Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the
lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation
pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Through perseverance and dedication
Orville, Wilbur and Paul were able to overcome obstacles in their lives and
leave their respective marks on history. Start your visit at one of our
locations today.

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Through perseverance and dedication Orville, Wilbur and Paul were able to overcome obstacles in their lives and leave their respective marks on history. Start your visit at one of our locations today.

The main entrance to the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center

Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center

The main entrance to the Huffman Prairie Interpretive Center

Huffman Prairie Interpretive Center

An artistic mural etched out of the red brick wall at the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center entrance.

Wrights and Dunbar mural

The 1905 Wright Flyer replica during a demonstration flight.

1905 Wright Flyer replica

The replica 1905 hangar at Huffman Prairie Flying Field.

1905 Replica Hangar at Huffman Prairie Flying Field

The Wright Brothers Memorial at the Huffman Prairie Interpretive Center grounds.

The Wright Brothers memorial

A replica catapault system similar to what the Wrights used during their trials at Huffman Prairie.

Huffman Prairie Flying Field replica catapault

The main entrance road into Huffman Prairie Flying Field.

Huffman Prairie Flying Field entrance

The Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site in Dayton, Ohio.

Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site

The facade of the Wright Dunbar Interpretive Center on Third St.

Third St sidewalk in front of park

A front view of the building housing The Wright Cycle Company bike shop.

Wright Cycle Company Bike Shop

1902 Wright Brothers glider inside of the Wright-Dunbar Interp. Center

1902 Wright Glider

The Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center as viewed from Williams St.

Wright-Dunbar Interprevitive Center

Visitors walk and enjoy exhibits during the 2015 Aero Carnival event

2015 Aero Carnival

A view of the entrance to the Wright Cycle Company on Williams St.

Facade of the Wright Cycle Company

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park

Throughout his life, Charles Young overcame countless obstacles in his ascent
to prominence. In spite of overt racism and stifling inequality, Young rose
through the military ranks to become one of the most respected leaders of his
time. A well-rounded man with a steadfast devotion to duty, Young led by
example and inspired a generation of new leaders.

Throughout his life, Charles Young overcame countless obstacles in his ascent to prominence.  In spite of overt racism and stifling inequality, Young rose through the military ranks to become one of the most respected leaders of his time.  A well-rounded man with a steadfast devotion to duty, Young led by example and inspired a generation of new leaders.

The front of Youngsholm, the park's visitor center

Youngsholm, June 2020

The large stone boulder with Historic Plaque affixed to it, sits in the front yard of Youngsholm

Charles Young House Boulder

Charles Young poses for a portrait shortly before he was awarded the NAACP Spingarn Medal.

Charles Young Spingarn Award

Charles Young poses for a portrait with one of his horses as he is saluted by a young, unidentified boy.

Charles Young on his mount

Charles Young (far right) poses with his family, Ada Young (standing rear), Charles Noel (far left), and Marie Aurelia (sitting middle).

Charles Young and family

The 24th Infantry Buffalo Soldiers while in the Philippines, c.1902

24th Infantry in Philippine

Buffalo Soldiers of the 25th Infantry pose for a portrait near Fort Keough, Montana, c.1890.

25th Infantry in Montana

Troopers from the 9th Cav, K Troop posing for a group photo, c.1890.

9th Cavalry, K Troop

Buffalo Soldiers of K Troop, 10th Cavalry on the move in Chickamauga, Ga., c.1898

10th Cavalry, Troop K on the move

Buffalo Soldiers of the 369th regiment, Harlem Hellfighters, returning home from France during WWI.

Harlem Hellfighters

Buffalo Soldiers of the 93rd Infantry advance cautiously in a jungle somewhere in the South Pacific, c.1945

Advancing in the jungle in the South Pacific

The colorful stained glass transom above the main entrance door to Youngsholm

Stained Glass Transom

Youngsholm on a day of a Commissioning Ceremony in 2015

Youngsholm

Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th Cavalry take a company photo prior to being shipped out to the Philippines, c.1900

Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th Cavalry

Colonel Charles Young poses in class A's for a portrait

Colonel Charles Young

The bronze plaque that proclaims Youngsholm as a National Historical Site, mounted on a boulder from the Sequoia NP area

Sequoia Boulder

Buffalo Soldiers of the 25th Infantry pose for a photo at Ft. Keough in Montana, c.1890

25th Infantry Buffalo Soldiers

Youngsholm on the day of the park dedication, April 2, 2013

Day of Dedication

Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

Aviation is chock-full of tradition & history and nowhere will you find a
richer collection of aviation than here, the birthplace of aviation. From the
straightforward bicycle shops that fostered the Wright brothers' flying
ambitions to the complex spacecraft that carried man to the moon, the National
Aviation Heritage Area has everything you need to learn about this country’s
aviation legacy.

Aviation is chock-full of tradition & history and nowhere will you find a richer collection of aviation than here, the birthplace of aviation.  From the straightforward bicycle shops that fostered the Wright brothers' flying ambitions to the complex spacecraft that carried man to the moon, the National Aviation Heritage Area has everything you need to learn about this country’s aviation legacy.

The Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center located just west of downtown Dayton

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park

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Nearby Parks

Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

National Aviation Heritage Area