The Wright Memorial, Wright Brothers Hill, Wright-Patterson AFB

Wright Memorial was dedicated August 19, 1940. In Ann Honious's book "What Dreams We Have- The Wright Brothers and Their Hometown of Dayton, Ohio", Chapter 12- Preservation Efforts and Memorialization, has some excellent information concerning the planning efforts of the Wright Memorial. Ann describes the memorial on Pg 224, "The design consisted of two prominent north-south and east-west axis. A seventeen-foot shaft constructed of pink North Carolina granite surrounded by three steps dominates the center of the memorial. Along one of the walls that encircle the shaft are four bronze plaques that discuss significant aspects of the memorial and the Wright Brothers. The subjects of the four plaques are the Huffman Prairie Flying field, the names of early aviators, the contribution of Wright-Field, and the prehistoric mounds located on the memorial grounds."

Wright Memorial, July 2014.

Wright Memorial, July 2014.

Mound Builders, centuries ago,  constructed at least six burial mounds at this site.

"Pioneer Flyers who were trained at Wright Brothers Field (Huffman Prairie)."

"One and One half miles east of this hill" is location of Simms Station- The world's first airport, Huffman Prairie.

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base directional arrow.

Colonel E. A. Deeds, good friend of Orville Wright, and Chairman of the Wilbur and Orville Wright Memorial Commission, is pictured below with Orville Wright, at the ceremony of August 19, 1940. Orville was presented the honorary pilot's license No. 1 at the unveiling of the monument. This license is currently on display at the Engineer's Club in Dayton, Ohio. For an amazing silent video of the day's events, see Orville Wright, and those honoring his and Wilbur's accomplishments at this NCR archives link, shared by Mark Morgan,  The Wright Brothers 1940 Memorial Dedication.

Dayton Journal Jan 31, 1948 issue of Highlights in Orville Wright's life, Col. E. A. Deeds speaking Aug 19, 1940. The Journal incorrectly listed the dedication date as Aug 20, 1941.

August 19, 1940 Wright Memorial program.

Orville Wright with E. A. Deeds at Memorial Ceremony.

Wright Memorial condition issues 74 years later, first week of July 2014. The concrete base beneath the North Carolina granite slabs had degraded over the decades, and allowed the slabs to slip out of alignment.

Wright Memorial NC granite.

Wright Memorial prior to renovation July 2014.

Wright Memorial base, July 2014.

Wright Memorial restoration work under way, second week of July 2014. Per the National Park Service, "the project has been coordinated with the State Historic Preservation Office in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act; work is to be completed by August 15th. The Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center is also undergoing some minor work this month of July.

Granite slabs set aside during restoration work.

Granite slabs removed for restoration work.

 

Wright Memorial restoration work under way, third week of July 2014. Loose mortar removed. 

 

Wright Memorial restoration work under way, last week of July. Granite slabs set back in place after new foundation poured and made ready. Drainage issues were addressed that existed from initial 1940 installation.

Sites at The Wright Memorial grounds, July 2014-

 

Adena Mounds.

Majestic Old Oak near Adena Mounds.

Scenic rock cliffs, trail at Wright Memorial.

Scenic trail at Wright Memorial.

Overlook for view of Huffman Prairie.

Wright Memorial.

Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center at Wright Memorial.

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