First Flight Centennial Foundation and Campaign, Raleigh, North Carolina

About Us

Home

What's New

Monument Project

Pavilion

Events

Join

General Store

Official Sponsors

Official Licensees

Links

Contact Us

The First Flight Centennial Foundation Rise to the Occasion:
The Campaign to Celebrate the Centennial of Flight

Please click the images or text above to read more about The First Flight Centennial Foundation or the Rise to the Occasion® Campaign.

The First Flight Centennial Foundation

The First Flight Centennial Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) corporation, was formed in North Carolina to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first flight.

Our achievements to date include:

· Leadership. Former President George Bush is the National Honorary Chairman of the Foundation. Richard T. Howard of Greensboro, NC, is President of the Foundation.

· Commemorative Coin. In November 1997, the Foundation spear-headed a successful effort to secure passage of Federal legislation for a commemorative coin program. We are pleased that the U.S. Mint will produce a coin for 2003 honoring the Wright brothers and their achievement. Surcharges from the Commemorative Coin will benefit the Foundation and our objectives to improve Wright Brothers National Memorial and to share the story of the Wright brothers with a broader audience.

· Partnerships. The Foundation has a precedent-setting agreement with the National Park Service, and we are working in concert to accomplish needed capital improvements at the site of the first flight. Additional partnerships are being developed to ensure an outstanding celebration of the centennial through special events and observances.

Top of Page

rise.gif (17061 bytes) Rise to the Occasion:
The Campaign to Celebrate the Centennial of Flight

The First Flight Centennial Foundation Board of Directors has authorized our Rise to the Occasion® Campaign to secure the needed funds and partners to properly commemorate the first flight, the Wright brothers and North Carolina’s role in this historic achievement.

Our progress to date includes:

· Initial funding. The support of early donors totaling over $2.5 million has launched our Campaign and enabled us to develop a number of programs and partnerships. More importantly, we’ve completed our first project – restoring the Wright Monument at Wright Brothers National Memorial to its original grandeur and re-lighting its beacon.

· Distinctive Sponsorship Opportunities. Official First Flight Centennial® Sponsors are able to use the Foundation's trademarks in their own advertising and marketing, and have distinctive benefits including signage and VIP seating at the Celebration, dependant upon level of sponsorship.

· Leadership. Thomas H. Boggs, Jr., of Patton Boggs in Washington, DC, is Chairman of our Campaign Steering Committee. Mr. Boggs is joined by a distinguished group of leadership volunteers who are committed to honoring the Wright brothers and their achievement.

· Improving Wright Brothers National Memorial. The Foundation has completed a restoration and re-dedication of the Wright Monument, and delivered the architectural and exhibit design plan for a new Visitor Center. Plans for a new Visitor Center are on hold while the National Park Service evaluates the outcome of the current facility's nomination as a National Historic Landmark. Other priorities at the site that need our attention include repairing and renovating nearly 11,000 feet of trails, a new Pilot Facility for the 3,000 ft. First Flight Airstrip on site and renovating the Monument Plaza.

Top of Page

Post Office Box 80337 Raleigh, North Carolina 27623 Tel: 919-715-1362 Fax: 919-715-1382		Click to Learn More About Us or to Contact Us
email: info@firstflightcentennial.org