Learn About the Race for Flight at Carillon Historical Park

You’ve heard of the space race, but an earlier quest for flight preceded this well-known journey, and on Oct. 21, Carillon Historical Park visitors can learn about it first-hand thanks to a new book by Burton W. Folsom Jr.

A college professor, author, historian of economics and fellow at Hillsdale College in Michigan, Folsom is discussing his new book Flight at Any Cost: The Dramatic Race to Invent the Airplane at Carillon Park in a free-to-the-public talk. The conversation will not only center on hometown legends Orville and Wilbur Wright, but also Samuel Pierpint Langley, another early aviator.

As he recounts in a chapter of his 2023 book Uncle Sam Can’t Count (which he co-authored with his wife Anita), the key difference between Langley and the Wright Brothers was the funding. Langley’s work was paid for by the U.S. War Department, while the Wright brothers’ efforts were self funded as they used their bicycle repair skills to help aid their efforts.

The Burton W. Folsom Jr. event is free, but reservations are required. To reserve a seat, call 937/293-2841. For more information about Burton W. Folsom’s speech, or other events at Carillon Park, visit daytonhistory.org.

Upcoming Events at Carillon Historical Park 
Here are more ways to enjoy this historic spot this season.

Those who want to dive even deeper into the history of the Wright Brothers and their family can stop by the park on Wednesdays and Saturdays for a tour of Hawthorn Hill, the mansion Orville Wright lived in following the success of he and his brother’s invention. Tours meet at Carillon Park, and attendees ride to the mansion in a shuttle for the tour.

Enjoy Deeds Carillon concerts on Oct. 19, Nov. 23 and Dec. 7, which are performed by carillonneur, Alan Bowman. Plus, the small-scale trains run by the Carillon Park Rail & Steam Society are running three more times on Oct. 25, Nov. 25 and Dec. 30.

For those already marking their calendar for holiday cheer, don’t miss A Carillon Christmas, an annual holiday celebration running this year between Nov. 25 and Dec. 30. Victorian Afternoon Teas are also set to be hosted on-site this season, with events on Oct. 26, Dec. 6 and 7 and Dec. 13 and 14.

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