Glenn Hammond Curtiss grew up in Hammondsport and became one of the most important figures in early American aviation—a contemporary and rival of the Wright Brothers who designed the first seaplanes, built the first aircraft sold commercially in the United States, and set speed records on both motorcycles and airplanes. The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport preserves that legacy with a collection of restored vintage aircraft, engines, motorcycles, and related artifacts.

The museum includes full-scale reproductions of Curtiss aircraft (some of which have been flown), original motorcycle engines from Curtiss’s early racing career, and exhibits on the broader history of Hammondsport and the Keuka Lake region. The aviation collection is the primary draw, but the local history displays—covering the region’s winemaking heritage, boat building, and early industry—provide useful context for understanding the area. The museum is compact enough to see in an hour or two and pairs naturally with a visit to the village of Hammondsport and the surrounding Keuka Lake wineries.