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Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park

Three exceptional men from Dayton, Ohio, Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright and Paul Laurence Dunbar, found their creative outlet here through accomplishments and failures, and finally success. However, these men offered the world something far greater, they offered the world hope, and the ability to take a dream and make it a reality.

The Basics

Hours:

Hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm daily
Extended hours: Memorial to Labor Day until 6:00pm daily
Closed: Thanksgiving, December 25, and New Year's Day

Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center
2380 Memorial Road, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433
937-425-0008
Hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm daily
Extended hours: Memorial to Labor Day until 6:00pm daily
Closed: Saturday of U.S. Air Force marathon, Thanksgiving, December 25, and New Year's Day

Huffman Prairie Flying Field
Gate 16A off State Route 444, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433
Hours: 8:00am to 6:00pm Thursday through Tuesday
Closed: Wednesdays, Saturday of U.S. Air Force marathon
The prairie is on an active military base. Visitors should call the Interpretive Center at 937-425-0008 for field closures.

Dayton History at Carillon Park
1000 Carillon Boulevard, Dayton, OH 45409
937-293-2841
Hours: 9:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Saturday; noon to 5:00pm Sunday
Closed: Thanksgiving, December 25 and New Year's Day

Paul Laurence Dunbar House
219 Paul Laurence Dunbar Street, Dayton, OH 45401
937-224-7061
Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Saturday; noon to 5:00pm Sunday.
Please call ahead for information.

Address:

16 South Williams Street
Dayton, OH 45402

Phone:

937-225-7705

Phone:

937-425-0008

Fax:

937-222-4512

Directions

Visitors are encouraged to start their visit at either The Wright Cycle Company Complex or the Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center. Once arriving at one of the interpretive centers, visitors can receive directions to the other sites.

The Wright Cycle Company Complex is located west of downtown Dayton. From I-75 take the Third Street exit (Exit 53) and head west. Turn left onto Williams Street. The park is immediately on your left at 16 South Williams.
The Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center is located near the National Museum of the United States Air Force; at the intersection of State Route 444 and Kauffman Road.

Climate

Summer's average lows are 65 to 80° F and highs are 70 to 90° F. Hot, humid weather is possible. Winter's average lows are 5 to 20° F. and highs are 10 to 35° F. Heavier clothing and layers are appropriate.

Link to our Dayton Weather coverage for more information.

Fees

Free

Reservations

Reservations required for all school groups and large groups.

Things To Do

Whatever your time frame - Dayton Aviation is sure to have something for you to see and do.

The Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center and Aviation Trail Visitor Center and Museum, located at the corner of Williams and West Third Streets, hosts an orientation movie, a restored Wright brothers' print shop, and exhibits operated by the National Park Service. Ranger-guided tours of the restored Wright Cycle Company building, located at 22 South Williams Street, are available upon request. Large groups should call first for reservations, 937-225-7705.

Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center, located at Wright Brothers Hill, offers an orientation movie and exhibits on the Wright brothers' continuing experiments at the flying field, as well as advancements in aviation technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force base. Self-guiding facilities are available at Huffman Prairie Flying Field. Both sites offer ranger-guided tours. Large groups should call first for reservations, 937-425-0008.

If you only have an hour - take a ranger-guided tour of the Wright-Dunbar Village or the Huffman Prairie Flying Field.

Maybe your children would like to be Junior Rangers or enjoy one of our summer programs!

Make sure to explore the variety of exhibits and visitor services available at the Paul Laurence Dunbar House and Dayton History at Carillon Park. There are fees associated with these sites.

Guided Tours

Guided tours only available in the summer.
Reservations must be made for group tours.

Wright-Dunbar Village Tours
"A Community's Heritage"
May 26-September 3, 2007
Daily at 10:00am and 1:00pm
Join the staff of Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park for ranger-guided walking tours of the historic Wright-Dunbar Village. Visitors are advised to carry water on hot days.

Ranger Talks at the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center
Memorial Day through Labor Day
Saturdays at 2:30pm

Nearby Attractions

National Park Service Areas

William Howard Taft National Historic Site, 50 miles
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, 85 miles
Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial, 180 miles
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, 170 miles
James A Garfield National Historic Site, 195 miles

Other Attractions

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
National Aviation Hall of Fame
Wright State University Libraries Special Collections & Archives
Dayton Air Show

Link to our Dayton Attractions coverage for more information.

Places To Go

This national park in Dayton, Ohio, offers a rich diversity of resources that speak not only of America's past, but also to its present and its future.

The National Park Service operates two interpretive centers: the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center and Aviation Trail Visitor Center and Museum, and the Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center. These facilities provide an orientation to all park units and exhibits on the Wright brothers and Paul Laurence Dunbar.

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