National Aviation Day

Soar into the first 40 years of flight, from the Wright brothers' historic liftoff to today's awe-inspiring technological advances. Experience the evolution of American aviation firsthand. In the museum, travel through one of the most miraculous periods of discovery in flight amid the iconic aircraft in our Heroes of the Sky exhibition. In Greenfield Village, celebrate the Wright family’s contribution to flight and the birthdays of Katharine and Orville Wright. Free for members or with museum or village admission.

Featured Programs

At Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

Hands-on Activities | 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Join us under the Douglas DC-3 plane as we celebrate the feats of flight. Learn about the principles of flight and create your own flying contraptions to test in our wind tube. Meet one of The Henry Ford’s presenters who is also a pilot and create a flight plan with her guidance. Plus, meet employees from Delta Air Lines!

In Greenfield Village

Special Tours of the Wright Home | 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Originally located in Dayton, Ohio, this home is where Wilbur and Orville Wright began their serious studies in aviation. Visit Main Street to tour the Wright Home, including an exclusive look at the upstairs.

Timed Tours of Wright Cycle Shop | 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Visit the shop where the Wright brothers built their earliest flying machines. Wright Cycle Shop will be open to visitors all day. At the times listed above, Jim Johnson, director of Greenfield Village and curator of historic structures and landscapes, will be offering more in-depth tours of the shop, including its upstairs.

Bringing the Wright Buildings to Greenfield Village | 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
At Detroit Central Market, Master Presenter Kirk Haas will give an educational talk about the process of moving the Wright buildings from Dayton, Ohio, to Greenfield Village.

Activities at Detroit Central Market | 9:30 a.m.-500 p.m.
Stop by the market to enjoy wind tunnel demonstrations, test your hand at making paper airplanes and take a photo with a Wilbur and Orville Wright cutout.

12-Second Races on the Village Green | 9:30 a.m.-500 p.m.
The Wright brothers' first flight at Kitty Hawk lasted 12 seconds and traveled 120 feet. Simulate that flight by testing your speed in a 12-second race on the Village Green.