Announcements & Videos

Will Plentl, Soaring with the Angels

Will Plentl, Soaring with the Angels

It is with great sorrow that the First Flight Foundation shares the obituary for board president, Will Plentl. On Saturday, March 23, 2019, at the early age of 73, Will decided it was time to go flying with the eagles. He was born to the late Lt. Colonel Willard G....

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NPS WBNM Visitor Center Release

NPS WBNM Visitor Center Release

After two years WBNM welcome the public to the rehabilitated visitor center with a complete make-over in exhibits. This release provided detailed updates for the day's events, admission is free this day, October 20, 2018. 18-046 Wright Brothers Visitor Center Grand...

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The 1903 Wright Flyer Returns to WBNM

The 1903 Wright Flyer Returns to WBNM

Wright Brothers National Memorial, WBNM, welcomes its 1903 Wright Flyer "home" as the visitor center exhibit installation and building rehabilitation enters the home stretch toward the Grand Re-opening October 20, 2018. The visitor center re-opens October 20th 9:00...

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WBNM Visitor Center Re-opens Oct. 20th

WBNM Visitor Center Re-opens Oct. 20th

Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center, designated a National Historic Landmark in 2001, will welcome visitors October 20, 2018, as it re-opens after a two year rehabilitation and a delay from the original September re-opening date due to closing and...

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Wright Machines Interchanged at NC Museum of History

Wright Machines Interchanged at NC Museum of History

There was quite a sight today (June 18, 2018) in Raleigh, NC, at the NC Museum of History as the 1903 Wright Flyer moved out and the 1902 Wright Glider moved into the museum. The museum graciously hosted and displayed the 1903 Wright Flyer from the Wright Brothers...

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Taking Off-First Flight Live Stream

Taking Off-First Flight Live Stream

The First on the First!  December 1st, First Friday in Downtown Raleigh, our own Night at the Museum, Darrell Collins shared two First Flight programs. Collins shared the Wright story and the North Carolina Aviation story and made paper airplanes with 2,200 North...

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December 17, 2017 Commemoration

December 17, 2017 Commemoration

The 114th Commemoration of the First Flight- Sunday, December 17, 2017. Event Details and Schedule Location: The Tent south of the Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center (closed for renovation). All fees are waived for the day.  Park Hours 8:00-5:00 pm. The...

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The Monument 1932-2017

The Monument 1932-2017

Orville Wright, joined by his family, attend the dedication of the monument to himself and Wilbur. November 19, 1932. Tell me more! http://firstflightfoundation.org/the-monument/    

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Wright Brothers National Memorial Hosting Light Art Event

Wright Brothers National Memorial Hosting Light Art Event

News Release Date: September 26, 2017 Contact: Sarah Blizzard Merrill, 252-475-9033 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...

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WWII Aircraft coming to RDU

WWII Aircraft coming to RDU

NCDOT Release  September 22, 2017 RALEIGH –  Something special is coming to Raleigh-Durham International Airport on Oct. 19 for the public to experience – four genuine, still-flying World War II aircraft. The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation...

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Eclipse 2017

Eclipse 2017

The 2017 Eclipse is August 21!  A lot of information and misinformation is "out there". Visit the special eclipse page prepared by NASA for information, safety, and the science!  Next eclipse for the lower 48, is 2024. NASA ECLIPSE INFORMATION

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National Aviation Day 2017

National Aviation Day 2017

Established in 1939 by President Franklin D. Rosevelt, National Aviation Day is celebrated August 19th, the birthday of Orville Wright.  National Aviation Day recognizes the work of Wilbur and Orville Wright and the continued development and advancement of aviation....

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Osh Kosh 2017

Darrell Collins, A Legacy of Greatness, is a feature speaker at the museum at the 2017 EAA AirVenture in Osh Kosh.  Collins is scheduled for six programs at the museum and will be speaking in front of the reproduction of the 1903 Wright Flyer.  The First Flight...

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The Wright Brothers at NC Museum of History

The Wright Brothers at NC Museum of History

The North Carolina Museum of History debuted the new exhibit, The Wright Brothers, Dec. 17, 2016, in the permanent exhibit of North Carolina. The exhibit tells the Wright North Carolina story of 1900-1903, 1908, and 1911, and the monument construction at Wright...

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Partnership to Display the WBNM 1903 Flyer

Partnership to Display the WBNM 1903 Flyer

May 23, 2017.  The North Carolina Museum of History is the perfect partner for the care and display of the 1903 Wright Flyer during the renovations of the visitor center at the Wright Brothers National Memorial.  As the visitor center is closed (November 2016-fall...

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