Hillsboro, Virginia: Birthplace of Wright Brothers Mom
A big, old plaque proudly identifies the birthplace of Susan Koerner Wright, "who largely guided and wisely inspired her sons to their immortal discovery." Erected by a garden club in 1929.- Address:
- Gaver Mill Rd, Hillsboro, VA
- Directions:
- On the southwest corner of Charles Town Pike/Hwy 9 and Gaver Mill Rd/Route 812. Best seen from the east.
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Birthplace of the Wright Brothers' Mom Quaint old town with historic value.
[Tammy Blevins, 08/31/2010]Nearby Offbeat Places
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A large marker in Hillsboro, Virginia, honors hometown heroine Susan Koerner Wright, and extols her contributions to the success of her sons, Wilbur and Orville, who invented the airplane. In the broad sense that all mothers somehow motivate their children, the marker is correct -- but Susan was no "helicopter mom." In fact, she'd been dead for 14 years when the Wright Bros. first flew, making it unlikely that Susan "largely guided and wisely inspired her sons to their IMMORTAL DISCOVERY," as the marker claims. Mrs. Wright's most tangible contribution to human flight was her death, which freed Wilbur from nursing her (she had been an invalid), which eventually led to his partnership with Orville in a bicycle business, which eventually led to their construction of the first airplane. Self-sacrifice; it's a Mom thing.