Orville and Wilbur Wright changed the course of human history in twelve seconds when they completed the first successful heavier-than-air powered flight on the sands of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903. But their journey to the skies began long before they set foot on the barrier islands of the Outer Banks.
Last year, we announced the official launch of www.WrightRoute.org a free online resource that connects the legacy of aviation of North Carolina, “First in Flight,” and Ohio, the “Birthplace of Aviation,” and puts the supposed “aviation rivalry” to rest.
We worked with our friends at the National Aviation Heritage Area, the First Flight Society and with the National Park Service at Wright Brothers National Memorial and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park to link the Wright brothers’ stories from North Carolina to Ohio and the states in between through virtual and in-person learning experiences.
WrightRoute.org provides a new way for you to experience a fuller picture of the Wright brothers’ lives and work and encourages aviation and innovation enthusiasts to travel between North Carolina and Ohio to explore the Wright brothers’ legacy.
Currently, major stops along the Wright Route include Dayton, OH; Cincinnati, OH; Norfolk, VA; Elizabeth City, NC; Kitty Hawk, NC; and Kill Devil Hills, NC. Many of the activities that are included as part of the Wright Route — or that can be done along the Wright Route — are inspired by the Wright brothers themselves, like biking, boating, camping, fishing, hiking, photography and more. The Wright Route also offers recommendations for museums and historical sites to visit as well as family-friendly experiences and excursions to have as part of the journey through the Wright brothers’ story.
We are excited to announce a new element in your Wright Route experience: an official Passport to Your National Parks® stamp! If you participate in the Passport to Your National Parks® program, you can earn new passport stamps for your travels along the Wright Route! When you travel to Dayton Aviation National Heritage Park and Wright Brothers National Memorial, you earn half of a dual Wright Route stamp; when the stamps from each location are put together, you get a whole image. These stamps are available in America’s National Park® bookstores at each national park.
To learn more about the Wright Route and begin your next aviation-themed adventure, please visit www.WrightRoute.org.
Wright Route is neither associated with, sponsored by nor maintained by a travel agency or a tourism bureau. It is a free online resource for educational purposes.