Aviation Trail Visitor Center and Museum, Dayton

The Aviation Trail Visitor Center and Museum offers a fascinating journey through the history of aviation and parachute development, starting at the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center. Spread across two floors, the museum provides an immersive experience into what life was like in Dayton during the 1890s. Visitors can stand in the Wright & Wright Job Printers’ shop, meticulously recreated in the same office space where Wilbur and Orville Wright began their careers as printers.

The Wright brothers' journey into the printing business laid the foundation for their subsequent ventures. By 1892, they had expanded their enterprise to include a burgeoning bicycle business, showcasing their innovative spirit and entrepreneurial drive. The exhibits at the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center offer an in-depth look into these early years, highlighting the brothers' diverse talents and contributions to Dayton's local community before they embarked on their legendary aviation pursuits.

On the second floor of the Aviation Trail Visitor Center, the Aviation Trail Parachute Museum tells the riveting story of the development of the free-fall parachute. Originating at Dayton's McCook Field after World War I, the parachute has evolved into a critical technology for safely landing spacecraft. The museum's exhibits trace this evolution, demonstrating the significant advancements made in parachute technology over the decades.