New Postage Stamp
Wright Brothers First Flight Honored
May, 2003
Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce
Outer Banks
The U.S. Postal Service will issue a 37-cent First Flight commemorative postage stamp to mark the 100th anniversary of the first controlled, powered, sustained flight in a heavier-than-air flying machine. The official first day of issue ceremony for the First Flight stamp will take place in two cities on May 22. The stamp will be issued at 10:30 a.m. ET at both the United States Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio, and the Wright Brothers National Memorial Park in Kill Devil Hills, N.C.The First Flight stamp will be available for sale at post offices in Dayton and Kill Devil Hills on the day of issuance and at post offices nationwide starting the following day.
Eighty-five million self-adhesive First Flight stamps will be printed and made available in a souvenir sheet of 10 stamps of one design. The stamp illustration by McRay Magleby of Provo, Utah, depicts Orville Wright at the controls of the 1903 Wright flyer. Text at the bottom of the design reads: "First Flight ? Wright Brothers ? 1903." The front of the souvenir sheet features a detail of a photograph of Orville and Wilbur Wright taken in Pau, France, in 1909.
In addition to the souvenir sheet of 10 stamps, the following philatelic products will be available at Postal Stores and by toll-free phone order at 1 800 STAMP-24: Cancellation Keepsake including a First Day Cover and pane of the First Flight stamps ($5.20); First Day Cover ($0.75); Commemorative Panel ($8.75); and Matted Print Keepsake ($27.95).
Lighthouse Re-Opens
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
May, 2003
Cheryl Shelton-Roberts
Outer Banks Lighthouse Society
Outer Banks
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse re-opened to the public on Friday, April 18, 2003. Entrance to the lighthouse is on a scheduled tour basis. The lighthouse will be open through the fall.
Lighthouse tours begin at 9 a.m. daily and run every 20 minutes until 5 p.m. with a limit of 60 visitors per tour. Tour fees are $4.00 for adults and $2.00 for senior citizens (62 or older), children (12 and under), and those holding Golden Access passes.
Upon purchase, each visitor will receive a ticket indicating the date and time of their tour. Visitors should line up at the lighthouse gate five minutes before their tour time and present their tickets for entry.
The ticket booth at the lighthouse opens at 8 a.m. daily. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis and are only available at the ticket booth on site. Tickets are only available for the day of purchase. Advance ticket sales are not available to the public or commercial tours. Tours will likely sell out by noon each day, so visitors should plan to arrive early to purchase their tickets.
Annual passes are $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens, children, and those holding Golden Access passes. Holders of annual passes also have to pick up tickets at the fee booth in order to reserve a spot on one of the tours.
Some tours may be booked in advance for school groups. These tours will be limited to 10:00, 10:20, and 10:40 a.m. and 2:00, 2:20 and 2:40 p.m. School group tours can be scheduled by calling the Hatteras Island Visitor Center between 9 am. and 5 p.m. daily at (252) 995-4474. Educational fee waiver requests must be submitted in advance to: Fee Manager, NPS, Outer Banks Group, 1401 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC 27954.
This article was brought to you by The Outer Banks Lighthouse Society (OBLHS), a private, non-profit,
all-volunteer organization,
advocates the preservation of the history and artifacts of the U.S.
Lighthouse Service.
Outer Banks
Centennial of Flight
Special Events
December 17, 2003
Staff Report
Outer Banks
The Wright Brothers left their footprints in the North Carolina sand and their mark on the world.
Their remarkable achievement ranks among the most significant moments in human history. It made our world smaller and broadened our perspective on places, people and our own potential. It dramatically transformed the way we live and how we work. The Wright Brothers gave us not only flight, but with it the promise of higher possibilities and greater dreams.
Experimental Aircraft Association’s [EAA] Countdown to Kitty Hawk Touring Pavilion is an impressive interactive exhibit visiting U.S. cities and events throughout 2003 and into 2004. The 24,000 square-foot exposition celebrates the invention of first flight and the ensuing possibilities that wondrous achievement launched.
The touring pavilion showcases EAA’s accurately reproduced 1903 Wright Flyer, while documents on display are drawn entirely from the Library of Congress collections. This story is further brought to life through a theatrical re-enactment with actors portraying Orville and Wilbur to give visitors spirited insight into their remarkable discovery.
First Flight Centennial Celebration - December 17, 2003
- Reenactment of the Wright Brothers’ first flight at 10:35 a.m. on Dec. 17, 2003, in Kill Devil Hills, NC, exactly 100 years to the minute after the historic event.
- Pilot to be announced at a future date. Pilot and participants will wear authentic dress of the period.
- EAA’s 1903 Wright Flyer reproduction will be the only plane permitted by the National Park Service to fly at the Wright Brothers National Monument on that day and time.
First Flight Centennial Celebration - Schedule for December 17, 2003
- 10:35 a.m. on December 17, 2003 — the to-the-minute 100th anniversary of the first flight. The eyes of the world will look to Kitty Hawk. EAA and Ford Motor Company, through a special partnership with the National Park Service, will re-create the Wright Brothers’ first flight at the Wright Brothers National Memorial by flying the authentic reproduction of the immortal 1903 Flyer. This historic re-enactment is an extraordinary tribute to the Wright brothers and to the legacy they left behind.
- 12:00 P.M. — The EAA’s Young Eagle program—a multi-year initiative to fly one million kids before the centennial of flight—will culminate with retired Brigadier General Chuck Yeager’s flight of the one-millionth Young Eagle.
- 2:00 P.M. — The second flight of EAA’s 1903 Wright Flyer Reproduction will commemorate the Wright’s fourth and final flight of their Flyer on December 17, 1903. Following will be another round of historically significant aircraft fly-bys
Special thanks to EAA for providing the material used in this article. You may contact EAA at their address in Oshkosh, WI. EAA Aviation Center P.O. Box 3086 Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086 Phone: 920.426.4800
Centennial Tickets
On Sale
Event Tickets Available
May, 2003
National Park Service
Outer Banks Group
Contact: Mary Doll (252) 473-2111 ext. 154
Tickets For First Flight Centennial Events Now On Sale
To purchase tickets use either the Toll Free Phone Number: 1-800-973-7327 (Use prompt 1 to get into Reservation System and Prompt 9 to get you to Wright Brothers) or the Reservation website: http://www.wrightbrothers.reserveworld.com . Telephone callers outside the U.S. should use (301)722-1257.
Individual one-day tickets will be $10 per day. As an incentive, if an individual adult purchases entrance tickets for all five days at the time of original purchase, the package price will be a one-time fee of $25. Children under 12 are free but require a ticket for admission.
Senior citizens and disabled individuals may purchase a daily ticket for $5 each. Incentive package price for all five days is $20. Special rates have also been established for commercial tour groups.
Ticket Prices
First Flight Celebration
National Park Service Anouncement
March 2003
Outer Banks Group
National Park Service Announces Ticket Price Structure for First Flight Centennial Celebration
Lawrence A. Belli, Superintendent, Outer Banks Group, National Park Service announced today the fee structure for tickets to the First Flight Centennial Celebration. The celebration is being held at Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills, NC on Dec 13-17, 2003.
Advanced ticketing is needed help determine requirements of infrastructure management, such as parking, transportation, and security. "It's our goal to keep ticket prices affordable and yet have a way to determine in advance attendance for each day of the celebration," Belli added.
Advance tickets should be available for purchase in mid-April by mail and through the web. "As soon as approvals are finalized and the ticketing system in place, information on purchase options will be distributed to the public through media outlets and First Flight Centennial websites," stated Belli.
Individual one-day tickets will be $10 per day. As an incentive, if an individual adult purchases entrance tickets for all five days at the time of original purchase, the package price will be a one-time fee of $25. Children under 12 are free.
Senior citizens and disabled individuals may purchase a daily ticket for $5 each. Incentive package price for all five days is $20. Special rates have also been established for commercial tour groups, as indicated below:
| Daily | Package Price
12/13-17/03 |
| Adult | $ 10 | $ 25 |
| Senior Citizen | $ 5 | $ 20 |
| Golden Access | $ 5 | $ 20 |
| Children under 12 | Free | Free |
| Commercial Tour Buses | $ 500 | $1,550 |
"The First Flight Centennial is an event that celebrates not only the success of Wilbur and Orville Wright, but also the inventiveness and tenacity of the American Spirit," stated Belli. "Our need to ticket must be balanced with the capacity to make this event affordable to any American that wants to attend. We invite the world to join us in honoring the Wright brothers' historic feat and celebrating the impact of aviation on the course of history."
National Park Service
Outer Banks Group
1401 National Park Road
Manteo, NC 27954
Bodie Island Lighthouse
HGTV/National Trust for Historic Preservation Partnership
July 2003
Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce
Outer Banks
Bodie Island Lighthouse is to be featured in HGTV/National Trust for Historic Preservation Partnership
Preservation of the Bodie Island Lighthouse will take a high profile through an exclusive partnership between two of the most respected names in restoration and preservation: Home & Garden Television (HGTV) and The National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Bodie Island Lighthouse is part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
"Restore America: A Salute to Preservation" is a new public affairs initiative created to raise awareness and generate support for saving America's most beloved and historic places. Inspired by the popular HGTV series Restore America, the initiative recognizes the restoration efforts at 12 national sites through the network's on-air and on-line programming. HGTV also is donating $1 million to the National Trust to go toward the restoration and preservation of these selected sites.
HGTV will salute one of the restoration sites every month for the first year, beginning July 4, 2003, with one-minute vignettes that will air at various times throughout each day. Each of the sites also will be featured in longer segments as part of the regular Restore America series, now in its fifth season on HGTV. In addition, the national television network will present two Restore America specials, one in July 2003 and the other in 2004.
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Centennial Events
Special Events Listing
Updated Throughout 2003
Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
Outer Banks
MAY 2003
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF CAPE HATTERAS NATIONAL SEASHORE Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. An events is being planned throughout the Seashore to celebrate this occasion. For details call the National Park Service at 252-473-2111
MAY 20 US CENTENNIAL OF FLIGHT MEETING
On Tuesday, May 20 we are pleased to host the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission and Advisory Board quarterly meeting at Wright Brothers National Memorial from 1-4 p.m. This meeting is open to the public.
MAY 21 FIRST FLIGHT PAVILION RIBBON-CUTTING
The National Park Service and First Flight Centennial Foundation cordially invite you to join us for the First Flight Centennial Pavilion Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony on Wednesday, May 21 at 10:00 a.m. at Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills, NC. Please RSVP to info@firstflightcentennial.org by May 5. If you need additional information please call Ferg Norton at 919-717-1362.
JUNE 5, 2003
NORTH CAROLINA SYMPHONY ON THE OUTER BANKS Roanoke Island Festival Park. Outer Banks Visitors Bureau presents the North Carolina Symphony. Roanoke Island Festival Park. Flight Inspired compostions and classical tunes. Free Admission.
JUNE 9, 2003
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD BAND CONCERT Wright Brothers National Memorial, 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Evening of family fun. The Coast Guard Band has established an international reputation as one of the five premier service bands of the United States. Its 45 members are official representatives of the Coast Guard,established in 1790 as the United States' oldest continuous seagoing service.
JUNE 14 -15, 2003
25TH ANNUAL WRIGHT KITE FESTIVAL Wright Brothers National Memorial.Festival enjoyed by all ages with casual competitions for kids and adults.Participate in stunt kite demos,games and contests.Kids can make and fly their kites at the base of the Memorial where flight began. Events start mid-morning and continue through the afternoon. Open to the public.For more information call Kitty Hawk Kites, 877-FLY-THIS (359-8447)
JUNE 21 -24, 2003
27TH ANNUAL AIR RACE CLASSIC Dare County Regional Airport. An all women ’s cross-country air race for stock airplanes under 570 horsepower. This year's race starts in Pratt, KS and ends with a timing line fly-by at Wright Brothers National Memorial, landing at the Dare County Regional Airport,Manteo,NC. Racers will spend three days on the Outer Banks after completing the race. For additional information call the Dare County Regional Airport 252-473-2600
JULY 4, 2003
SOARING SOCIETY (GLIDERS) CROSS COUNTY FLIGHT FINALE CEREMONY The Return to Kitty Hawk: Transcontinental Glider Race is a ten-leg gliding race with approximately 50 competitors, both national and international. Race begins in the Los Angeles area on June 17 and finishes at the Dare County Regional Airport, with a ceremonial ending at the Wright Brothers National Memorial on July 3. For more info, call the Dare County Regional Airport, 252-473-2600
JULY 6 -9, 2003
RE/MAX BALLOON CELEBRATION Wright Brothers National Memorial. This Balloon celebration begins in Dayton, OH and the race ends at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, NC (wind permitting) or the balloon closest to the Wright Marker. Cash purse for the gas balloon division.
JULY 26 - 28, 2003
EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION ’S (EAA) AIR VENTURE CUP Dare County Regional Airport. Replicating the excitement of the Bendix Trophy Races of the 1930’s, the EAA AirVenture Cup Race unites aviation’s rich history with its promising future. The race course brings together aviation’s most historic place, Kitty Hawk, the site of the first powered flight, and the current home of recreational aviation, EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Seventy-five experimental aircraft will participate in the cross-county air race, with trophies awarded in 5 categories. Race begins at Dare County Regional Airport/First Flight Airstrip with stopover in Dayton and then onto Oshkosh, WI. Pilot breakfast on Sunday morning at a nominal cost. Open to public.
AUGUST 19, 2003
NATIONAL AVIATION DAY (ORVILLE WRIGHT ’S BIRTHDAY) Wright Brothers National Memorial. Fly-bys, vintage aircraft display, living history reenactments, speakers to be announced.Open to the public.
AUGUST 25, 2003
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOUNDER ’S DAY Wright Brothers National Memorial.Featuring NPS Historic Aircraft and speakers honoring the founding of the National Park Service.
SEPTEMBER 1 -DECEMBER 31, 2003
PUSHING THE LIMITS:AVIATION FLIGHT RESEARCH AS SEEN THROUGH THE NASA ART PROGRAM Outer Banks History Center Gallery. This art exhibit describes the history of flight-research at NACA and NASA through the paintings in the NASA Art Program.The works feature pilots and their aircraft that routinely pushed the limits, expanding the boundaries of flight. For more information on this art exhibit call Outer Banks History Center, 252.473.2655.
SEPTEMBER 5, 2003
BILLY MITCHELL ON HATTERAS ISLAND Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, Hatteras Village, NC. Join us in honoring the memory of General Billy Mitchell.This famed, often-controversial Army Air Service officer demonstrated his theories of military air superiority off the coast of North Carolina on September 5,1923, by destroying the decommissioned battleships USS New Jersey and USS Virginia. This event became a major milestone towards the use of air power, and was one of the major factors leading to the establishment of the United States Air Force.In honor of General Mitchell and his achievements,a ceremony is planned at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum,including tours of the special centennial exhibit, “Mitchell On Hatteras,” fireworks and an outdoor barbecue by the sea. For more information on this event, please call 252-995-6956.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2003
AMERICAN HERO, AMERICAN LEGEND Hatteras Island. Undaunted, unconquered, unfaltering are words that are commonly used to describe those who cherish freedom, and a character uniquely American. Join us September 26th to celebrate the history of a real American hero and profit of air power; General Billy Mitchell. A number of exciting activities are being planned for several locations on Hatteras Island. For more information, call 252-995-6956.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2003
MONUMENT TO A CENTURY OF FLIGHT Kitty Hawk next to Aycock Brown Welcome Center. ICARUS International unveils their Monument to a Century of Flight honoring aviation pioneers from the last 100 years and celebrating our future generations with a monument that recognizes their achievements and their gift to humanity now and forever. For information call 252-441-6584.
OCTOBER 10 -11, 2003
COMMEMORATING THE 1902 WRIGHT BROTHERS GLIDER FLIGHTS Wright Brothers National Memorial.For more information on this event call Kitty Hawk Kites 877-FLY-THIS (359-8447).
NOVEMBER 14-15, 2003
KILL DEVIL HILLS 2003 ANNIVERSARY CARNIVAL Come and join the Town of Kill Devil Hills - the town where flight began -as they celebrate their 50th Anniversary with a family-oriented,multi-ride and event carnival. For additional information, please call the Town at 252-449-5300.
DECEMBER 12, 2003
IGNITING THE IMAGINATION This day is designed to inspire the next generation of aviators by engaging children of all ages in the power of flight. Highlights include interacting with NASA, interviews with the Wright Family children; Candy Bomber demonstrations; and a chance to soar with the EAA Young Eagles.
DECEMBER 13 - 14, 2003
REMEMBER THE PAST, IMAGINE THE FUTURE This two-day festival will celebrate aviation's impact over the last century and will feature appearances by historic aviators; exhibits chronicling the history of flights; aircraft demonstrations; and entertainment.
DECEMBER 15, 2003
PROTECTING THE HOME OF THE BRAVE Celebrating the impact of aviation in the military, this day is designed to honor those men and women who developed and flew military aircraft through the years. Highlights include military aircraft dating back to World War I and participation from the U.S. military stationed around the world.
DECEMBER 16, 2003
IN HISTORY'S FOOTSTEPS, CELEBRATING 100 AVIATION PIONEERS The North Carolina Centennial Commission will hold a ceremony to honor 100 aviation heroes, as selected by the commission. In addition, the historic contributions of these individuals will be examined through film and exhibits.
DECEMBER 17, 2003
12 SECONDS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD The EAA's initiative, "Countdown to Kitty Hawk sponsored by Ford Motor Company," culminates with the re-creation of the single-most significant moment of the last century - the Wright brother's first heavier-than-air powered flight which took off at precisely 10:35am and lasted 12 seconds, traveling 120 feet. Dignitaries, celebrities and aviation legends will be on-hand to celebrate and commemorate this occasion.
All dates, events and times are subject to change.
| Special thanks to the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau for pulling together this list of special events for the 2003 First Flight Centennial. |
Monument Entrance Fee Restructured
New Fees - Effective March 17th
March 17, 2003
National Park Service
Outer Banks Group
Contact: Mary Doll (252) 473-2111 ext. 154
On Monday, March 17, 2003, Wright Brothers National Memorial will have a new structure for entrance fees. Under the new structure, there will be a single fee of $3.00 per person. The per vehicle fee will be discontinued.
Fees collected at Wright Brothers NMEM are used to improve overall visitor services within the Outer Banks Group. This year’s fees will be used to enhance visitor services and educational opportunities for the First Flight Centennial Celebration.
The park’s new fee structure is a much more equitable than the current structure of $5.00/vehicle or $3.00/person. At present, the per vehicle fee applies to each vehicle whether the vehicle holds one occupant or more. Under the new fee structure each visitor will be charged a $3.00 per person entrance fee. Children 16 and under will continue to be admitted free. Those visitors holding Golden Age, Golden Access, National Park, and Wright Brothers NMEM Passes will still be admitted free. If a visitor holds a Golden Age passport, that passport will allow free entrance to the cardholder and his immediate family, to include spouse, children, and parents, if they are traveling together in the same vehicle. If the occupant of a vehicle holds a Golden Access or a Wright Brothers Annual Pass, these passes will allow free entrance to the cardholder and all occupants of the vehicle.
Golden Access Passports, Golden Age Passports, and National Park Passes are issued at all National Park Service fee stations. Golden Access Passports are free and Golden Age Passports cost $10. Both these passports are good for a lifetime. National Park Passes cost $50 and are good for one year. The Wright Brothers NMEM Annual Park Pass may be obtained at Wright Brothers National Memorial. These passes, good for one year, will continue to cost $10.
 | Lighthouse Tour |
Driving Directions to all North Carolina's Lighthouses
Cheryl Roberts
ANNOUNCEMENT
MOREHEAD CITY, NC
Most people visiting the Outer Banks of North Carolina want ot visit at least one of the lighthouses. The Outer Banks Lighthouse Society has prepared a Driving Tour from north to south along coastal North Carolina.
Of the existing towers you have a choice of seven lighthouses to visit, and you can see the ruins of an eighth light. Theses lighthouses are so interesting days can be spent in the surrounding area of each one. You are invited to visit a lighthouse soon.
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