Thursday, February 5, 2009

Hawthorn Hill Tours


Hawthorn Hill
Are you captivated with the history of flight? Would you be fascinated by a glimpse into the mind of Orville Wright? Do you enjoy visiting beautiful, historic homes? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then Hawthorn Hill is the place for you!

Due to an exciting partnership between Dayton History and The Wright Family Foundation, Hawthorn Hill, the Oakwood mansion that Orville Wright called home for nearly 35 years, is available for educational tours. Dayton History will conduct the tours while the Foundation will continue to own and manage the stately property. This joint venture marks the first time that the structure will be accessible on a regular basis for members of the general public.

The building itself has had a long and colorful history of hosting distinguished visitors. Charles A. Lindbergh, internationally acclaimed for his 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, was invited to visit in June of that year on his return flight home to St. Louis. During his visit with Orville, throngs of people gathered on the lawns of the house, hoping for an impromptu view of this newest American hero. The unruly crowd dispersed only after Lindbergh and Orville appeared together on the front portico balcony for a few short minutes. Several years later, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and former Ohio Governor James Middleton Cox stopped at Hawthorn Hill to pick up Orville for a joint visit to Wright Field.

Even after Orville’s death in 1948, the mansion continued to welcome individuals from across the country and around the world. When efforts to find an individual to purchase the home failed, the executors of Orville’s estate listed the property on the real estate market. The National Cash Register Company, at the direction of executives Colonel Edward Deeds and Stanley Allyn, decided to purchase the property on the very day that the “For Sale” sign was placed in the yard. NCR meticulously cared for the home during its nearly 60 years of service as a corporate guest house. The company returned the property to the Wright family in 2006.

Hawthorn Hill Tours

Hawthorn Hill tours are conducted on Wednesdays and Saturdays for those who have made advance, prepaid reservations. Tours will depart Carillon Historical Park via shuttle van promptly at 10:00 and 12:30. This unique experience is very popular and space is limited to no more than 10 visitors per tour. Don’t delay! Make your plans now to visit this National Historic Landmark. The regular ticket price is $12.00 per person. A special combination ticket for admission to both Carillon Historical Park and Hawthorn Hill is available for $15.00 per person. Dayton History members receive a discounted ticket price of $10.00 per person. Call Guest Services for additional information or to make your reservation: 937-293-2841 or toll-free at 1-877-BE-HISTORY

1 comment:

Rue said...

Hi Carolyn :)

That looks like a great place to visit! Maybe this Spring :)

Glad to hear everything is getting better for you and your husband!

rue