On July 8,2012 we visited our 2nd Park in our 2nd State.  Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, 16 South Williams St., Dayton, Ohio.  http://www.nps.gov/daav/index.htm  Or as it makes more sense to me, it is the home of the Wright Bros., and this historic site does a good job of explaining their background and how they invited the airplane.

Ok, here we are, let's go in....

With this park and is the case with most of the parks, they are free and have a movie.  I like to see the movies.  I learn more and quicker than reading the volumes of words on the wall.  There is a 20 minute movies here than explains how the Wright Bros. got involved in aviation clear to how they put a engine on their glider.  This is not Kitty Hawk!!

I guess this is where the Heritage comes in.  Melissa says this show things that were invented in Dayton.

This is a replica of the glider flown at Kitty Hawk.  I was surprised to learn many many people and even countries were racing to be the first to fly.  One of the Wright Bros first achievements that led to manned flight was controls on the glider.  The used not only their hands and arms which controlled the wings, and their feet and legs to control the tail, but their torso/hips.  You can see the wooden half moon piece in the picture.  This was moved by the hips to turn the glider. They could now go up and down, right and left.  Next came the engine!!

Of course, everyone knows the Wright Bros owned a cycle shop.  The park is centered around one of their cycle shops.  The park felt it was significant to let everyone know that at one time the Wright Bros were in the printing business, too.

Not only did the Wright Bros fix and repair bicycles, but manufactured two lines of bicycles.  On one of the display airplanes they show how many bicycle parts were on the plane, chains, gears, and even pedals!

The physical plant of this park won't blow you away, but the history, genus and contribution to aviation of the Wright Bros and the way it is presented will.

Well it is off to another park.  Sure did enjoy this one!!