One of my 25 in 2025 items is to visit at least one National Park Site. I had four on the list for spring training and that trip got cancelled. We tried to stop and see Mississippi National River and Recreation Area when we were in St. Paul but couldn't find close parking. EAA didn't have the stamp for EAA National Park but I guess technically I was there. With the change in vacation plans, I was hoping to get to Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park while in Dayton. We had to pivot at the last minute but it ended up working out.
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park is located in Dayton and consists of several different locations throughout Dayton. Hours vary by location. Due to our limited time, we went to The Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center. It is open Wed-Sun 9-4. The early opening time worked in our favor. Other sites include The Wright Cycle Company Fourth Shop, Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center, Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site, Dayton History at Carillon Historical Park, and Hawthorn Hill.
The Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center is dedicated to the early years of the Wright Brothers. The ground floor shows the history of flight including a replica of the first plane.
Upstairs is a replica of the Wright Brothers Print Shop.
I learned that the Wright Brothers were fascinating men. I would have loved to have spent more time reading and checking out other sites. Maybe in a future trip. Who knew they owned a bicycle shop and a printing business before getting into airplanes. The Wright Cycle Shop is next door to The Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center and if we had more time we probably would have checked it out.
By far the highlight of the The Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center was the Aviation Trial Parachute Museum. This small one room museum tells the history of parachuters. The docent was an amazing man to talk to. The museum is in the process of moving to bigger location so all their items can be on display. The hubby was truly fascinated by this small museum. We even got to sit in a jump seat of a fighter plane.
I knew Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center was on Wright-Patterson AFB along with the National Museum of the US Air Force. I secretly hoped to check it out but really didn't have high hopes since the Air Force Museum was going to take hours to go through. Fortunately we got through the museum in record time and we could go check out the Flying Field Interpretive Center.
I wasn't entire sure Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center was going to be open but I figured we could at least see the Wright Brother Monument. Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center is open Mon-Fri 9-4. The app was telling me only Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It turned out it was open and I got another stamp. There is a small museum about the history of flying.
The Wright Brother Monument is across the road from the Interpretive Center.
Since we were already at the Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center and the actual flying field was about 4 miles away, we decided to go check it. The Flying Field is actually on the Air Force Base -- you just don't need to go through any check points. After following the signs and GPS through a wooded area, we came to a clearing which is where the Wright Brothers practiced flying. The original barn is still there. There is a walking path that you can follow with interpretive signs. It was too hot to do any kind of walking.
I was impressed with the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. I definitely want to check out the other sites especially Hawthorn Hill -- Orville Wright's Mansion.
If you love flying or airplane or even history Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park is worth checking out. It is very well done and there's a lot to see and do.
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