Wright Brothers Monument

I recently found this plaster version of the Wright Brothers Monument in a junk shop. It’s a newer replica which stands about 6 inches tall and has nice detailing. There are also older versions of this souvenir monument made of metal and plaster out there. The actual granite monument is 60-feet tall and located in Kill Devil Hills, N.C. It commemorates the first successful flight by Wilbur and Orville Wright who came to the hill because of the area's steady winds. Inscribed in capital letters along the base of the memorial tower is the phrase, "In commemoration of the conquest of the air by the brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright conceived by genius achieved by dauntless resolution and unconquerable faith." Construction of the tower, designed by Architects Rodgers & Poor, began in October 1931 and completed a year later. To build the structure, 1,200 tons of granite, more than 2,000 tons of gravel, over 800 tons of sand and 400 tons of cement were used. My plaster version required a bit less material to create.