Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

All clear. The managing agency, the National Weather Service and wildfire reporting show no current alerts.

Overview

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.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Biking
  • Road Biking
  • Guided Tours
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center: The Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center is located just west of downtown Dayton on South Williams Street, directly south of Third Street. Interpretive displays, interactive exhibits and the park introductory film are all available at the WDIC. A small gift shop is also on site and is stocked with souvenirs and books related to the Wrights and Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Huffman Prairie Interpretive Center: Located on an active U.S. Air Force base (Wright Patterson AFB), the Huffman Prairie Interpretive Center provides visitors with a closer look at the aviation side of the Wright Brothers story.

Paul Laurence Dunbar House Hours: The Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site is currently open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Getting there

Located in west-central Ohio, the park is easily accessible via I-70, I-75 or US Route 35. The main park visitor center, Wright Dunbar Interpretive Center, is located at S. Williams St. and W. Third St. in Dayton.

Visitor centers

Weather

The park lies in a humid continental zone with a generally temperate climate. Winters are mildly cold with average temperatures around 39 degrees (F). Summers are hot and humid with an average temperature around 74 degrees (F). Average annual total rainfall is just above 41". Snowfall in the winter is generally light with an average total snowfall of about 25".

Phone: 937-345-0433

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

A two-story brick building with tall windows and shutters on them with sign "The Wright Cycle Co."
Wright Cycle Company Bike Shop · NPS / Ryan Qualls
A brick wall with artwork of three men and an airplane etched out of the brick.
Wrights and Dunbar mural · NPS / Tom Engberg
A one story stone building with a small tower jutting out of the middle and three people walking out
Huffman Prairie Interpretive Center · NPS / Tom Engberg
A tall gray stone monolith with a brown bronze plaque affixed to the front with trees in background
The Wright Brothers memorial · NPS / Tom Engberg
The fog lifts as the suns rays peek through the mist revealing a wood-frame hangar and flag pole.
1905 Replica Hangar at Huffman Prairie Flying Field · NPS / Ryan Qualls
A long wood and steel rail leading to a pyramid tower structure in the background.
Huffman Prairie Flying Field replica catapault · NPS / Tom Engberg

Pair it with