The massive scale of the replica meant it couldn’t be stored easily in Naughton’s house, so the 83-year-old artist began looking for its permanent home.
“If they’re interested in it, we’re looking for a home for it,” said Naughton in a Dayton Daily News article from earlier this year.
However, the search came to an end when Naughton officially donated the replica to Wright State University in Fairborn. During the college’s Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 12, the model was transferred to campus and unveiled inside its student union building.
Credit: Erin Pence
Credit: Erin Pence
“After that article appeared, we received some phone calls,” said the college’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Gregory Sample. “We reached out to Helen and we began a dialogue. And we’re excited to say that the conclusion of all deliberations and her considering all her options, including Dayton History and others, she and her family decided that Wright State University should be the permeant home for this replica.”
The decision to donate the model to Wright State not only came from the college’s link to Dayton history and the Wright Brothers, but also its personal connection to Naughton.
“My daughter graduated from the Wright State, and my husband got his master’s degree back in I think 1971 from Wright State,” said Naughton. “I live in Fairborn and I felt it was a place that would appreciate it, take care of it. At my age, you know, I didn’t want to leave anything undone for my kids to handle. So I felt Wright State would be the right place for it.”
Credit: Erin Pence
Credit: Erin Pence
While Jimmy Landers couldn’t attend the event, Naughton said “one thing Jimmy wanted was for a lot of people to see it and enjoy.”
During the unveiling, Naughton gifted Wright State University a figure based on Scipio, the Wright Brothers’ St. Bernard. The dog was then placed on the building’s porch.
Credit: Erin Pence
Credit: Erin Pence
It was also announced the college would not only commission a replica of the Wright Brothers’ original home, but also a model of the Wright Flyer to accompany them.
Currently, Wright State has not decided where the replica will go on campus, as the college is working to create a base and cover to properly protect the model while it is displayed.
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