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Glenn Curtiss, King of the Air: What He Did, How He Did It, Why It Matters

October 18, 2021, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Geneva History Museum
543 South Main Street
Geneva, NY 14456
315-789-5151

Postcard from a hill showing a factory and houses in a wooded valley and near a lake.

The Curtiss Aeroplane Factory and Aviation Grounds, Hammondsport, NY

The first presentation of Historic Geneva's 2021 Fall Lecture Series on innovation will be  “Glenn Curtiss, King of the Air: What He Did, How He Did It, Why It Matters,” by Kirk House on Monday, October 18 at 7 p.m.

With an eighth-grade education, Hammondsport native Glenn Curtiss built an industrial-technical giant that dwarfed its competitors in the field of early aviation. What were his contributions—and how did an untutored small-town boy make himself so successful in this cutting-edge field of engineering? How did his corporation affect Hammondsport and the Finger Lakes? Join Kirk House virtually or in person at the Geneva History Museum to learn the answers to these questions.

Kirk House served as director and/or curator of the Glenn Curtiss Museum for six years. He is the author of the biography and technical study Hell-Rider to King of the Air: Glenn Curtiss’s Life of Innovation, published by the Society of Automotive Engineers. He has also authored or co-authored 13 photo-history books and writes periodically for Life in the Finger Lakes Magazine. He is currently Director of Steuben County Historical Society.

This lecture will be presented in person at the Geneva History Museum and simulcast virtually through Zoom. Masks will be required for all in-person attendees. Advance registration is required for virtual participation. To register, click here. The necessary login information will be sent to registrants via email 24 hours prior to the program. For any problems with registration or to register by phone, call the Historic Geneva office at 315-789-5151. Virtual registrations must be complete before 12:00 noon, October 18, the day of the program.

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