Fort Myer, Military base in Arlington, Virginia, United States
Fort Myer is a military base in Arlington County, right next to Arlington National Cemetery, with administrative buildings, housing units for soldiers, and open areas for military events. The installation spreads across several streets and includes modern facilities as well as historic structures from the early 20th century.
The installation began in 1881 as a cavalry post and was named after Civil War general Albert J. Myer, founder of the Army Signal Corps. In 1908, Orville Wright conducted the first military flight demonstrations here, with a fatal crash highlighting the early risks of aviation.
The base houses the Old Guard Museum, which documents the history of the Army's oldest active infantry regiment and shows visitors how soldiers prepare their ceremonies. The barracks and training grounds remain in operation, and you can occasionally see soldiers in their traditional uniforms rehearsing for public appearances.
Access is restricted to authorized personnel and visitors with approved passes, so check in advance if a tour or museum visit is possible. The grounds are flat and easy to walk if you can reach the areas open to the public.
Orville Wright crashed here in 1908, injuring himself while his passenger Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge became the first person to die in an airplane crash. A small memorial near the crash site marks this tragic event in early aviation history.
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