Tetreau & Ganim To Mark Anniversary of Whitehead's First Flight

Bridgeport, CT -- Fairfield First Selectman Mike Tetreau and Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim will hold a joint press conference to recognize and honor the 116th Anniversary of Gustave Whitehead’s “First in Flight” which took place August 14, 1901, predating the Wright Brothers’ 1903 flight. Both municipal leaders will read proclamations from their respective communities declaring August 14th as “Gustave Whitehead Day”.

The press conference will take place Monday, August 14, at 10am, and will be held Rain or Shine in Bridgeport’s West End Park at the intersection of State Street and Fairfield Avenue and diagonally across from the fountain sculpture of Whitehead’s Flyer (intersection of State Street Extension and Fairfield Avenue). Parking will be available on State Street or Fairfield Avenue or inside the park off Mountain Grove Street. Silliman Memorial Baptist Church, 1728 Fairfield Avenue, faces the park.

In addition to First Selectman Tetreau and Mayor Ganim, Sammie Kusterer, Whitehead’s great great granddaughter, and Fairfield resident Andy Kosch, who had successfully built and flown a replica of Whitehead’s plane, “Condor No. 21”, will be on hand. The life size plane replica will be on display for the public from 10-12 pm.

The event illustrates Bridgeport and Fairfield joining together to share their pride for one of its own whose “First in Flight” made Bridgeport and Fairfield the birthplace of powered flight.

For more information, please contact: 

Jennifer S. Carpenter 
Press Secretary 
First Selectman’s Office/Town of Fairfield 
725 Old Post Road 
Fairfield, CT 06824 
jcarpenter@fairfieldct.org
203-256-3095(w)/203-685-8126(c)

or Rowena White 

Director of Communications 
Office of the Mayor/City of Bridgeport 
Margaret E. Morton Government Center 
999 Broad Street | Bridgeport, CT 06604 
Rowena.White@Bridgeportct.gov 
203-576-8439(w)/203-726-0047(c)

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Submitted by Fairfield, CT

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