While Wright Brothers monument’s condition is being assessed, visitor access will be limited

Contractors will conduct investigative work next week on the monument at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills to assess the structure’s condition.

The assessment, scheduled for Monday through Thursday, will help shed light on water intrusion and general maintenance needs for the 91-year-old structure, the National Park Service said in a news release.

The 60-foot-tall granite monument sits atop Big Kill Devil Hill — the primary location of the Wright brothers’ glider experiments.

According to the park service, the investigative work will include:

• Setting up scaffolding along the east side of the monument.

• Using a micro borescope, an optical device with an extremely thin probe, to view inside the walls of the monument. Video and photography will allow contractors and National Park Service staff to assess the condition of the monument.

• Excavating a test pit at a corner of the monument to examine its base.

• Non-invasive video scoping at existing openings throughout the interior of the monument.

Access to a portion of Big Kill Devil Hill will be restricted during the project to maintain safe conditions for contractors, staff and visitors, the park service said.