How to Support or Get Involved with the First Flight Society

Updated

The First Flight Society (firstflight.org) is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Wright Brothers' first powered flight on December 17, 1903, and to inspiring future aviators. You can support it through donations, participation in its educational programs and events, and by engaging with its historical preservation efforts. The site's "Support Our Mission" and "Explore" menus are the main entry points for these options. The site does not publish membership tiers, fees, or payment details, so confirm specifics directly with the organization before committing.

Ways to Support the Mission

The site frames support around three pillars: education, events, and historical preservation. The most direct route is the "Support Our Mission" menu, which the homepage presents alongside the call to "Help Us Preserve Aviation History for Future Generations."

Support area What the site describes How to start
Donations / mission support "Support Our Mission" menu and "Support Mission Menu" heading Use the support menu on the homepage
Educational programs Hands-on STEM programs and aviation history education for young people Follow the "Learn more" link under Educational Workshops
Events "Engaging events" listed among the Society's core activities Check the Explore menu for current events
Historical preservation Safeguarding artifacts and documents from the early flight era Explore the history sections of the site

Because the site does not list membership levels, dues, or payment platforms, treat any specific giving amount or membership category as something to verify with the Society rather than assume.

Join Events and Educational Programs

The Society describes itself as running "interactive exhibits, engaging programs, and a vibrant community of enthusiasts" in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, the location tied to the Wright Brothers' flights. If you want to participate rather than just donate:

  1. Open the Explore menu to find history content, the documentary, and program pages.
  2. Look for the educational workshops section, which the site says focuses on STEM and aviation history for students.
  3. Watch the linked story or documentary ("Watch Story," "Watch Our Documentary") to understand the mission before reaching out.
  4. Use the site's contact or support information to ask about upcoming event dates, since the homepage does not list a calendar.

A practical example: a teacher or scout leader who wants a hands-on aviation history session should start with the workshops page and then contact the Society to ask about scheduling and age ranges, because those details are not published on the homepage.

Volunteer and Community Involvement

The site emphasizes "a vibrant community of enthusiasts" and invites "everyone to join us on this exhilarating journey," but it does not spell out a formal volunteer application process on the homepage. To explore volunteering:

  • Check the Support Our Mission and Explore menus for pages on getting involved.
  • Use the site's contact channel to ask specifically about volunteer roles in events, education, or preservation.
  • Frame your inquiry around the three stated pillars (education, events, preservation) so the Society can route you to the right program.

Where to Find Contact and Support Information

Start at firstflight.org and use the two primary navigation areas:

  • Explore Menu — history, the documentary, and educational content.
  • Support Mission Menu — donation and mission-support pathways.

If a specific contact form or email is not visible on the page you land on, navigate through these menus first; the homepage excerpt does not include a direct contact address, so avoid relying on third-party listings that may be outdated.

A Quick Decision Guide

  • Want to give money? Go to the Support Our Mission menu and confirm current options with the Society.
  • Want to learn or teach? Start with the educational workshops and documentary.
  • Want to show up in person? Ask about events in Kill Devil Hills through the contact channel.
  • Want to volunteer? Inquire directly, naming education, events, or preservation as your interest.

The Society's stated goal is to inspire "the next generation of aviators," so any involvement tied to education or preservation aligns with its core mission.