Carillon Historical Park is a 65-acre open-air history museum
that serves as the main campus for Dayton History.
We share the amazing stories of how Dayton changed the world!

Mon - Sat: 9:30am - 5:00pm
Sun: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
937-293-2841

1000 Carillon Boulevard
Dayton, Ohio 45409

Wright at Home


 

Hours of Event
Sunday, April 28, 2024
12:00pm–5:00pm

Admission
$40 per person

Location
901 Harman Ave
Dayton, OH 45402

Parking
Oakwood Municipal Lot and along Park Avenue
For More Information

(937) 293-2841

Wright at Home

Held each April, Wright at Home is an open house of the Wright Family Mansion, also known as Hawthorn Hill. Travel back in time and enjoy a walking tour of the surrounding neighborhood.

During Wright at Home, visitors join the ranks of Charles Lindbergh, Henry Ford, and Thomas Edison as guests at Hawthorn Hill, Orville Wright’s success mansion.

Dayton History presents Wright at Home in conjunction with the Oakwood Historical Society. Join the two organizations for this special visit to Hawthorn Hill — the world’s first pilot’s last home.

Purchase Tickets

Category

Wright Brothers National Museum


Wright Brothers National Museum

The John W. Berry, Sr. Wright Brothers National Museum has more Wright artifacts on display than any other place in the world, including the 1905 Wright Flyer III: the only airplane designated a National Historic Landmark, the first practical flying machine, and what the Wright brothers considered their most important aircraft.

Referred to as “the first pilot’s last project,” preserving the 1905 Wright Flyer III for Carillon Historical Park was Orville Wright’s last major project before he died on January 30, 1948. And while Orville died before Carillon Park was opened in 1950, he had a hand in designing Wright Hall—the building that houses the 1905 Wright Flyer III.

Adjacent to Wright Hall is Carillon Historical Park’s Wright bicycle shop—a replica of Wilbur and Orville’s fifth and final store at 1127 W. Third St. in West Dayton. In 1936, with Orville’s endorsement, Henry Ford purchased the original building, and in 1938, it was moved from 1127 W. Third Street and dedicated at Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. Carillon Park’s cycle shop resembles how the Wright brothers’ store would have appeared between mid-October to mid-December 1901.

Category

Trees of Carillon Park – American Beech


American Beech – Fagus Grandifolia

A slow-growing tree known for its smooth, thin, gray bark and spreading canopy, the American beech is found throughout Ohio. Featuring a short, rounded, often hollow trunk, it is frequently used as a home by animals such as squirrels, opossums, and racoons, and when fully matured, it can reach a height of 60-80 feet. Adaptable to various soil pH levels, it prefers a rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture; it also prefers partial or direct sunlight, though can survive in shadier conditions.
The leaf of an American beech is 2-4 inches long and simple, growing in an alternating pattern, with slightly undulating margins and coarse serrations. In fall, the leaves deepen from a yellow-green shade to a rich golden-brown. Younger trees then hold onto these leaves through winter while older beeches will lose all but the leaves on their lower, interior branches. Beeches produce a fruit with a prickly outer husk, which, in late summer and early fall, splits open to reveal one or two edible, triangular nuts that are high in fat and protein, eaten by both birds and mammals.

Beech wood is known for its strength, ability to be bent once steamed, and tendency to wear smoothly. For this reason, it is historically the wood of choice for a wooden plane body, a common woodworking tool used to smooth and shape other woods. It is also traditionally a wood of choice for chair-making, thanks to its pliable nature, at least after steaming.

Citations:

Information:

https://archive.org/details/woodwrightsshopp0000unde/page/12/mode/1up?q=Beech
Underhill, Roy. 1981. “The Woodwright’s Shop : A Practical Guide To Traditional Woodcraft : Underhill, Roy : Free Download, Borrow, And Streaming : Internet Archive”. Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/woodwrightsshopp0000unde/page/n2/mode/1up?q=.

ODNR Division of Wildlife. 2020. “Trees Of Ohio Field Guide”. Columbus: Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Images:

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Forests: The Blight of Beech Bark Disease

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You Can’t Go A Day Without Dayton


You Can’t Go a Dayton Without Dayton

Can you go a day without Dayton? In this series, you will discover the amazing stories of how Dayton changed the world!

Aviation

Look around you. Can you imagine the world without airplanes?

The last time you traveled, made an online order, or enjoyed fresh produce out of season, did you thank the Wright brothers?

Carillon Historical Park houses the 1905 Wright Flyer III: the only airplane designated a National Historic Landmark. Gifted to Carillon Park by Orville Wright himself, the Wright Flyer III is the world’s first practical airplane.

Electric Starter

Can you imagine a world where you had to hand crank your car?

Inside Deeds Barn—now housed at Carillon Park—Daytonian Charles Kettering and his Barn Gang invented the electric starting system for the automobile. It opened up the freedom and convenience of driving to almost anyone!

Pop-Top

Can you imagine a world without pop top cans?

You’d be searching for a church key every time you wanted to enjoy your favorite canned beverage.Invented by Daytonian Ermal Fraze, pop tops are employed around the world 275 billion times a year!

LCD

Can you imagine a world without LCDs?

The next time you get lost in your mobile device, remember the liquid crystal display you so cherish was perfected by Dayton’s John Janning at NCR!

Ritty Dial

Can you imagine a world without cash registers?

The first practical cash register was invented by Daytonian James Ritty. Known as the Ritty Dial, it sparked a business revolution that made Dayton the world’s largest supplier of business machines for the next half-century!

Receipts

Can you imagine a world without receipts?

No matter what you’re shopping for, most of us don’t think twice about getting a receipt. Thanks to Daytonian John H. Patterson of NCR, his now centuries-old concept of getting a receipt continues to protect merchants and customers around the world!

Category

>> Dayton History Press Images


DAYTON HISTORY PRESS IMAGES

Disclaimer: Images are for press and media purposes only. Images may not be copied, reproduced, disseminated, or used for any other purposes.

Credit: All photos should be credited to Carillon Historical Park except where otherwise noted. Thank you for your support of Dayton History!

 

A Carillon Christmas

Carillon Park Rail Festival

Culp’s Café

Easter Sunrise Service

Fleurs de Fête

Heritage Day with the Dayton Philharmonic

Old River Park Artifacts

Wright Brothers National Museum

  • The 1905 Wright Flyer III:  The only airplane designated a National Historic Landmark, the first practical flying machine, and what Orville considered the brothers’ most important aircraft. Orville Wright gifted the airplane to the park. Photo credit: Dan Patterson.
  • The Korona V: The camera used to take the famous first flight photo on Dec. 17, 1903. Photo credit: Dan Patterson.
  • Two 1901 Van Cleve Bicycles: Only five original Wright bicycles exist in the world. Two are at Carillon Historical Park. Photo credit: Skip Peterson.
  • Singer Sewing Machine: The sewing machine used to sew the muslin fabric on the Wrights’ early gliders and airplanes. Photo credit: Skip Peterson.

Wright at Home • Hawthorn Hill

Category

Trivia


History Trivia

Trivia Dayton

This Week’s Question

How many Wright brothers were there?
There were four Wright brothers that lived to adulthood: Reuchlin (born 1861), Lorin (born 1862), Wilbur (born 1867), and Orville (born 1871). Two Wright twins, Otis and Ida, died shortly after birth in 1870. Katharine, the youngest Wright child and only daughter to live to adulthood, was born in 1874. Orville and Katharine share the same birthday – August 19 – three years apart.

 

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Previous Questions

MLK received an honorary degree from which area university?
Martin Luther King, Jr. visited Dayton several times. In 1958, Dr. King received an honorary degree from Central State University. “It’s a great time to be alive,” he told 172 CSU graduates at the 1958 commencement. “You are graduating at the time of the dying of an old world and the birth of a new one.”
Where was Annie Oakley from?
Annie Oakley was born Phoebe Ann Moses on August 13, 1860, in nearby Darke County. She gained international stardom when she joined Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West show in 1885. She performed with the show for most of the next 17 years. Annie Oakley died on November 3, 1926, in Greenville, Ohio.
When did Elvis first perform in Dayton?
The first of Elvis Presley’s four Dayton performances was on May 27, 1952, at the University of Dayton Fieldhouse. He also performed at U.D. Arena on April 7, 1972, October 6, 1974, and October 26, 1976. Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977, in Memphis, Tennessee.
Which childhood toy greatly inspired the Wrights?
In late 1878, Bishop Milton Wright gifted Wilbur and Orville the Flying Bat. The toy had a small propeller and flew under its own power. Twenty-five years later, the Wright brothers became the first to fly. In later years, Orville credited the Flying Bat as their initial inspiration.
Orville Wright patented which toy?
The world’s first pilot’s last patent was awarded on Jan. 25, 1925, for Flip & Flops, a toy that launched a small wooden clown through the air to swing from a trapeze.

You can find Flip & Flops and many other toys in the Heritage Center of Dayton Manufacturing & Entrepreneurship.

Christmas Eve 1941 marked which Dayton event?
While the first official Deeds Carillon concert occurred on Easter Sunday 1942, an impromptu 1941 Christmas Eve concert occurred 17 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Now a signature sound in the Miami Valley, the 1941 Christmas Eve concert marked the first time the Dayton community experienced the beautiful carillon bells.

“O Come All Ye Faithful” led the procession, calling Dayton to remain steadfast during trying times. NCR Factory News reported on the concert: “Although not yet formally dedicated, it is well on its way to being an established part of our lives … and this community will continue to appreciate the social and cultural value of this architectural masterpiece for which we are most grateful.”

“Success four flights … home Christmas” was sent to who?
On Thursday, December 17, 1903, at about 5:30pm, Bishop Milton Wright received the following telegram from Orville:

“Success four flights Thursday morning all against a twenty- one mile wind started from level with engine power alone average speed through the air thirty-one miles – longest 57 seconds. XXX home Christmas. Orville Wright”

Jonathan Winters was born where?
Jonathan Winters was born in Bellbrook, Ohio, on November 11, 1925. The winner of two Grammy awards and a Primetime Emmy award, Winters’ off-the-wall humor was featured in Mork & Mindy, Smurfs, Hee Haw, and many other shows and movies.
Dr. Dre & Tupac covered which Dayton musician?
Dr. Dre and Tupac covered Roger Troutman’s “California Love.” Frontman for the legendary Dayton funk band, Zapp, Troutman hit #2 on the Billboard Soul singles chart in 1980 for his hit “More Bounce to the Ounce.” Parliament Funkadelic members George Clinton and Bootsy Collins worked with Zapp during the band’s early years, and Troutman had a huge influence on West Coast G-Funk hip hop.
Wright Flyer fabric was sold where?
The Pride of the West muslin fabric used on the Wright Flyer was purchased at Rike-Kumler Co. in downtown Dayton. The fabric was then cut into strips, machine-sewed, and used to fashion the wings for the flyer. Rike’s was a popular spot for holiday shopping as well.
What year did Kareem Abdul-Jabar play vs. UD?
The 1966–1967 University of Dayton Flyers men’s basketball team faced off against the undefeated UCLA Bruins in the 1967 NCAA championship game. UCLA was led by one of the greatest basketball players of all-time: Lew Alcindor, the man later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. With Alcindor at the helm, UCLA went 88-2 from 1967–1969. Unfortunately, Dayton was unable to claim one of those upsets. The Bruins defeated the Flyers 79-64.
Which Daytonian voiced Bart Simpson?
The voice of Bart Simpson belongs to Nancy Cartwright. An Emmy award-winning actress, Cartwright was raised in Kettering and attended Fairmont West High School. In addition to Bart, Cartwright also plays Ralph Wiggum, Nelson Muntz, Rod Flanders, Maggie Simpson, DataBase and Kearney. Her voice is also highlighted in Rugrats (Chuckie); Kim Possible (Rufus the Naked Mole Rat); Richie Rich (Gloria); Animaniacs (Mindy); The Replacements (Todd) as well as Pinky and the Brain; The Critic; God, The Devil and Bob; Mike, Lu & Og; and Chuck Jones’ final work, Timberwolf.
FDR was which Daytonian’s VP running mate?
In 1920, the Democratic Party chose James M. Cox as their presidential candidate and Franklin D. Roosevelt as his vice presidential running mate. Cox’s campaign was unsuccessful, and fellow Ohioan, Warren G. Harding, was elected president.
Cheez-Its were introduced by which Dayton company?
Dayton’s Green & Green Cracker Company introduced the Cheez-It, a staple of American snacking, in 1921. During World War I, Green & Green baked “army bread” for the war effort—6.5 million pounds of it.

Carillon Historical Park’s special commemorative World War I exhibit, Over There: Dayton in the Great War, is on display for a limited time.

Which NFL teams did the Dayton Triangles play?
The Dayton Triangles played against the New York Giants, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Chicago (now Arizona) Cardinals, and many others. The Triangles were a flagship franchise of the American Professional Football Association—an organization formed in Canton, Ohio, on Sept. 17, 1920, and renamed the National Football League in 1922.

The Dayton Triangles locker room is located at Carillon Historical Park. The Park has future plans for the locker room.

Which Daytonian invented the pop top can?
Ermal Fraze invented the pop top can. So the story goes, Fraze was on a picnic, forgot his opener, and had to use his car bumper to open his beer. Thinking there must be a better way, he patented the pop top can. Premiering on Iron City beer cans in the early 1960s, after a few short years, 75% of beer cans were using the pop top.

Learn more about Ermal Fraze at Carillon Historical Park’s Heritage Center of Dayton Manufacturing & Entrepreneurship.

Donahue premiered on which Dayton TV station?
Phil Donahue worked at WHIO as a newscaster and had a radio show titled Conversation Piece. The Phil Donahue Show premiered on Dayton’s WLWD-TV in November 1967, and it forever changed daytime television.

In 1970, while filmed in Dayton, the show was syndicated nationally. In 1974, the show was moved to WGN Studios in Chicago; in 1984, it was moved to WNBC Studios in New York. Over its 29 years,
Donahue (the show’s title was shortened) won 19 Emmy awards. It is credited with being the longest running syndicated talk show in American history.

Who played the first NFL game?
The first NFL game was played on October 3, 1920 at Triangle Park in Dayton, Ohio. The Dayton Triangles topped the Columbus Panhandles 14-0.

The Dayton Triangles locker room is located at Carillon Historical Park. The Park has future plans for the locker room.

Who attended college? Wilbur, Orville, or Katharine Wright?
Wilbur Wright attended high school in Richmond, Indiana, but did not pick up his diploma with the rest of the class of 1884. Orville Wright attended Central High School; he was part of the class of 1890 alongside Paul Laurence Dunbar, the world’s first internationally acclaimed African-American poet, but he did not graduate. Katharine Wright graduated from Oberlin College in 1898.

Take a tour of Hawthorn Hill, the Wright family home, and learn how the Wright brothers and their family influenced the world.

How is IBM’s “Think” slogan tied to Dayton?
IBM’s “Think” slogan originated at NCR. IBM Chairman and CEO Thomas J. Watson got his start at NCR. Watson developed IBM’s management style and corporate culture from his training at NCR.

You can learn more about the history of NCR and Dayton’s spirit of innovation at the Heritage Center of Dayton Manufacturing & Entrepreneurship.

Katharine Wright taught where?
Katharine Wright taught at Steele High School in downtown Dayton. Steele H.S. was located at the corner of Main and Monument Avenues in Dayton near where CareSource is currently located.

The school bell used by Katharine Wright while she was a Latin teacher at Steele High School is on display at the John W. Berry Wright Brothers National Museum.

Central Park & Carillon Park share what?
The Olmsted Brothers, the famed landscape architects responsible for Central Park, designed the original greenspace around Deeds Carillon. The Park’s stone entrance gates were designed by the Olmsted Brothers as well.

Learn more about Carillon Historical Park.

Kettering’s starter motor debuted on what car?
Henry M. Leland, the founder of Cadillac, ordered 5,000 starter motors, and Charles F. Kettering’s most famous invention debuted on the 1912 Cadillac.

Learn more about Charles F. Kettering at Carillon Historical Park’s Heritage Center of Dayton Manufacturing & Entrepreneurship. Inside the barn where Kettering and the Barn Gang invented the starter motor is a 1912 Cadillac.

TIME Magazine’s cover showcased which Daytonian?
Charles F. Kettering was on the cover of TIME Magazine on January 9, 1933. Kettering was a famed Dayton inventor; his most famous invention was the automobile starter motor.

Learn more about Charles F. Kettering at Carillon Historical Park’s Heritage Center of Dayton Manufacturing & Entrepreneurship.

Who was the Barn Gang?
During the early 1900s, Colonel Edward Deeds established the Barn Gang in Dayton, Ohio. They met behind Deeds’ property at 319 Central Ave. to discuss scientific and technological issues. Most of the Barn Gang’s members were engineers employed by Dayton’s various industries. The core of the Barn Gang was Colonel Deeds, Charles F. Kettering, and W.A. “Bill Chryst.” Kettering, alongside the Barn Gang, invented the automobile starter motor.

The Barn Gang’s barn is located at Carillon Historical Park’s Heritage Center of Dayton Manufacturing & Entrepreneurship.

Orville Wright died of what?
Orville suffered his second heart attack in four months at his West Side laboratory on January 27, 1948; he died three days later at Miami Valley Hospital on January 30, 1948 at the age of 76. Orville’s funeral was held at the First Baptist Church of Dayton on February 2, 1948; Dr. Charles Lyon Seasholes, pastor of First Baptist Church, conducted the service.

The John W. Berry Wright Brothers National Museum tells the story of Orville Wright and the Wright brothers in great detail. The Wright Brothers National Museum has more Wright family artifacts than any place in the world, including the 1905 Wright Flyer III: the only airplane designated a National Historic Landmark, the world’s first practical flying machine, and what the Wright brothers considered their most important aircraft.

Wilbur Wright died of what?
“Wilbur Wright was seized with typhoid on May 4 while on a business trip in the east,” wrote The New York Times in its May 31, 1912, edition, the day after Wilbur’s death. “Throughout the early part of his illness Wright attributed his sickness to some fish that he had eaten at a Boston hotel. He explained to his physician, however, that he had no particular reason to believe that the disease originated from this source.”

After falling ill, Wilbur held on for three weeks before dying at the family’s 7 Hawthorn St. home in Dayton at 3:15 a.m. on Thursday, May 30, 1912. Maurice E. Wilson, reverend of the First Presbyterian Church, officiated his brief service, reading “Oh God, Our Help in Ages Past,” Psalm 23 and several other hymns and scriptures.

The John W. Berry Wright Brothers National Museum tells the story of Wilbur Wright and the Wright brothers in great detail. The Wright Brothers National Museum has more Wright family artifacts than any place in the world, including the 1905 Wright Flyer III: the only airplane designated a National Historic Landmark, the world’s first practical flying machine, and what the Wright brothers considered their most important aircraft.

When was Dillinger arrested in Dayton?
John Dillinger had robbed six banks in roughly four months when he was arrested in Dayton on September 23, 1933. He was soon sent to jail in Lima for a Bluffton bank robbery, only to escape on October 12, 1933. Declared Public Enemy No. 1 by J. Edgar Hoover, Dillinger and his gang killed ten people, wounded seven others, robbed banks and police arsenals, and staged three jailbreaks before he was killed on July 22, 1934.

The Colt .38 Super semiautomatic gun John Dillinger was carrying when he was arrested in Dayton is a highlight of the Dayton History Collections Department. Learn more about Dayton’s History by visiting us at Carillon Historical Park.

Which US President Spoke at the Old Court House?
There were a total of 8 US Presidents that spoke at the Old Court House: Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, James Garfield, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and William J. Clinton have all campaigned on the building’s storied limestone steps.

Lincoln spoke at Dayton’s Old Court House on September 17, 1859. The Daily Dayton Journal described the speech this way: “Old Abe …brought a large crowd of people to the appointed place and for nearly two hours the speaker was listened to with the utmost attention. Mr. Lincoln is one of the ‘self-made’ men; having, without the advantages of education, risen to the proud preeminence which he now occupies in his own state and in the United States.”

Who built Newcom Tavern?
Newcom Tavern was built by Robert Edgar, a millwright hired by Colonel George Newcom. Newcom had purchased lot 13 upon his arrival to the settlement. Edgar was to build “the best house in Dayton” upon this site, at the corner of Main and Water Streets. He was paid six shillings, the equivalent of 75 cents, per day for his work on the hewed-log house. The original structure was two stories high and consisted of two rooms. At the time of its completion (1796) it was the largest house in Dayton. Newcom Tavern has since moved from its original location at Main Street and what is now known as Monument Avenue, and currently sits at the heart of Carillon Historical Park. Though the logs have been replaced and restored over the years, Robert Edgar’s building has endured the last 220 years and stands as a testament to his handiwork and a symbol of the rich history of Dayton.

Want your children to learn more about the early history of Dayton? Enroll them today in Carillon Historical Park’s Settler Survival Camp the weeks of July 10–14, July 24–28, or July 30–August 4.

For more information, please contact the Education Scheduling Desk at (937) 293-2841 Ext. 127 or education1@daytonhistory.org.

Which famed architectural firm designed Deeds Carillon?
Deeds Carillon was designed by Reinhard & Hofmeister of New York, the same architectural firm responsible for Rockefeller Center in New York City. Upon its dedication in 1942, Deeds Carillon was one of only six freestanding carillon towers within the United States. At 151-feet, it is Ohio’s largest carillon.

Join us for a Deeds Carillon concert this Sunday, July 2. Typically held on Sundays and during Carillon Historical Park’s main events, Deeds Carillon concerts are performed by carilloneur Alan Bowman.

What were the names of John Patterson’s locomotives?
NCR Founder John H. Patterson had three fireless locomotives: the Rubicon (purchased 1909), the South Park (purchased in 1910), and the Dayton (purchased in 1913). Patterson was touring a munitions factory in Germany when he first observed a fireless locomotive in action. They were much cleaner than regular coal-burning switchers, and this aligned with Patterson’s belief in clean, healthy, and attractive factories. These locomotives were used to haul debris after the Great 1913 Flood, and the Rubicon is on display at The Great 1913 Flood Exhibit Building at Carillon Historical Park.

You can see the Rubicon and many more trains at Carillon Park Rail Festival this Saturday, June 24 from 9:30am–5:00pm and Sunday, June 25 from 11:00am–4:00pm.

Which Daytonian founded Lexington, KY and Cincinnati, OH?
Colonel Robert Patterson was a Revolutionary War soldier and the founder of both Lexington, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1816, he began construction on Patterson Homestead; this Federal-style historic house museum tells the story of Dayton’s influential Patterson family. Colonel Patterson first settled here in 1804, and upon his death in 1827, Rubicon Farm (the name of his land) covered 2,038 acres.
Join us this Saturday, June 17 for a Patterson Homestead Open House.

Which Dayton company printed Newsweek?
Dayton once had 77 printing companies, ranging from one-person operations to McCall’s, which produced 4 million magazines daily, including Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, Reader’s Digest, Redbook, and Popular Science.

By 1937, printing was the second largest industry in the United States. Due to the abundant water supply available, Dayton was heavily involved in the printing industry. In fact, as it was more cost-effective to print near the location of the paper mills, 25 of Ohio’s 36 paper mills were located right here in the Miami Valley.

The Carillon Historical Park Print Shop is the nation’s only fully operational 1930s letterpress job shop in a museum.

The Mind Your Ps & Qs Print Class is this Saturday, June 10 from 1:00–5:00pm. Taking place in Carillon Park’s 1930s Print Shop, the class explores Dayton’s printing history and teaches the art of letterpress printing. Registrants create their own personalized stationary using period techniques.

Space is limited to five registrants. Please contact the Education Scheduling Desk at (937) 293-2841 Ext. 127 or education1@daytonhistory.org for more information or to reserve your spot.

What was the original name of the Carillon Concert Band?
The Carillon Park Concert Band was originally formed in 1945 as the NCR Band, and carries on to this day as a long-loved Dayton tradition. Conceived by famed musical director Clark Haines, this summertime ensemble of talented area high school students initially performed at NCR’s Old River Park.

After auditioning to participate, students from across the greater Dayton region unite to form the Carillon Park Concert Band. Selections include everything from marches to Broadway tunes to movie music to light classics. The CPCB is currently under the direction of Kettering City School District Director of Bands Michael Berning.

The Carillon Park Concert Band performs this Sunday, June 4 at 2:00pm. The CPCB will also perform at 2:00pm on June 11, June 17, June 24, and June 25.

Who founded Dayton, Ohio?
Dayton owes its founding to The Thompson Party. This group of settlers made their way to the area from Cincinnati as they were heading west to the Great Ohio Valley. The settlement was established on April 1, 1796 and later incorporated in 1805.

Carillon Historical Park preserves and celebrates Dayton’s unparalleled history from its founding to the modern day. Join us this Sunday, May 28th for Dayton Heritage Day with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra as we share the history of the Miami Valley through special activities, costumed interpreters, and much more.

Draped in patriotic decorations, the Park welcomes thousands of guests each year to this family friendly event! After a full day of historical demonstrations, miniature train rides, and general merriment, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra fills the air with beautiful music. Heritage Day is a festive and patriotic way to ring in summer.

Where was Kramer Winery & Pleasure Gardens?
Today, Dayton Country Club in Oakwood sits on the land that was once Kramer Winery & Pleasure Gardens. In the 1800s, William Kramer owned 60 acres, upon which he cultivated orchards and vineyards. He also grew expansive flower gardens for visitors to stroll through and enjoy.

Join us this Sunday, May 21 from 1:00pm–4:00pm for Fleurs de Fête. Guests enjoy more than 400 wine samplings and delicious dishes from dozens of local restaurants at Dayton’s original “party in the park.”

What is the oldest existing American-built locomotive?
The 1835 B&O #1, John Quincy Adams, is the oldest existing American-built locomotive. It is housed at Carillon Historical Park’s James F. Dicke Family Transportation Center.

Many chapters of transportation history are celebrated at the James F. Dicke Family Transportation Center—from our nation’s rail history to Ohio’s pioneer history to Dayton’s unique spot in claiming the oldest, continuously-operating, electrically-propelled public transit system. Designed to resemble both a train station and a roundhouse, the Transportation Center houses many of Carillon Historical Park’s original artifacts, and guests are welcome to walk through many of the artifacts on display.

The Carillon Park Rail & Steam Society miniature trains will run this Saturday, May 13 from 1:00pm–4:00pm. Established in 1984, CPRSS operates a 7.5 gauge (1/8th full-scale) miniature railroad at Carillon Historical Park. Rides are $1 per person, per ride, and the funds directly support the Carillon Park Rail & Steam Society. Ride passes are also available.

Train Schedule:

May 13 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
May 28 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Heritage Day)
June 24 | 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (Rail Festival)
June 25 | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm (Rail Festival)
July 8 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
July 22 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
August 5 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
August 6 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

August 20 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
September 2 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
September 17 | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm (Concours d’Elegance)
October 7 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
October 21 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
November 25 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
December 9 | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Who lived at Patterson Homestead?
Constructed in three major components between 1816–1850, this legendary home raised three generations of Pattersons, including legendary industrialist, John H. Patterson, who founded his National Cash Register enterprise on the family’s land, roughly a half-mile northwest of Patterson Homestead. It was originally the home of Revolutionary War soldier and Lexington, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio, founder Colonel Robert Patterson.

There will be a Mother’s Day Victorian Afternoon Tea at Patterson Homestead this Sunday, May 7. While this particular event may or may not be sold-out, the following Victorian afternoon teas will be held later this year:
Jane Austen Tea: June 4
Hallow’s Eve Tea: October 29
Christmas Teas: December 2, 3, 9 & 10

Which Phillies Hall of Famer grew up in Dayton?
Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt grew up in Dayton. Graduating from Fairview High School in 1967, Schmidt was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995. After 17 years and 548 home runs, Schmidt retired in 1989. ESPN hails him as the greatest third baseman of all-time.

Join us for a Clodbuster Base Ball game at Carillon Historical Park on April 30 at 1:00pm. The Clodbuster Base Ball Club plays 1860s base ball (spelled using two words until the 1880s). Enjoying the game the “way it was meant to be played,” the Clodbusters dress in period uniforms and adhere to 1860s rules. Games are played against other vintage base ball teams in the area.

Did both Wright brothers live at Hawthorn Hill?
Upon completion in 1914, Hawthorn Hill became the residence of Orville, Katharine, and their elderly father, Bishop Milton Wright. While Wilbur had a hand in the plans, he died on May 30, 1912 of Typhoid Fever at age 45, before Hawthorn Hill was completed. Over the next 35 years, the mansion welcomed Charles Lindbergh, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and many others.

Join us this Sunday, April 23 from 12:00pm–5:00pm for Wright at Home, a special Hawthorn Hill open house.

When was the first official Deeds Carillon Concert?
As Carillon Historical Park’s first official event, the 1942 Easter Sunrise Service set a high precedent for the organization. At 6:30 a.m., with the sun rising from behind Ohio’s largest carillon, NCR organist Robert Kline entered the carillon console of the 151-foot limestone tower to herald the dawn of Easter Sunday. Amongst the swelling crowd were Carillon Historical Park founders Edward A. and Edith Walton Deeds.

“As dawn broke on Sunday morning, April 5, the first Easter Service was held at the Deeds Carillon. An estimated crowd of 10,000 made the pilgrimage by automobile, bus and on foot.” This detail was included on page 14 of the April 1942 edition of the NCR Factory News.

For years on end, the Easter Sunrise Service has continued. In fair weather and foul, during triumphant and trying times, people from all walks of life have gathered at Deeds Carillon, in Dayton’s early morning Easter light, for this powerful display of faith.
Join us this Easter Sunday, April 16 at 6:30am for the 76th annual Easter Sunrise Service.

Where were Orville Wright and Paul L. Dunbar classmates?
Orville Wright, the world’s first pilot, and Paul Laurence Dunbar, the world’s first internationally acclaimed poet, both attended Central High School, located on the corner of Fourth and Ludlow Streets in downtown Dayton. Wright and Dunbar were boyhood friends and were both part of the Central High School class of 1890, a small class of 27 students.

Homeschool Day at Carillon Historical Park is this Tuesday, April 11. Reservations are not required. Please contact the Education Scheduling Desk at (937) 293-2841 Ext. 127 or education1@daytonhistory.org for more information.

What was the first business of the Wright brothers?
Before they made bicycles or airplanes, the Wright brothers were printers. In 1889, at age 17, Orville published the first issue of the West Side News. By the seventh edition, printed by “Wright Bros., Job Printers” appeared, and Wilbur had joined the paper as editor with Orville as publisher. On March 29, 1890, the Wright Brothers’ West Side News began its second year of publication. Wilbur and Orville’s printing endeavors marked the first time the Wright brothers became business partners.

Learn more about the Wright brothers’ printing endeavors at the John W. Berry, Sr. Wright Brothers National Museum at Carillon Historical Park.

How deep were the Great 1913 Flood waters?
The Great 1913 Flood waters reached 20-feet in low-lying areas and rushed up to 25 miles-per-hour. Gas lines broke, fires roared across town, and the Great Miami River swelled to more than a mile wide on either side. While over 1,400 horses died, the region only accounted for 361 human casualties, largely due to NCR’s massive relief efforts.

The Great 1913 Flood Exhibit at Carillon Historical Park speaks to disaster, perseverance, and heroism. By bringing together numerous Flood-related artifacts, it tells the story of a grief-stricken city banding together to rise above adversity.

Learn more about The Great 1913 Flood by visiting Carillon Historical Park.

What was Ohio’s worst natural disaster?
The Great 1913 Flood is considered Ohio’s worst natural disaster. Dayton had flooded in the years before 1913, but these previous floods paled in comparison to The Great 1913 Flood.
The first storms hit on Good Friday, March 21, and by Easter Sunday, March 23 the rains were coming down hard—the Miami Valley was hit with 8–11 inches of rain over a five day period. On March 24, the Great Miami River was rising at a rate of six inches an hour, and by March 25 the levee failed. The river crested on March 26 and gas lines broke; fires spread across town. On March 27, snow began to fall, and by March 28, the waters began to recede.

The Great 1913 Flood Exhibit at Carillon Historical Park speaks to disaster, perseverance, and heroism. By bringing together numerous Flood-related artifacts, it tells the story of a grief-stricken city banding together to rise above adversity.

Learn more about The Great 1913 Flood by visiting Carillon Historical Park.

Who started the Soap Box Derby?
The Soap Box Derby originated in Dayton in 1933. It was the idea of a Dayton Daily News photographer, Myron Scott, who had witnessed children building and racing primitive, homemade cars.

The first impromptu race organized by Scott was such a success that her arranged for a second race on August 19, 1933. Hundreds of children showed up with their homemade cars to participate. Seeing the potential for this new sport, Scott signed Chevrolet as a sponsor and the first All-American race took place August 19th of the following year. The 1934 race was won by Robert Turner of Muncie, Indiana.

An original soap box derby car, which raced in the first Derby ever held, is on display at Carillon Historical Park. The Park is open seven days a week all year long!

Which writers did Paul L. Dunbar inspire?
The first internationally acclaimed African-American poet, Paul Laurence Dunbar had a profound influence on Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, and many others. The title of Maya Angelou’s 1969 autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was borrowed from a line in Dunbar’s poem “Sympathy.”

Dunbar was born in Dayton in 1872 and spent his last years at his home in West Dayton before his death in 1906. The Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site still stands in celebration of his life and literary contributions at 219 Paul Laurence Dunbar Street and is open to the public, free of charge, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Plan your visit to learn more about this acclaimed son of Dayton.

Which famous boxer fought at Memorial Hall?
The famed Jack Dempsey fought Ray Newman and Marty Cutler at Memorial Hall in 1924. Other well-known boxers that duked it out at the Hall in the early 20th century include Davey Moore, Joe Louis, and Marion Condi, to name a few. In later years, even Muhammad Ali made an appearance. Dayton was considered one of the premier boxing cities in the Midwest.

Dayton History will bring Memorial Hall to life once again on Saturday, February 25th for our historically inspired charity boxing exhibition: FIGHT NIGHT! Doors open at 7:00pm and fights begin at 8:00pm. Make sure to stay for the after-party! Guests are invited to wear festive 1920s attire to match the theme. For ticket information and more, visit daytonfightnight.com.

What is the oldest building in Dayton?
Newcom Tavern (ca. 1796), Dayton’s oldest standing building, was central to community life. It served as the city’s first jail, church, general store, and Montgomery County’s first courthouse. Newcom Tavern was originally located on the corner of Main and Monument Streets but was moved to Carillon Historical Park in 1965 from its second location in Van Cleve Park where it sat since 1896.

Carillon Historical Park’s Tavern Dinner series features an authentic, three-course, hearth-cooked meal and historical entertainment in Newcom Tavern. With recipes pulled from 19th century receipt books, guests learn how Daytonians dined in the 1800s. Costumed interpreters bring 19th-century Dayton to life during this unique candlelit dinner experience. The End of Winter Feast Dinners are set for Fridays and Saturdays in March.

Who invented the cash register?
The cash register was invented by James Ritty, of Dayton, Ohio, in 1879. Originally conceived as a means to prevent theft by the staff working at Ritty’s saloon, the machine was initially called the Incorruptible Cashier. See a 1930s reproduction of the first cash register on display at Carillon Historical Park.

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Park Map


1. Deeds Carillon

At 151-feet, with 57 bells, the Deeds Carillon was a gift of founders Colonel Edward A. and Edith Walton Deeds. One of Dayton’s best-known landmarks, Deeds Carillon plays daily automated musical selections. The Park’s internationally acclaimed carillonneur also plays original concerts throughout the year.

2. KETTERING FAMILY EDUCATION CENTER

The first stop for all admissions and information. It houses exhibits, the Iams Education Room, administrative offices, and the Museum Store.

3. HERITAGE CENTER OF DAYTON MANUFACTURING AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Featuring an NCR cash register room with 90 Dayton-made machines, the Build for Tomorrow animatronic theater, the original Deeds Barn, dozens of exhibits featuring Dayton factories and companies, and the Carousel of Dayton Innovation, a full-scale, hand carved carousel featuring one-of-a-kind characters such as Orville Wright’s dog, a Dayton soap box derby car, and a soda can with the Dayton-made pop top.

4. CULP’S CAFÉ

Reminiscent of Culp’s Cafeteria located in downtown Dayton in the 1930s and 1940s, serves soups, sandwiches, ice cream and sodas.

5. WINSUPPLY CENTER OF LEADERSHIP

Features the beautiful Eichelberger Pavilion special event space, as well as meeting rooms and both the Schear Family Gallery and the Roger Glass Gallery exhibit spaces.

6. CARILLON BREWING COMPANY

The nation’s only fully operational 1850s style brewery and full-service restaurant, immerses guests in the sights, sounds and smells of the mid-19th century brewing process.

7. Dixon & Shafor Junction

Dixon & Shafor Junction is an original, 1894 railway station. Formerly known as Bowling Green Depot, it served as many as 14 freight and passenger trains daily. The Carillon Park Railroad’s loading platform is next to this building.

8. NEWCOM TAVERN (1796)

The oldest building in Dayton, built by Robert Edgar for Colonel George Newcom. The hand-hewn log house originally stood at Main Street and Water Street (now Monument Avenue). Outside the Tavern stands a sundial originally located in Van Cleve Park and dedicated for Dayton’s Centennial celebration in 1896. The well is representative of the wells used by early settlers to obtain drinking water. Early histories state that Col. Newcom, as sheriff, would sometimes incarcerate prisoners in a dry well.

9. LOCUST GROVE SCHOOL NO. 12 (1896)

A one-room schoolhouse at the corner of Possum and Bird Roads outside of Springfield, Ohio from 1896 until 1929. One teacher instructed students in grades one through eight.

10. WATERVLIET SHAKER BUILDING (ca. 1832)

The final surviving remnant of the Watervliet Shaker community, which was located in eastern Montgomery and western Greene counties from 1806 until 1900. At its height, the utopian religious community was home to over 100 individuals. Research indicates that this building was used as a printing office for Richard McNemar, a leading Shaker author, but today it interprets the overall Dayton Shaker story.

11. Horse Barn No. 17 (1901)

Horse Barn No. 17 (1901) was originally constructed as a timber frame bank barn housing 70 horse stalls. During 2019 and 2020, the building was carefully disassembled and rebuilt at the Park. Barn 17 shares the 160 years of history of the old Montgomery County Fairgrounds. Stories about Dayton’s agricultural past, famous visitors to the fairgrounds, and historic events held there are exhibited.

12. THE WHITNEY PAVILION

A picnic shelter and gift of philanthropists Lee and Betsy Whitney in 2003 in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary.

13. HETZEL SUMMER KITCHEN (1817)

The temporary home for early Van Buren Township resident, Peter Hetzel, and his family while their permanent home was being constructed. The building then served as a summer kitchen for many years.

14. WILLIAM MORRIS HOUSE (ca. 1815)

Built of locally quarried limestone served as a home for Revolutionary War veteran, William Morris, and his family. The house was located on Social Row Road in the farmlands of southern Montgomery County’s Washington Township.

15. NEWCOM HOUSE (ca. 1841)

Built in the Greek Revival style, was constructed on land owned by Dayton settler, George Newcom. Although there is no record of any Newcom family members ever living in the building, the house interprets Dayton life in the 1840s. The hitching post in front of the house was used to tie up horses that pulled wagons and carriages. It was originally located on the Volkenand Farm in the Walnut Hills area of Dayton. The carriage step was used to climb aboard high carriages. Its original location is unknown.

16. DEEDS BARN REPLICA

Housing exhibits about the lives and work of acclaimed inventors, Charles F. Kettering and Colonel Edward A. Deeds. The original Deeds Barn, now located in the Park’s Heritage Center of Dayton Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship, was located behind the Deeds home at 319 Central Avenue in Dayton. Inside the barn, Deeds, Kettering and a group of friends invented the electric automobile ignition, and later, the electric automobile self-starter.

17. OLD RIVER PARK SWIMMING POOL LIGHT TOWER

A distinctive feature of one of the largest swimming pools in the Midwest, located at NCR’s employee recreation facility, Old River Park. Old River was the brainchild of Colonel Edward A. Deeds and was designed by the famous Olmsted Brothers landscape architects.

18. OLD RIVER PARK SHelters (1939

Old River Park Shelters (1939) were used by NCR employees, their families and friends for 70 years. They were reconstructed here in 2021 and 2022.

19. DEEDS PLAZA

20. SUGAR CAMP/WAVES CABIN 22 (1934)

Formerly located on the grounds of The National Cash Register Company’s Sugar Camp training facility. This cabin was one of 60 used to house U.S. Navy WAVES as they worked on a classified code-breaking project during World War II.

21. CORLISS ENGINE BUILDING

Houses the Corliss Engine that provided the National Cash Register Company electrical power and steam heat from 1902 to 1948.

22. GEM CITY LETTERPRESS

GEM CITY LETTERPRESS is a fully operational print shop of the 1930s era, when Dayton was home to 77 printing companies.

23. SUN OIL STATION (1924)

Formerly located at the intersection of Brown and Warren Streets in Dayton. The pumps in front of the station feature clear glass cylinders, which attendants filled with gasoline from an underground tank and then let them drain into customers’ cars.

24. DAYTON SALES

A representative auto sales building housing early Dayton-made automobiles. Among them are a 1908 Stoddard-Dayton, 1910 Speedwell, and 1910 Courier.

25. THE GREAT 1913 FLOOD EXHIBIT BUILDING

Houses stories and artifacts about Dayton’s worst natural disaster, including the National Cash Register locomotive, “Rubicon,” which operated as a switch engine at the factory from 1909 to 1961.

26. MILLER SHELTER

Dedicated to 40-year Park employee, Lloyd Miller.

27. CARILLON PARK RAIL AND STEAM SOCIETY

Operates scale trains on scheduled Saturdays and during special events.

28. DAYTON CYCLERY

Houses the Park’s collection of rare and antique bicycles with a special emphasis on the Miami Valley’s role in bicycle evolution.

29. JAMES F. DICKE FAMILY TRANSPORTATION CENTER

Houses most of the Park’s historic public transportation collection: the 1835 John Quincy Adams, 1903 Summer Trolley, 1904 Kuhlman Interurban, 1923 B & O Caboose, 1903 Barney and Smith Railroad Car, 1949 Marmon-Herrington Trolley Bus and RTA Supervisor’s Booth.

30. BRETHEN TOWER

A 100-foot tall climbing tower supporting the Callahan Building Clock. Built in 1919, the clock was a distinctive landmark in downtown Dayton atop the Callahan Building, later known as the Gem Savings Building, at the corner of Third and Main Streets. The tower features an observation platform allowing views of the area surrounding Carillon Park.

31. MORRISON IRON BRIDGE (1881)

Once spanned Tom’s Run on Gratis Road near Farmersville, Ohio. David Morrison, founder of the Columbia Bridge Works of Dayton, built it.

32. CANAL SUPERINTENDENT’S OFFICE (1895)

Used for collecting canal fees, located between Second and Third Streets in downtown Dayton.

33. MIAMI & ERIE CANAL LOCK NO. 17 (ca. 1833)

Located in the original canal bed dug between 1825 and 1829 which runs through Carillon Park. The lock was originally located six miles north of Dayton.

34. SMITH COVERED BRIDGE (1870)

Built by Robert W. Smith and spanned Little Sugar Creek on Feedwire Road in Greene County.

35. JOHN W. BERRY, SR. WRIGHT BROTHERS NATIONAL MUSEUM

The museum, including the Wright Cycle Company building and Wright Hall, tells the world changing story of the Wright brothers and showcases their original 1905 Wright Flyer III, the world’s first practical airplane and a National Historic Landmark. The Museum is a privately owned and operated unit of Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.

36. GRISTMILL

Representative of a gristmill with an operating grindstone and grinding mechanism. It also serves as a residence for a Park caretaker.

37. GLACIAL SLIDE & MORAINE EXPLORATION AREA

Allows the young and young at heart to travel down tube slides and try their hands at working in a simulated archaeological dig site.

38. MARIE AULL SCULPTURE AND GARDEN

Dedicated in 2003, pays tribute to nationally recognized conservator Marie Sturwold Aull (1897-2002) who founded Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm north of Dayton in 1957.

39. HISTORY ON THE HILL INTERPRETIVE CENTER

Shares stories about the history of the land that is today Carillon Historical Park, including its geological history, its use by the prehistoric Hopewell people, and it being the location of a segment of the Miami and Erie Canal.

40. YECK PLAZA

Serves as both the gateway to the Park’s History on the Hill trail system and as an outdoor programming area for educational workshops.

41. PATTERSON ADIRONDACK SHELTER (1906)

Originally constructed on NCR founder John H. Patterson’s estate, The Far Hills, in Oakwood, Ohio. Patterson, a frequent visitor to upstate New York, was particularly fond of Adirondack architecture. He used this shelter as the prototype for many similar structures he later built in Hills and Dales Park, a beautiful green space he gifted to the people of Dayton in 1907.

42. OCTAGONAL SHELTER

Built in the style of picnic shelters originally located at NCR’s Old River Park.

43. WATCHTOWER (1907)

served Dayton as a railroad watchtower from 1907 to 1976 near the intersection of West Fifth and Broadway Streets. An attendant manually operated railroad crossing gates from inside the tower.

44. OASIS RESTROOMS

 

45. CARILLON CAFE

Open Seasonally, serving light fare and snacks.

Category

Community History & Collections Council


Community History & Collections Council

Council Members Title
Stephen Wright Council Chair
Richard Carlile Council Member
Byron Kentner Council Member
William Kramer Council Member
Dr. Paul D. Lockhart Council Member
John L. Marshall Council Member
Sarah Sessions Council Member
Toni Winger Council Member
Category

Home School Day


Home School Day

Held in April and September, Home School Day is a wonderful way for home-schooled students to enjoy hands-on educational activities and programs. With a 4-D animatronic theatre, 30 exhibit buildings, costumed historical interpreters, object theatre presentations at the Wright Brothers National Museum, carousel rides, and more, Home School Day is fun for the whole family!

Ticket includes:
• Access to all Carillon Historical Park exhibits
• Gardening
• Rug Hooking
• Bread Baking and Brewery Talk
• Historic Printing Demonstrations

$10 per Child | $14 per Adult | Free to Dayton History Members

Please contact the Education Scheduling Desk at (937) 293-2841 Ext. 127 or education1@daytonhistory.org for more information.

2024 Home School Days

April 11
September 5

2025 Home School Days

April 10
September 4

Category

A Carillon Christmas


A Carillon Christmas

A Carillon Christmas

Days left of A Carillon Christmas

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Event Details
November 26 – December 30, 2024*
Sunday – Thursday: 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Friday & Saturday: 5:00pm – 10:00pm

at Carillon Historical Park

* Closed Thanksgiving Day,
Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day

Admission
$14 per adult (ages 18-59)
$12 per senior (ages 60+)
$10 per child (ages 3-17)
Free to children 2 and under
FREE to Dayton History Members!

Purchase Tickets Become a Member

Dayton’s newest holiday tradition!

Join us for A Carillon Christmas to see Carillon Historical Park’s 65-acre campus transformed into a winter wonderland of sparkle, magic, and holiday cheer!

Featuring:

The Carillon Tree of Light
Santa Claus
The Carillon Park Railroad
Gem City Letterpress
Letters to Santa
Deeds Carillon Christmas Concerts
Carillon Christmas Café
Drinks at Culp’s Café
Roundhouse Café in the Transportation Center
The Tailor of Gloucester Puppet Show
Model Train Displays
Midnight Express Miniature Train Rides
Museum Store Shopping
Walk through our beautiful campus, filled with thousands of lights
Morris and Hetzel Bakery
Gristmill Christmas Village and Peppermint Mill
Carillon Brewing Co.
… and more!

Thank you to our partners and sponsors!

Connie & John Taylor
Betsy & Lee Whitney
Key-Ads
Active Electric, Inc.
Siebenthalers

Holiday Activities

Holiday Activities


Holiday Activities

Join us for these special programs and watch as Carillon Park comes alive with your favorite holiday traditions! All locations have been marked with a holiday icon on your map and they are open between 5:00pm and 9:00pm.

Visit with Santa
Through Dec. 23rd
Did you know that Dayton was the toy manufacturing capital of the United States in the 1920s? Visit Santa in the Heritage Center, in front of the Dr. Richard and Dorothy Cummings Collection of Dayton-made toys. Bring your own camera to take a complimentary picture.

Letters to Santa
Write a letter to Santa in Newcom Tavern (Est. 1796), Dayton’s oldest standing structure. It contains the original Van Cleve cabinet which served as Dayton’s first post office.

Wright Brothers National Museum
John W. Berry, Sr. Wright Brothers National Museum, including Wright Cycle Company and Wright Hall, tells the world-changing story of the Wright brothers and showcases their original 1905 Wright Flyer III, the world’s first practical airplane and a National Historic Landmark. The Museum is a privately owned and operated unit of Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.

Chestnuts & Gingerbread at Morris & Hetzel Bakery
Learn about historic hearth cooking with our costumed interpreters. Purchase a homemade gingerbread cookie and a cone of roasted chestnuts in the Morris & Hetzel Bakery.

A Visit From St. Nicholas
The Night Before Christmas
Enjoy a special presentation of this classic Christmas poem featuring hand-painted glass slides produced by NCR. These slides were accompanied by a special reading of A Visit From St. Nicholas during children’s Christmas programs NCR put on from 1916 until the early 1930s. A booklet featuring the poem and slides can be purchased in the Museum Store.

The Rike-Kumler Company
Toy Parade & Christmas Cartoons
Beginning in the 1920s through 1942, the Rike-Kumler Company held a Toy Parade on Thanksgiving Day to ring in the start of the Christmas season. Experience the spectacle through actual films of the parades taken in the 1930s and 1940s. You can also watch excerpts of popular Christmas cartoons from that time.

The Tailor of Gloucester, Puppet Show
Every half hour, starting at 5:30pm
Enjoy a Christmas-themed Puppet Show based on The Tailor of Gloucester (1903) by Beatrix Potter. This tale, from the author of Peter Rabbit, was published only a few months prior to December 17, 1903, when the Wright brothers achieved First Flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Carousel of Dayton Innovation
Take a ride on our beautiful, one-of-a-kind carousel, built right here in Ohio in 2011. From planes to trains to automobiles and beyond, each hand-carved figure represents a unique aspect of Dayton’s colorful past. (Cost: $1 per person, per ride; any riders under 42” tall need to be accompanied by an adult)

Gem City Letterpress
Visit the nation’s only complete 1930s letterpress job shop operating in a museum! The equipment in this shop was typical during an era when Dayton was home to 77 printing companies.

Carillon Park Railroad
5:00pm to 9:00pm*
Ticketing Location: Dixon & Shafor Junction
Take a ride on a magical train through a winter wonderland of lights reminiscent of a trip to the North Pole.(Cost: $1 per person, per ride)
*Must be in line one hour before closing

The Midnight Express Train Rides
6:00pm to 9:00pm*
Ticketing Location: Transportation Center
Enjoy a narrated, mile-long ride on a replica of one of the first trains to arrive in Dayton. (Cost: $5 per person, per ride)
*Must be in line one hour before closing

Holiday Shopping
Whether you are looking for something Dayton-related or holiday themed, you’ve come to the right place for Christmas shopping! Visit our Museum Store locations in the Kettering Family Education Center and Gem City Letterpress to find the perfect gift!

Holiday Treats & Drinks
Enjoy a light meal, delicious snacks, holiday treats, beverages and more!
Seating is available throughout the park.

Locations: Carillon Christmas Café, Roundhouse Café, the Peppermint Mill, Culp’s Café, and Carillon Brewing Company.

Food and Drink

Food and Drink

Specialty Christmas concessions are available daily at different locations throughout Carillon Park during A Carillon Christmas, November 23rd through December 30th. Of course, the Carillon Brewing Co. is serving food every day from 11:00am to 9:00pm all year long!

Culp's Christmas Café

Carillon Christmas Café

Enjoy Hot Dogs, French fries, Pretzels, Ice Cream, S’mores, Hot Chocolate, & More! Counter service and outdoor seating available!
View Mobile Menu

Roundhouse Café

Roundhouse Café

Fresh Popcorn, Hot Cocoa, & More! Grab a snack and drink to take with you as you walk through the park.
View Mobile Menu

Morris House

Morris House

Gingerbread Cookies, Hot Cider, & Hot Fresh Chestnuts! All prepared before your eyes using historic cooking techniques!

Peppermint Mill

Peppermint Mill

Frosted Almonds, Pretzels, Mulled Wine, S’mores, Hot Cocoa, & More! Grab a snack and drink to take with you as you walk through the park.
View Mobile Menu

Culp's Café

Culp’s Café

Tuesday through Sunday: 10:00am – 2:00pm
5:00pm – 8:00pm (beverages and ice cream only)
To learn more about Culp’s Café and to see our full menu, please visit www.culpscafe.org.

Carillon Brewing Co.

Carillon Brewing Co.

Wednesday through Sunday: 11:00am – 9:00pm
Looking for a full-service dinner? Visit the Carillon Brewing Co., located right outside the main entrance to Carillon Historical Park. To learn more about our house brewed beers and to see our full menu, please visit www.carillonbrewingco.org.

Tips and FAQs

Tips and FAQs

Are masks required?

No, masks are not required at this time. However, we do encourage the use of masks indoors.

Where is the Kettering Family Education Center?

The Kettering Family Education Center is the gateway to Carillon Historical Park. The main entry is located underneath a portico. A flagpole is located directly in front of it.

What should I wear?

Carillon Historical Park is a 65-acre campus with indoor and outdoor exhibits. Keep an eye on the weather to plan your wardrobe!

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

During A Carillon Christmas, carry-in coolers, food items, or drinks are not permitted. We will have a variety of holiday treats available at our vending stations or you can dine at the Carillon Brewing Co.!

Can I come to the Park before 5:00pm?

Yes! Carillon Historical Park will remain open for our regular day-time hours beginning at 9:30am Monday through Saturday and 12:00pm on Sunday. You are welcome to enjoy the whole day at the Park, including A Carillon Christmas, until 9pm Sunday through Thursday and 10pm on Friday and Saturday. You will not need to leave and re-enter the park due to A Carillon Christmas.

Admission prices for A Carillon Christmas are the same as our regular admission.

Where can I park? How much does it cost?

FREE parking is available on the Carillon Historical Park campus.

When do lights and holiday programming start?

All A Carillon Christmas programming will begin at 5:00pm.

Are pets allowed?

Pets are not allowed at Carillon Historical Park. If you have a service animal, please make sure they are wearing proper identification.

Are wheelchairs or electric scooters available?

A small number of wheelchairs are available to guests to check out from our admission desk. We do not offer electric scooters.

Which night(s) have the most activities?

All programs will remain consistent throughout the entire month. You will be able to participate in the same holiday activities every day of the week.

Do you take credit and debit cards?

Several of our food and activity locations require cash. There is an ATM located in the lobby of the Kettering Family Education Center, but it is advised that you bring some cash for food and activity purchases. We do accept credit/debit cards in the Museum Store for the purchase of admissions, memberships, and all store merchandise, and at Carillon Christmas Café for food purchases.

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