The Wright Brothers Memorial Review

Overall 4.00 of 5 view all 3 reviews

AngelaWLaFon
Big Island, VA

The Wright Brothers Memorial, Outer Banks, was worth the walk.

family traveler, interested in history, making learning fun

Pros

educational, inspirational, interesting, with fabulous views

Cons

kid friendly but not kid oriented, does require quite a bit of walking

JUN

2008

The Wright Brothers Memorial —

The Wright Brothers Memorial Park
Outer Banks
Kills Devil Hills, NC

As we reached the top of the hill where the Wright Brothers Monument towers, as if on cue the visor I’d been wearing all week blew right off of my head. My daughter said, “That’s why they came here to fly. It’s the windiest place on the Outer Banks.” I could not have planned a better demonstration.

If you enjoy history and a bit of walking, The Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, NC is a worthy visit.

The Wright Brothers Memorial Park is part of the United States National Park Service.

The park includes:

The Wright Brothers Visitor Center, where Wilbur and Orville Wrights’ stories are told through exhibits.

Displays include a full-scale reproduction of the 1902 glider, a full-scale reproduction of the 1903 flying machine, an engine block from the original 1903 Flyer and a reproduction of the Wright's first wind tunnel.

Even though as a teacher I have read quite a lot about the experiments of Wilbur and Orville Wright and seen many pictures, I was still really surprised by the size of the glider and in awe of the enormous task of manually controlling it.

In The Centennial Pavilion educational programs and movies are hosted. We were able to catch a 25-minute fairly interesting movie during our visit. The viewing is free but seating is limited and many viewers will have a bigger television in their own living room.

The Wright Brothers Monument stands a top Big Kill Devil Hill. The 60 foot Pylon stands where Wilbur and Orville Wright conducted their glider experiments. Completed in 1932, at the time the 60 foot monument was at the time the largest ever dedicated to a living person.

The Wright Brothers Monument has this inscription:

IN COMMEMORATION OF THE CONQUEST OF THE AIR BY THE BROTHERS WILBUR AND ORVILLE WRIGHT. CONCEIVED BY GENIUS, AND ACHIEVED BY DAUNTLESS RESOLUTION AND UNCONQUERABLE FAITH.

If you have watched the movie or read many of the exhibits the words “dauntless resolution” will seem earnestly deserved by Wilbur and Orville Wright.

If you are able, the walk to the top is worth the effort if only for the breath taking view of the ocean and the Outer Banks.

Also on the grounds of the Wright Brothers Memorial Park is a large granite boulder marking the spot where the first plane left the ground. Other stones mark the landing spots from the 1901, 1902 and 1903 flying experiments.

There’s also a replica of the hanger and the camp house where Orville and Wilbur stayed that I found to be rather impressive.

Schedule for The Wright Brothers Memorial Park:
Open daily except for Christmas.
Hours are 9-6 in the summer and 9-5 September through May.

Costs for the The Wright Brothers Memorial Park:
Adults are $4.00
!5 and under are FREE
Access Passes for the blind or permanently disabled are FREE
Senior Life Time Passes are $10.00

Passes are good for seven days so you visit more than once during your stay at the Outer Banks. There is also a gift shop and bottled water with a Wright Brothers Memorial Logo is available for $1.50.

One of my favorite quotes from the exhibits:

“From Kitty Hawk to the moon in 66 years…” Former Astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin

Wow. That’s a heavy thought.

My Viewpoint:

At the Wright Brothers Memorial Park, for only $4.00 my children and I enjoyed some entertainment, education, lots of exercise and breath taking views in Kill Devil Hills, NC. I’ll definitely visit again whenever I am on the Outer Banks.

Last edited on Jun 14, 2008

The Wright Brothers Memorial is recommended by AngelaWLaFon

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Comments about AngelaWLaFon’s Review

In response to steve9631's comment from Jul 11, 2008 at 7:22PM:

The Outer Banks of NC includes the beaches of Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Duck & probably more. Does that help? Thanks for checking out this review.

I've never been in the deep south. Where is the outer banks? Or what is the outer banks? Good review.

In response to Katrena's comment from Jul 7, 2008 at 11:56PM:

I am so glad:) We're glad we checked it out.

We went there a few years back also. They had a really great speaker--great personality. Nice review!

I am in awe of the Wright Bros who came from Dayton OH. They have a museum there and also the US Air Force Museum, very worth seeing with lots of Wright Bros stuff.

wonderful review sounds like a great trip.

In response to kid-kansas's comment from Jun 13, 2008 at 7:23PM:

It really is worth it:)

In response to MikeMaroon's comment from Jun 13, 2008 at 11:18PM:

You should write a review on it! I'll keep that in mind when I am in your area next month. Thanks.

Good show, ma'am! I love national parks. We have a great one, civil war related right near us, The Chickamauga National Battlefield. My have get over there and see that!