News & Events

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17 04, 2018

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 […]

27 12, 2017

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 […]

10 12, 2017

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 […]

1 12, 2017

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!

21 11, 2017

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!

14 11, 2017

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.

22 10, 2017

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.

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28 09, 2017

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 […]

21 08, 2017

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)

16 08, 2017

Happy 90th Birthday to Us!

The First Flight Society is 90 years old today.

In 1927, a group of forward-thinking northeastern North Carolina business and civic leaders began an effort to preserve the original site of the Wright brothers’ flights of December 17, 1903. The group formally organized on August 16, 1927, as the Kill Devil Hills Memorial Association and set about the task of acquiring the site where Orville and Wilbur Wright made their four historic flights in 1903. The Kill Devil Hills Memorial Association was formally incorporated in 1943. Its name was changed to Kill Devil Hills Memorial Society in 1951 and in 1966 changed to the First Flight Society.

The National Park Service and the First Flight Society share in our missions and purpose resulting in the benefit of a partnership effort that has endured since the Wright Brothers National Memorial became part of the National Park System in 1933. The First Flight […]