The Wright Brothers celebrated Wilbur’s 151st birthday visiting the fourth and fifth grade students at Dare County Elementary Schools April 16-17, 2018.
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News & Events
Visit Wright Brothers National Memorial During National Park Week
National Park Week, April 21-29, 2018, is an annual national celebration of people, parks, trails, heritage areas, national trails and rivers, seashores, historic sites, beautiful landscapes, and so many more places that are remarkable. National Park Week is a great time to connect with the vast network of national parks, which protect and preserve our natural and cultural history.
National Parks of Eastern North Carolina Superintendent David Hallac welcomes visitors and members of the local communities to visit Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial during National Park Week. Entrance to Wright Brothers National Memorial will be free on April 21. Entrance to Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is free year-round.
With this year’s National Park Week theme of “Park Stars,” all three of our Outer Banks national parks are offering special programs:
Wright Brothers National Memorial:
April 22-29 daily at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm
- Wind & Sand (and Stars!): Step back in history during this short walk to learn about aviation superstars Wilbur and Orville Wright and the lasting impact of their first flight (25 minutes). Meet at the reconstructed camp building.
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site:
April 22-29 daily at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm
- A Star-Crossed Colony?: There seems to be as many theories about the Lost Colony as there are stars in the sky. Learn more about the history and mystery (25 minutes). Meet at the reconstructed earthen fort.
April 27-29 daily at 11:30 am
- North Star & the Freedmen’s Colony: The North Star lit the way to freedom for many of those escaping slavery. For some the furthest north they had to reach was the Freedmen’s Colony on Roanoke Island (25 minutes). Meet at the reconstructed earthen fort.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore:
April 22-29 daily at 11:30 am
- Like a Guiding Star: The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has been a beacon of safe passage for mariners at sea. Learn more about this sentinel. Meet at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Pavilion. April 28 at 8:00 pm, Night Sky Over Hatteras: Bring blankets and chairs for this evening of stargazing on the beach (1 hour). Meet at ORV Ramp 43 parking lot and consider bringing bug spray.
National Junior Ranger Day is April 21. The Junior Ranger program helps children and families connect with parks in ways that engage them in exploring, learning, and practicing stewardship. Each national park site on the Outer Banks offers a Junior Ranger program for visiting youth. Check in at a park visitor center for a Junior Ranger booklet. There will be special Junior Ranger activities available from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Fort Raleigh NHS, Wright Brothers NMEM, and at the Cape Hatteras NS Bodie Island Lighthouse. If you can’t visit a national park on National Junior Ranger Day, you can still become a web ranger by visiting www.nps.gov/webrangers.
National Park Prescription Day is April 29. This is a day to harness the power of parks and public lands in contributing to a healthy society. To celebrate, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Wright Brothers National Memorial, in partnership with the Outer Banks Hospital, are offering two free Yoga in the Park events: April 29 at 10:00 am at Coquina Beach and April 21 at 10:00 am at Wright Brothers National Memorial (meet at the white tent). Bring a yoga mat or towel, sunscreen, and water.
For a fun and free way to learn more about the National Park Service during National Park Week, you can take an on-line 30-40 minute activity, Introduction to the National Park Service: The History of the NPS, available at www.provalenslearning.com. Completion of this course can provide teachers with 0.2 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits.
News Release from the National Parks of Eastern NC.
For additional information:
Cape Hatteras National Seashore: Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Twitter, and Web
Cape Lookout National Seashore: Facebook, Twitter, and Web
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site: Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Twitter, and Web
Moores Creek National Battlefield: Facebook and Web
Wright Brothers National Memorial: Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Twitter, and Web
Wright Brothers National Memorial to Offer Free Admission on Six Days in 2018
Wright Brothers National Memorial announced today that it will offer six days without entrance fees in 2018.
The 2018 entrance fee free days are:
- January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- April 21: First Day of National Park Week
- August 19: National Aviation Day
- September 22: National Public Lands Day
- November 11: Veterans Day
- December 17: 115th anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first flight
“2018 is guaranteed to be an exciting year at Wright Brothers National Memorial,” said National Parks of Eastern North Carolina Superintendent David Hallac. “Entrance fees will be waived on six fee free days, staff will continue working with our valuable partners to hold inspiring National Aviation Day and first flight anniversary events, and there will a grand reopening of the park’s visitor center next year.”
Bring your family and friends to Wright Brothers National Memorial, site of the first powered flight, and learn more about this great nation’s aviation history.
Entrance fees are not charged at Cape Hatteras National Seashore or Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.
One Week Until The Wright Brothers’ First Flight Anniversary Event!
On Sunday, December 17, 2017, the First Flight Society and the National Park Service (NPS) will continue the tradition of honoring the accomplishments of Wilbur and Orville Wright at the 114th anniversary celebration of the first heavier-than-air, controlled, powered flight. The event takes place at the tent area south of the Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center parking area and park entrance fees will be waived for the day.
Scheduled events for the day include:
8:30 a.m. – The observance begins with a patriotic musical prelude by the Northeastern High School Band from Elizabeth City, NC.
8:45 a.m. – The formal program will commemorate the Wrights’ achievement. Arthur Lamothe, President of the First Flight Society, will open the program; the Civil Air Patrol, NC and VA Wings will present the colors; Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technology will lead the pledge of allegiance; Graham Outten will lead the National Anthem; and NPS Superintendent David Hallac will welcome guests.
Joseph Vazquez, Major General of the Civil Air Patrol and Director of the First Flight Society will introduce the program’s keynote speaker – Brigadier General James R. Cluff, US Air Force, Vice Commander 25th Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lakeland Texas.
Dr. Tom Crouch, Smithsonian Institution Senior Curator of Aeronautics, will induct Elrey Borge Jeppesen into the First Flight Society’s Paul E. Garber’s First Flight Shrine. Elrey Borge Jeppesen is an aviation pioneer whose “little black book” of notes and hand-drawn diagrams grew into the Jeppesen Airway Manual, which is known and trusted by pilots all over the world.
Darrell Collins, former NPS Historian, will speak on Wright brothers’ achievement on December 17, 1903, and preside over the wreath-laying ceremony, which is conducted by descendants of the witnesses of the first flight to honor the Wright brothers.
10:35 a.m. – An aviation flyover by the United States Air Force will pay tribute to the Wright brothers at the documented exact moment of the Wrights’ first flight (weather dependent).
The temporary visitor center opens at 9:00 a.m. Park rangers will provide 15-25 minute interpretive talks on the park grounds at 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. Youth are invited to participate in the park’s free Junior Ranger program available throughout the day at the temporary visitor center.
114th Wright Brothers’ First Flight Anniversary Event Scheduled at Wright Brothers National Memorial
Today is #GivingTuesday!
Please join us in supporting the First Flight Society today, #GivingTuesday.
Throughout the year First Flight Society, Incorporated works to promote the Wright Brothers’ legacy and to educate future aviators in the wonders of flight.
What: #GivingTuesday
When: November 28, 2017
Where: Online at https://www.razoo.com/organization/First-Flight-Society-Incorporated
You can also like us on Facebook @FirstFlightSociety and Follow us on Twitter @KittyHawkDec17.
Donations are open and all donations count toward our #GivingTuesday totals!
Join Us for #Giving Tuesday Next Tuesday!
Throughout the year First Flight Society, Incorporated works to promote the Wright Brothers’ legacy and to educate future aviators in the wonders of flight. You can join us in supporting the First Flight Society for #GivingTuesday on November 28, 2017.
What: #GivingTuesday
When: November 28, 2017
Where: Online at https://www.razoo.com/organization/First-Flight-Society-Incorporated
You can also like us on Facebook @FirstFlightSociety and Follow us on Twitter @KittyHawkDec17.
Early donations are open so if you’d like to give now, all donations count toward our #GivingTuesday totals!
What If We All Gave On One Day?
What if we all gave on one day?
We can! Tuesday, November 28, the first day after Thanksgiving, is designated as Giving Tuesday, when our community will come together for 24 hours of unprecedented giving. You can support the First Flight Society – one of the non-profit organizations participating in #GivingTuesday – by saving the date to make an online donation November 28, 2017 at: https://www.razoo.com/organization/First-Flight-Society-Incorporated.
Use Giving Assistant to Save Money and Support First Flight Society.
It’s time for shopping to feel good again! You can turn every online purchase into a free donation for First Flight Society Incorporated just by using Giving Assistant. Giving Assistant shoppers earn as much as $700 cash back per year, and they donate a percentage of those earnings to organizations they value. Now, every purchase can result in a donation. Start donating with Giving Assistant today, and unlock deals like exclusive Kmart coupons, as well as big savings at Kohl’s, Best Buy, and more. With 3,000+ popular online retailers, your opportunities to save—and give—are endless.
Use Giving Assistant to save money and support First Flight Society Incorporated
https://givingassistant.org/np#first-flight-society-incorporated
Wright Brothers National Memorial Hosting Light Art Event
On Sunday October 1, 2017, Swiss Light Artist Gerry Hofstetter will illuminate Wright Brothers Monument as part of his Light Art Grand Tour USA. This special event is open to the public and admission to the park grounds is free from 5 to 10 pm.
Schedule of Events:
5:30 pm & 6:30 pm: Wright Brothers Ranger Programs at the covered tent
7:30 pm: Introduction to the Light Art by artist Gerry Hofstetter at the base of Big Kill Devil Hill in the light art viewing area (as directed by National Park Service rangers)
8:00 – 9:30 pm: Light art show viewing from the base of Big Kill Devil Hill in the viewing area (see above)
What to Bring:
Please bring flashlights or headlamps to help you safely navigate the park after dark. There will be limited lighting available and most of the event takes place after sunset. You are welcome to bring chairs, blankets, snacks and drinks.
Information from the Artist about the Light Art Grand Tour
“World-renowned Swiss Light Artist Gerry Hofstetter and his daughter Céline Hofstetter of Hofstetter Inc. Los Angeles present Light Art Grand Tour USA – 50 US Monuments in the Spotlight – Exploring history and friendship from 2017 to 2019. In partnership with the premier event company Hayes Group, they will travel to all 50 states to put the roots and history of the USA in the spotlight.
The “Light Art Grand Tour USA” will feature one U.S. monument/landmark per state and for one night project a free public light art performance for around 2 hours to highlight the friendship between US and Switzerland.
The pioneering spirit of the “Light Art Grand Tour USA” characterizes America’s history. The monuments featured in this extraordinary Light Art Tour will recall the history surrounding each individual location. Each one is an important piece in the jigsaw puzzle making up the founding of the United States of America and plays a role in fostering friendships with other countries, including Switzerland.
Informations and illumination schedule see www.grandtour-usa.ch
National Aviation Day 2017
Here are photos from National Aviation Day at Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, NC on Saturday, August 19th, 2017. First Flight Society would like to thank all the participants, volunteers and spectators who joined us for a beautiful day at the park!
(Photos by First Flight Board Member Bill Douglas)