Home Away from Home

Home Away From Home wayside

NPS

Wilbur and Orville Wright Lived and worked here during their 1901, 1902, and 1903 testing seasons, late summer through autumn. The reconstructed buildings in front of you depict the Wright brothers’ 1903 camp.  

Each year, the brothers refined their camp. In 1901, they built a wooden hangar/workshop (reconstructed on your right) for their glider and lived in a tent. They moved their living quarters into the hangar/workshop building in 1902. In 1903, needing more space for their flyer, the brothers built a large hangar (reconstructed on your left). 

The large photo on this exhibit shows the 1903 flyer, two wooden camp buildings, and one of the Wright brothers at the door of the hanger. The caption reads, "the 1903 camp."

One of the smaller photos on the exhibits shows a hanger with four men around a hanger. The caption reads, "The Wrights welcomed friends, who often helped with their glider tests, to their 1901 camp – their Outer Banks home."  

Another small black and white photo on the exhibit shows their living space inside the structure. The space is clutter with small items and one of the brothers is standing towards the back of the room. On the right side of the photo the wings of a glider are seen butted right up against trunk, showing the tightness of the space. The caption reads, "Windy conditions make tent life difficult. The brothers moved into the hangar/workshop in 1902, but it made for cramped quarters."