Wings of the North Museum celebrates 120th anniversary of Wright brothers’ first flight on Dec. 17

The Wings of the North Air Museum at Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie is set to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight with a special event.

On Dec. 17, 1903, Orville Wright achieved the first successful flight in a powered, heavier-than-air craft. This groundbreaking event occurred near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, where the Wright Flyer remained airborne for 12 seconds, covering 120 feet.  Orville and his brother, Wilbur, flew three longer fights on the same day.

To celebrate this historic milestone, the Wings of the North Air Museum will open its doors at no charge from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17. The first 20 children, ages 12 and under, who come to the event will receive a complimentary toy airplane.

The museum features a diverse collection of aviation artifacts, including a one-fifth scale model of the Wright Flyer and a video detailing the Wright Brothers’ contributions to aviation. Additionally, the museum showcases Minnesota’s aviation heritage, highlighted by a full-size replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, previously displayed at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

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Visitors can also view three World War II aircraft, notably a P-51D Mustang that served in European combat missions and a Boeing Stearman used by George H.W. Bush during his 1943 training in the Twin Cities.

Open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the museum also accommodates private tours and events. It is located at 14857 Pioneer Trail, inside Gate H, at the northwest corner of Flying Cloud Airport. Visitors can follow signage from the airport’s call box for museum access.

Wings of the North is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.