behind the building on the left of the image. The caption reads, "The Wrights welcomed friends, who often helped with their glider tests, to their 1901 camp – their Outer Banks home." Image 2: A black and white photograph of their living space inside the structure. The space is clutter with small items and one of the brothers is standing towards the back of the room on the left side of the photo. He is holding a light-colored pot and nearby, on the floor, is an oven. On the right side of the photo the wings of a glider are seen butted right up against trunk, showing the tightness of the space. The caption reads, "Windy conditions make tent life difficult. The brothers moved into the hangar/workshop in 1902, but it made for cramped quarters." View from the Exhibit: Directly to the left of the wayside is a wooden structure with a large awning that leads to an open interior. The interior is a large, empty, open space. The outside of the building has supports extending from the sides, down to the ground. Running along the length of the building is a platform a few feet wide. There is a pipe protruding from the ground, emerging from this platform, just a few feet from where you are standing. Directly to your left is a similarly styled, wooden shed-like building. This structure has an open wooden door in the center of this side. The open door reveals a glass door allowing visitors to peer inside the reconstructed living space.
An outdoor exhibit about Wilbur and Orville Wright. They accepted Tate’s invitation and found that the Outer Banks of North Carolina not only provided hospitable people but also the conditions that they needed to fly – wind, sand, and solitude.
Exhibit Title: If you decide to try your machine here…you will find a hospitable people…-William J. Tate, Kitty Hawk Postmaster, in a letter to Wilbur Wright dated August 18, 1900. Exhibit Layout: Landscape-oriented rectangular panel featuring a black band across the top. The black band has text that reads, “Wright Brothers National Memorial” and “National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.” The panel features a large black and white image on the background, text in two columns across the top and 1 small black and white photograph to the right of the text. View from the Exhibit: In the distance, to the left is the hill with the Wright Brothers Monument atop it. To the right is the First flight sculpture. Directly behind the wayside, about 20 feet is the parking area and road. Background Image: A large black and white photograph of the 1903 flyer as it rests on the launching rail on the slope of the sandy dune. Behind the flyer to the right is a group of people. From left to right there are 2 men stand with a dog between them and a small boy stands next to them. Farther behind them is another man and a small boy, and finally a lone man stands farther to the right. Photo 1: A black and white photograph of a family posing for a picture on a porch. On the left side, a man wearing a hat, a light-colored jacket, and dark pants, sits in a chair with a small child in his lap. On the right side, in front of a window, an older woman in a dark colored dress is sitting in a chair. A younger woman in a white shirt and dark skirt stands just behind her right shoulder and a small girl stands in front of the woman, resting her hand in the woman’s lap. On the ground in front of them is a medium sized white dog with dark spots looking off to the left. The caption reads, The Tate family, on the porch of the Kitty Hawk Post Office.
Exhibit Title: In commemoration of the conquest of the air…Excerpt from the inscription on the monument atop Big Kill Devil Hill Exhibit Layout: Landscape-oriented rectangular panel featuring a black band across the top. The black band has text that reads, “Wright Brothers National Memorial” and “National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.” The panel features three columns of text on the top half. The bottom half features a large black and white image on the left and two smaller images overlapping on the right. View from the Exhibit: To the left, about 40 feet, is the first flight sculpture. To the right, about 15 feet is the road. Photo 1: A black and white photograph of 2 men and 1 woman, all well dressed in suits dresses, standing in front of a boulder with a plaque on it. The caption reads, Orville Wright, U.S. Senator Hiram Bingham, and Amelia Earhart attend the unveiling of the first flight marker, December 17, 1928. Photo 2: Colored photograph of the monument atop a hill. The hill is covered with hundreds of people. In the foreground is a replica of the 1903 flyer. The caption reads, More than 120,000 people, from all over the world, attended the six-day 2003 Centennial celebration that included an attempt to reenact the first flight. Photo 3: A black and white photograph of a sandy dune. At the base are a row of cars and a trail of people climbing the dune. The caption reads, At the 25th – anniversary celebration, more than 3,000 people, from the area, attended the laying of the cornerstone for the monument.
The accessible, pilot's facility includes a lounge with seating and computers to check weather conditions, as well as restrooms.
KFFA Pilot's Facility<br />80 words (¾-minute)<br /><br />The KFFA Pilot's Facility is a one-story structure with wraparound porch. Enter the structure from the north end, up four steps to the porch, or along a ramp to the left. There are benches on the porch to the left and right with the women's restroom at the end on the left side of the porch and the men's restroom at the end on the right. The First Flight Airstrip gate is just west of the KFFA Pilot's Facility.<br /><br />End of message.
The Loop Road at Wright Brothers National Memorial encircles Big Kill Devil Hill and provides amazing views of the memorial landscape, as well as access to the monument at the top of the hill, the commemorative sculpture, picnic areas, and the First Flight Airstrip.
The Loop Road at Wright Brothers National Memorial encircles Big Kill Devil Hill and provides amazing views of the memorial landscape, as well as access to the monument at the top of the hill, the commemorative sculpture, picnic areas, and the First Flight Airstrip. The Loop Road has ample parking for those wishing to drive closer to the monument, and is a great road to bike, run, and walk.
Constructed in 1933, the original entrance was demolished in 1979. The original gateposts remain, though no access is provided to the posts.
Original Park Entrance<br />33 words (½-minute)<br /><br />Located in a grassy clearing on the north side of Colington Road, the original granite entrance gateposts rest side-by-side in an east-west configuration. No access is provided to the posts.<br /><br />End of message.
Wilbur piloted the second flight on December 17, 1903, which lasted 12 seconds and covered 175 feet at an altitude of approximately 10 feet.
Second Flight Landing<br />76 words (¾-minute)<br /><br />This 3-foot-tall granite marker is located along the rubber walkway 175 feet north of the launching rail. To the east lies the visitor center and to the west lies a grassy field with trees beyond. The camp buildings are to the southeast with Big Kill Devil Hill in the southern distance.<br /><br />The text on the marker reads:<br />End of 2nd Flight.<br />Time: About 12 Seconds.<br />Distance: About 175 Feet.<br />December 17, 1903.<br />Pilot: Wilbur.<br /><br />End of message.
Orville piloted the third flight on December 17, 1903, which surpassed the first two flights by lasting 15 seconds and covering 200 feet.
Third Flight Landing<br />74 words (¾-minute)<br /><br />This 4-foot-tall, granite marker rests along the walkway 200 feet north of the launching rail. The visitor center is to the east and a grassy field and trees are to the west. The camp buildings are located to the southeast with Big Kill Devil Hill in the southern distance.<br /><br />The text on the marker reads:<br />End of 3rd Flight.<br />Time: 15 Seconds.<br />Distance: About 200 Feet.<br />December 17, 1903.<br />Pilot: Orville.<br /><br />End of message.
Exhibit Layout: Landscape-oriented rectangular panel featuring a black band across the top. The black band has text that reads, “Wright Brothers National Memorial” and “National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.” The panel has a large black and white photograph. In the center of the panel is a quote. The main body of text is located on the bottom left of the panel and there is a column of three photographs on the right. View from Waysides: Slightly to the right is the monument in the far distance, atop a big grass covered hill. Directly in front of the wayside is a large, flat, open grass covered field. Looking to the right, there is a pathway leading to brown, wooden shed like buildings. Description of Exhibit Image: A black and white photograph of a large, manned glider flying across the top left. Below the flyer is an aerial photograph overlooking the wide-open sandy, puddle filled landscape with two small wooden camp buildings in the distance. COLUMN OF IMAGES: DESCRIPTION #1: A black and white photograph that shows two men standing, in dark clothing, holding their hats to their head, another man sitting on the ground wears much lighter colored clothing and is to the right. In the background, is the shadowy figure of another person in the distance. The men are looking towards the sky as a large glider flies past them overhead. The area close to the men is hazy, indicating that the sand is being blown by a strong wind. CAPTION: Wind helped with lift. DESCRIPTION #2: A black and white photograph of a pilot lying prone on a glider as it sits on a sandy surface. CAPTION: Sand provided a soft landing. DESCRIPTION #3: Black and white photograph of the sandy dune. There is a lone group of trees in the distance and a few patches of grass in the foreground. CAPTION: The isolated location offered privacy from the public.
Bronze relief that features the portraits of Wilbur and Orville Wright. Across the top are reliefs of 3 types of Wright brothers’ gliders.
Bronze relief that features the portraits of Wilbur and Orville Wright, from left to right. Across the top are reliefs of 3 types of Wright brothers’ gliders. Starting from the left are the 1901, 1902 and 1911 gliders. There is text across the top that reads, “They Taught Us to Fly” and text along the bottom that reads, “Wilbur and Orville Wright”. This location overlooks the grounds of Wright Brothers National Memorial from the back patio of the visitor center. Directly in behind the plaque is a large, flat, open, grass covered field. In the far distance, is the Wright Brothers Monument atop a tall grass covered hill. There is a path to the right that leads to the hill. Also, to the right, are two wooden shed-like structures and the first flight line including the first flight boulder.
The Wright Brothers Monument is a 60-foot-tall, Art Deco style, granite monument that sits atop Big Kill Devil Hill-the primary location of the brothers' glider experiments.With a $213,000 budget, construction began on the monument in 1928 with the laying of the cornerstone during the 25th anniversary of the first flight. After Big Kill Devil Hill-which shifted continuously due to wind and weather-was stabilized by the Quartermaster's Corps in 1929, the construction began in
Wright Brothers Monument<br />403 words (3-½ minutes)<br /><br />Located at the top of Big Kill Devil Hill, the 60-foot-tall, granite monument is the tallest point at Wright Brothers National Memorial. With various concrete walking paths winding their way up the hill to the monument, the footpath around the monument is made up of small, square granite stones. <br /><br />The words "Wilbur Wright Orville Wright" are carved into the southern end of the monument. A quote reading "In Commemoration of the Conquest of the Air, By the Brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright, Conceived by Genius, Achieved by Dauntless Resolution and Unconquerable Faith" is carved 360 degrees around the monument, approximately 7 feet off the base. As you stand at the southern end of the monument, two busts of the brothers are visible at the base, Wilbur at right and Orville at left. A steel door at the base of the southern end shows various panels representing the history of aviation. <br /><br />The view from the monument looking west reveals the hill sloping down to the loop road with a coniferous tree-line just beyond the road. A portion of the First Flight Airstrip is also visible. The tree-line extends again beyond the airstrip with distant views of Albemarle Sound.<br /><br />Looking east from the monument, the hill slopes to the eastern portion of the loop road with a strip of coniferous trees just beyond. In the distance is the town of Kill Devil Hills with the Atlantic Ocean visible beyond.<br /><br />The view north reveals the hill sloping down to the north end of the loop road. Beyond the road is a large grassy field with a concrete walking path extending north to the site of the brothers' first powered flight. The walkway turns east-northeast past the camp buildings and toward the visitor center in the distance. The visitor center parking lot are in the northeast distance on the near side of the visitor center, with the towns of Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk visible beyond. The Atlantic Ocean is visible to the northeast. A coniferous forest is visible to the northwest.<br /><br />The view south includes a rapid, downward slope of the hill to a grassy area with the southern loop road beyond. Just beyond the loop road lies the bronze sculpture garden depicting the scene of the first flight. In the southeast distance lies Kill Devil Hills and the Atlantic Ocean. Albemarle Sound is visible in the distance to the southwest.<br /><br />End of message.
The park store is operated by Eastern National, an official non-profit partner of the. National Park Service dedicated to supporting the educational mission of Wright Brothers National Memorial. The park store has a wide range of books, media, educational games, and other items available for retail sale. These products complement the interpretive themes you experience when visiting the park.
The park store is operated by Eastern National, an official non-profit partner of the National Park Service dedicated to supporting the educational mission of Wright Brothers National Memorial. The park store has a wide range of books, media, educational games, and other items available for retail sale. These products complement the interpretive themes you experience when visiting the park.
The visitor center at Wright Brothers National Memorial is the best place to start your visit to the national park. The visitor center offers trip planning information, a park store, and detailed hands-on exhibits that bring the invention of the Wright Brothers to life. Not to miss, is the reproduction 1903 flyer in the Flight Room. Here, you can see up-close what the flyer looked like, and explore the workings of powered flight.
