Wright Brothers Homecoming Celebration Triumphal Arch, 1909 June

The image shows one of four triumphal arches, sculpted by Joseph A. Horchert, that was displayed on Third Street and Main Street in Dayton, Ohio during the 1909 Wright Brothers Homecoming Celebration. Horchert worked with Henry Kabierske who designed most of the decorations for the event and worked for Fischer and Sons of Philadelphia. The sculpture, depicting the "Goddess of Victory," was a seated woman holding a model of the Wright Flyer raised in her right hand and supporting a globe in her left. The sculpture was part of the Court of Honor which ran north on Main Street from Third Street to the Soldier's Monument. Duplicate "Goddess of Victory" sculptures were also at the beginning and end of the parade route. Between the sculptures were large columns decorated with flowers and lights. Original caption the reads: “Decoration for celebration for Wilbur and Orville Wright, June 1908.” The date in caption is incorrect.