Museum-quality replica of historic Hawthorn Hill donated to Wright State

Wright State staff examine the newly donated replica of Hawthorn Hill, the Wright brothers’ historic home, which Fairborn resident Helen Naughton recently donated to the university. (Photos by Erin Pence)

Wright State University is now the permanent home of a large, handcrafted replica of Hawthorn Hill, the historic Dayton residence of Orville Wright.

The model was donated by Fairborn resident and miniature enthusiast Helen Naughton, who commissioned master dollhouse builder Jimmy Landers of Greenwood, Indiana, to create the piece.

The university recognized Naughton’s gift during the Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 12. In a resolution of appreciation, trustees described the replica as a “highly accurate, museum-quality representation of the Wright brothers’ residence, reflecting exceptional craftsmanship, historical accuracy and significant artistic value.”

Board Chair Tom Gunlock also thanked Naughton and Landers for their efforts, noting that the replica is a “beautiful piece of art” that will inspire students and the community by commemorating the Wright brothers’ legacy.

Wright State President Sue Edwards said that just as Hawthorn Hill symbolized the Wright brothers’ success, the replica can inspire today’s students.

“This piece reflects the spirit of innovation and persistence that defines both the Wright brothers’ legacy and our students’ ambitions,” Edwards said. “With hard work, drive and resilience, you can come from Wright State and achieve remarkable things.”

Naughton’s decision to donate the replica was shaped by her family’s long connection to Wright State.

Her late husband, Bill, earned his master’s degree from the university, and her daughter, Lori, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history.

Greg Sample, executive vice president and chief operating officer, recognized Helen Naughton for donating the Hawthorn Hill replica to Wright State.

Naughton said she knew Wright State would appreciate the model and ensure it was cared for and enjoyed by students and the community.

“I felt Wright State was a place that would appreciate it; take care of it,” she said. “I felt Wright State would be the right place for it.”

Her interest in Hawthorn Hill began in the 1960s, when she toured the mansion for the first time and immediately envisioned it as a dollhouse.

Built in 1914 in Oakwood, Hawthorn Hill was the Wright family’s stately residence. Designed by Orville and Wilbur Wright — though Wilbur died before construction — it was home to Orville, his sister, Katharine, and their father, Bishop Milton Wright. The home later passed to NCR before being transferred to Dayton History, which now preserves it as a National Historic Landmark and opens it for public tours.

To bring the replica to life, Landers spent more than 1,000 hours designing and building the structure. The model measures 54 inches wide by 105 inches long and weighs nearly 300 pounds. It includes more than 40,000 hand-laid bricks produced by Stacey’s Masonry in England, nearly 50 custom windows and eight 3D-printed columns, each requiring over 40 hours to fabricate.

Wright State is also collaborating with Naughton and Landers on two other projects: replicas of the Wright family’s original Hawthorn Street home, where Orville and Wilbur conducted much of their early aviation work, and of the Wright Flyer, which will hang above the Hawthorn Hill model.

The university plans to permanently display the Hawthorn Hill replica on campus at a location to be announced.

From left: Wright State President Sue Edwards, Helen Naughton, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Greg Sample and Board Chair Tom Gunlock with the Hawthorn Hill replica.

Wright State students receive Gilman International Scholarships to study abroad

In other Board of Trustees’ news, Susan Schaurer, vice president of enrollment management, announced that three Wright State students have been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship from the U.S. Department of State. The scholarship enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, gaining skills critical to the United States’ national security and economic competitiveness.

The Wright State recipients are:

• Imani Blackshear, a junior elementary education major who will travel to Chile, where work as a student teacher. Blackshear transferred to Wright State from Sinclair Community College.
• Kaleah Crawford, a senior psychology major who will study in Poland. Crawford is a U.S. Air Force veteran with a background in aerospace physiology.
• Clayton Persinger, a first-year student majoring in information technology and cybersecurity. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Persinger will study in Japan.

Gilman Scholars are selected through a competitive process. Awards range from $100 to $5,000 and may be used to help cover tuition, room and board, books, local transportation, insurance and international airfare.