Glenn H Curtiss Museum

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Must-Visit for Aviation Enthusiasts in New York's Finger Lakes

The Glenn H Curtiss Aviation Museum, tucked away in the picturesque New York Finger Lakes region, in Hammondsport just 30 minutes from Corning, NY, offers an immersive dive into the life of one of aviation’s most fascinating figures you may never have heard of: Glenn H. Curtiss. As you approach the museum, a striking scene welcomes you. A large aircraft is perched outside, almost like a sentry on the front lawn, inviting curious minds to step into Curtiss' world of innovation and speed. To the side, a bright red caboose shouts out the region’s Champagne Trail, while an iron sculpture depicting an early flying machine—similar to the Wright Brothers’ iconic aircraft at Kitty Hawk, NC- hovers gracefully over the landscape.


Once inside, the museum takes you on a journey back in time. Your visit begins with a display of bicycles, a reminder of the humble roots of mechanized travel, before revealing the real treasures of Curtiss' early life: motorcycles. Curtiss, after all, was dubbed "The Fastest Man on Earth" after being clocked in Ormond Beach, Florida racing his motorcycle to 218 kph (136 mph). His motorcycle designs, driven by his early obsession with speed, earned him that title. The museum captures the essence of this daring pioneer who, despite his modest upbringing and formal education that ended in the 8th grade, revolutionized motorized transport and aviation.

Curtiss’ story is both heartwarming and tragic. Left without a father or grandfather early in life, he grew up fast, protecting his mother and sister, who had lost her hearing to infection. His resourcefulness blossomed early, and he eventually found work creating stencils for The Eastman Company (later Eastman Kodak) in nearby Rochester. But his passion for speed ultimately led him to develop his own motorcycle engines, earning him acclaim at a competition in Florida where his motorcycle speed was formally timed. Yet, his wife’s fears were ever-present—after losing their young son to a congenital heart defect, she couldn’t bear the thought of losing her husband to his love of racing. Despite her pleas, Curtiss continued his pursuit of speed, though his heart soon turned to the skies.


In 1907, Curtiss’ first significant leap into aviation occurred when he was asked to pilot a dirigible designed by Thomas Scott Baldwin. His experience with engines and fascination with flight catapulted him into the world of aviation. Soon after, Curtiss became a founding member of the Aerial Experiment Association (AEA), an aviation research group led by none other than Alexander Graham Bell. Together with Bell and other innovators, Curtiss developed some of the most advanced aircraft of the time. In 1908, he piloted the June Bug, an aircraft that became the first to achieve a public flight of over one kilometer, earning him the Scientific American Trophy.

The museum shows Curtiss’ full journey into aviation, including his pivotal role in the development of the seaplane and naval aviation. Curtiss, ever the innovator, recognized the potential of amphibious flight. In 1911, he developed the Hydroaeroplane, an aircraft fitted with pontoons that allowed it to land and take off from water. This invention evolved into the world’s first seaplane, which revolutionized naval aviation. Curtiss opened the first-ever flying school in Hammondsport, where he trained the first generation of naval aviators, including Lieutenant Theodore Ellyson, the first naval officer to fly.

However, Curtiss’ success came with conflict. His groundbreaking work in aviation soon caught the attention of the Wright Brothers. The three pioneers became embroiled in a bitter patent war over who had the right to claim certain flight technologies, particularly the method of controlling an aircraft in flight. The Wrights accused Curtiss of patent infringement, and the legal battle lasted for years. Despite the tension, Curtiss continued to push the boundaries of aviation. Ultimately, their respective companies merged before Curtiss' death, and the Wright-Curtiss legacy became inseparable from the history of flight.


The museum’s collection showcases this history beautifully. Among the exhibits are gleaming wood boats, jeeps, and a collection of vintage aircraft, all carefully restored to their former glory. The Virginia Dare II, in particular, is a stunning wood boat that shows Curtiss’ technology allowed others’ eye for design wasn’t limited to just engines and wings.

The USS Curtiss (AV-4), named in his honor, was a key seaplane tender that played a vital role in the Pacific theater during World War II. Commissioned in 1940, this formidable vessel provided critical support to naval aviation operations, particularly by maintaining and supplying seaplanes. On December 7, 1941, during the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor, the USS Curtiss found itself in the heart of the battle. Despite being under heavy fire, the ship’s crew responded valiantly, managing to shoot down several enemy aircraft while sustaining damage from bombs and a direct hit from a Japanese midget submarine. Remarkably, the USS Curtiss was able to get underway and continue her duties throughout the war.

Following Pearl Harbor, the USS Curtiss became an indispensable part of the Navy's operations across the Pacific, serving in major campaigns including the Aleutian Islands, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. As a seaplane tender, the ship’s primary mission was to ensure the readiness of patrol planes, which were essential for reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, and air-sea rescues. The ship’s versatility, along with the bravery of her crew, helped maintain the U.S. Navy's dominance in Pacific waters. The legacy of the USS Curtiss is a testament to Glenn Curtiss’ contributions to both naval aviation and military strategy, further cementing his place in history as one of the great innovators in aviation.


In the museum’s workshop, you may find staff restoring planes, surrounded by an impressive display of tools—though I might have been tempted to outline each one on the wall for organization’s sake! The sheer number of tools reflects the complexity of the aircraft they work on, while signs and historical displays provide context about the town and Curtiss’ era.

One of the most touching elements of the visit is learning about Curtiss’ family. Though he and his wife tragically lost that first child, they did have another child a decade later. This personal history adds a tender layer to the experience, revealing the man behind the machines. The museum’s manager, a Cornell archaeology graduate, was gracious enough to let me catch the beginning of a documentary in the small auditorium, though the viewing was cut short as our group headed back to Corning.

Whether you spend an hour or an entire afternoon, the Glenn H Curtiss Aviation Museum offers an enriching glimpse into the life of a man whose innovations shaped the world we live in today. His legacy soars not just in the planes he built but in the indomitable spirit of adventure and invention that continues to inspire.



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