National Aviation Day

Experience the evolution of American aviation, from the Wright brothers’ historic liftoff to today’s awe-inspiring technological advances. In the museum, travel through one of the most miraculous periods of discovery in flight amid the iconic aircraft in Heroes of the Sky. In Greenfield Village, celebrate the Wright family’s contribution to flight and take part in hands-on games and activities.

At Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

Heroes of the Sky | 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 
Let your imagination take off as you explore the early days of flight through historical artifacts and hands-on experiences. Sit inside four authentically re-created fuselages spanning 50 years of flight, walk the wing of a plane in our barnstormers flight simulation, test your paper airplane skills, take a photo under our iconic Douglas DC-3 and discover what’s possible when you shoot for the sky.

Hands-On Activities | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Join us under the Douglas DC-3 plane as we celebrate aviation feats. Learn about the principles of flight and create your own flying contraptions to test in our wind tube. Make a flight plan to travel throughout Michigan, just like a real pilot.

Story Time with Delta Air Lines | 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Visit the Arctic Alcove in Heroes of the Sky for story time with Delta Air Lines. We will read a selection of stories about perseverance and soaring to new heights.

At Greenfield Village

Aviation Activities at Detroit Central Market | 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Stop by the Wright Day booths 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.-5 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.

Expanded Tour of the Wright Home | 9:30 a.m.-5 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.

Expanded Tour of Wright Cycle Shop | 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Visit the shop where the Wright brothers built their earliest flying machines and enjoy a rare opportunity to see the shop's upstairs. 

Expert Presentations in The Lodge at Christie & Main

• “A New Home on Common Ground” with Kirk Haas | 11:30 a.m.
  Ninety years ago, in 1936, Henry Ford purchased the Wright Home and Cycle Shop and disassembled the buildings to move them to Greenfield Village. Revisit the story of the buildings’ move from Dayton, Ohio, to Dearborn, Michigan.
• “The Wright Sister” with Joann Hoppe | 1:30 p.m.
  Take an in-depth look at the life of Katharine Wright Haskell, the sister of Wilbur and Orville Wright.
• “Discovering New Wright Stories” with Kirk Haas | 3:30 p.m.
  Explore new stories of Wright brothers artifacts with insight into how those discoveries were made. Learn about the 1901 wind tunnel, the story of Wilbur’s kite experiments and more.