A Visit from the Base Commander, WPAFB

We were thrilled to host Col. Christopher Meeker, commander of the 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, for a tour of our world-famous Wright Brothers Collection today, along with Wright State University President Sue Edwards, Chief Operating Officer Greg Sample, and several others.

It was a joy to share the stories, photos, and documents of the Wright Brothers and the Wright family, and to experience Col. Meeker’s enthusiasm and excitement!

Jane Wildermuth, left, Head of Special Collections & Archives, shares one of Orville Wright’s ID cards with the group, as Col. Meeker looks on smiling.

The impetus for the visit involves renovation projects underway at WPAFB and the desire to incorporate décor and design features that harken back to the early days of aviation and the first successful airplane — and by logical extension, of course, the men behind the machine: Wilbur and Orville Wright.

As so often happens when we meet new friends with whom we have shared interests, we have already started thinking of new ideas for collaboration and ways to grow and strengthen this relationship. We look forward to working with Col. Meeker and the 88th Air Base Wing at WPAFB in the future!

Additional photos from today’s visit can be viewed in the gallery below. Click on an image to enlarge it:

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Summer Hours 2023

Beginning on Monday, May 1, 2023, Special Collections & Archives is open to researchers for its summer hours schedule of Tuesday-Friday, 12pm to 4pm.

We plan to resume our normal/extended hours when Fall semester starts again in August.

To check the hours for the Special Collections & Archives Research Room on a particular day, view the Dunbar Library Calendar.

You can still contact us electronically to submit a research request or request an in-person research appointment.

And as always, our web site is “open” 24/7! You can read our blog, search collection finding aids, explore digital collections on CORE Scholar, and more!

We apologize for any inconvenience!

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The 1903 Wright Flyer Replica Receives Cleaning!

Our 1903 Wright Flyer replica in Dunbar Library’s atrium received a good cleaning this weekend, thanks to Wright State’s amazing Facilities staff.  Since 2001 when it took to the atrium’s skies, the replica Flyer has been inspiring all at Wright State to dream big and resolutely achieve our goals, just as the university’s namesakes did 120 years ago.

Periodically, our Flyer needs a little spiffing up; and with the bustle of finals now over, it was time. While not an easy task, cleaning the Flyer makes a noticable difference in its appearance. A huge thank you to Facilities for making this happen, with an extra big shout out to Mark Watson and Jeff Reid, who spent the day at tall heights while carefully vacuuming the debris and dirt from the wings of the Flyer with our museum quality vacuum.  We are thrilled with the results! Check out the photos below for the before, during, and after. 

Back View of Replica Flyer before cleaning.
Flyer before cleaning
Side View of Replica Flyer before cleaning.
Flyer before cleaning
Jeff cleaning lower wing of replica flyer
Flyer during cleaning
Mark cleaning upper wing of replica flyer
Flyer during cleaning
Jeff cleaning elevator  of replica flyer
Flyer during cleaning
Mark cleaning lower wing of replica flyer
Flyer during cleaning
Side view of replica flyer after cleaning
Flyer after cleaning
Another side view of replica flyer after cleaning
Flyer after cleaning
Front view of replica flyer after cleaning
Flyer after cleaning
Mark Watson and Jeff Reid
Thank you, Mark and Jeff!

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