|Dayton Aviation Heritage
WHAT DREAMS WE HAVE AND HOW THEY FLY
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE –
To dream, to fly – to have the courage to even contemplate that humans could leave their earthly bounds. (to believe that a son of slaves could posture himself in the literary world).
The human imagination found its highest expression in three men from Dayton, Ohio: Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright, and Paul Laurence Dunbar. The Wright brothers, first to fly a powered, heavier-than-air machine and creators of the first practical airplane, and Dunbar, who with his compelling new voice was the first African American writer to win high distinction in American literature. All three of these men overcame obstacles and failures to achieve success. However, these men offered the world something far greater, they offered the world hope, and the ability to take a dream and make it a reality.
Three exceptional men from Dayton, Ohio, Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright and Paul Laurence Dunbar, found their (creative) voice/outlet/triumphs through (accomplishments and failures) perseverance/hard work/determinism/finally success. HOW/WHAT/STRUGGLE/OBSTACLES
However, these men offered the world something far greater, they offered the world hope, and the ability to take a dream and make it a reality.
THE BIRTHPLACE OF AVIATION
Dayton, Ohio: Wilbur and Orville Wright, first to fly a powered, heavier-than-air machine and creators of the practical airplane.
The freedom offered to humanity through the ability to fly was accomplished through a long process marked by advances and setbacks, accomplishments and failures, multiple attempts, and finally, success. The Wright brothers' ingenuity, insight, and intelligence made it possible for them to invent the first successful airplane and provide the world with one of the most significant advances in history. However, these two men offered the world something far greater, they offered the world hope, and the ability to take a dream and make it a reality.
The park is a cooperative effort between the National Park Service and four partners. More
PLAN YOUR VISIT
HISTORY & CULTURE /CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
Dayton Aviation Heritage consists of four units that tell the stories of Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright, and Paul Laurence Dunbar. At the various units you have the opportunity to experience the historically refurnished Wright brothers’ printing office, walk through an original Wright brothers bicycle shop, see the Wright brothers’ third airplane, follow Wilbur and Orville’s footsteps at the Huffman Prairie Flying Field, and experience Paul Laurence Dunbar’s last home. All of these sites are National Historic Landmarks or are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Paul Laurence Dunbar, who with his compelling new voice was the first African American writer to win high distinction in American literature.
Paul Laurence Dunbar achieved national and international acclaim in a literary world that was almost exclusively reserved for whites. This gifted and prolific writer produced a body of work that included novels, plays, short stories, lyrics, and over 400 published poems. His work, which reflected much of the African American experience in America, contributed to a growing social consciousness and cultural identity for African Americans in the United States.
Students can view and print information packets providing information for reports and school projects. Activities are also available and include a Junior Ranger booklet. Participants will receive a Junior Ranger certificate when the completed booklet is submitted to the park. Educators can download two curriculum guides — one for primary and one for secondary students.
The Hoover block (now called the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center), built in 1890 on the corner of West Third and South Williams Streets in Dayton, Ohio, was not only the location of a Wright brothers' printing shop, but it is one of only two properties intact today associated with the brothers' printing careers. Wilbur and Orville started their careers as printers and operated firms in four different locations outside their home. They continued the printing business in conjunction with their bicycle and aviation interests until 1899 when the printing business was sold.
The other property associated with the Wright brothers' early careers is the two-story brick structure known as The Wright Cycle Company building located at 22 South Williams Street. In their Dayton bicycle shops these two men, self-trained in the science and art of aviation, researched and built the world's first power-driven, heavier-than-air machine capable of free, controlled, and sustained flight.