Hammondsport, NY. Visitors to the Glenn Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport can witness an historic project now underway. The volunteer staff of the museum's Restoration Shop is constructing a reproduction of a famous aircraft conceived at the dawn of modern aviation nearly 100 years ago. When finished, Curtiss's flying boat, America, will be flown from Lake Keuka. Completion is targeted for September 2007.

In 1914, Hammondsport native and aviation pioneer, Glenn Curtiss, announced that he would build an airplane intended to be the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Considering that the first successful motorized air flight was just eleven years earlier in 1903, it was an extraordinarily bold goal. Curtiss hoped to win a prize of $50,000 offered by Lord Northcliffe, publisher of the London Daily Mail. At the time, construction costs were underwritten by Rodman Wanamaker, heir to the department store fortune.

Current construction is staying as true as possible to the original 1914 plans and materials. The America has a large wingspan of 74 feet and uses two 100 HP WWI period Curtiss engines, mounted on the wings. Although the outbreak of World War I postponed Curtiss's dream of a transatlantic flight, the British Royal Naval Air Service bought the America to use for anti-submarine patrolling during the war.

Visitors are always welcome to visit the Restoration Shop. Volunteers are typically at work on the America Monday through Saturday and are happy to answer questions about this ambitious project. Visitors may also see a vintage reproduction of the A-1 seaplane completed by the Restoration Shop in 2004. This craft has been flown successfully on Lake Keuka and will take to the air again on September 16 during the annual Seaplane Homecoming Weekend.

Located at 8419 State Route 54, Hammondsport, The Curtiss Museum is open Mon. thru Sat., 9 to 5, and Sun.10 to 5. Admission is $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors 65 and older, and $4.00 for students 7-18. Children 6 and under are free. 607-569-2160.

GLENN H. CURTISS MUSEUM
Contact: Trafford Doherty (607) 569-2160

(If you would like images, I can e-mail them to you info@glennhcurtissmuseum.org.)