Dayton Aviation Heritage

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was created to celebrate one of the world’s most significant human stories: the mastery of controllable flight. Through perseverance and determination the Wright brothers and Paul Laurence Dunbar were able to overcome obstacles in their lives and leave their respective marks on history. The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, were bicycle shop owners and amateur inventors who became interested in aviation after hearing a lecture by balloonist Samuel Pierpont Langley. They conducted extensive research and experimentation, eventually developing the first successful powered flying machine. Paul Laurence Dunbar was an acclaimed African American poet who overcame poverty and racism to achieve literary success. His work brought him national attention, and he became a role model for future generations of black writers. The park commemorates these three important figures and tells the story of how their accomplishments helped shape the world we live in today.