Preserve America

Preserve America

Wright Dunbar, Inc., representing a collaboration of Dayton area organizations interested in cultural heritage tourism, received a ‘Preserve America’ grant from First Lady Laura Bush in the amount of $70,000, in 2006. Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage.

The Preserve America grant funded a ‘Heritage Connectivity and Implementation Strategy’ project that demonstrates the economic impact of connecting the aviation and cultural heritage sites in the Dayton region. The Dayton community is maximizing its tourism potential by strengthening connections among existing sites by introducing two new programs: Race to Dayton’s Amazing Aviation Places passport program; and community luncheons and tours at the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.

“The Dayton area has a lot to show off to the rest of America. We are the birthplace of aviation! In addition to the Wright brothers and Paul Laurence Dunbar sites, we have the Dayton Art Institute, Carillon Historical Park, National Museum of the United States Air Force, and many other unique experiences for visitors. This grant represents a collaborative effort to take the next step in connecting our unique cultural resources,” said Idotha Bootsie Neal, Executive Director of Wright Dunbar, Inc.

Our aviation and cultural heritage partners include: National Aviation Heritage Alliance, Inc.; National Park Service; Montgomery County; City of Dayton; Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission; Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau; Aviation Trail, Inc.; Dayton History; Woodland Cemetery; and the Wright B Flyer.