Steponas Darius Birthplace Museum

The cost of the activity is 3 EUR per person; duration: 45–60 minutes.

Some educational activities are conducted as part of the Culture Pass program. Educational sessions take place on museum operating days, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The typical duration of a session is 45–60 minutes, and groups can consist of 5–30 participants.

• BUILDING ETHNOGRAPHIC FENCES OF ŽEMAITIJA

For school-age students and adults

What did the farmstead where Steponas Darius grew up look like? What can a fence, a courtyard, and the authentic surroundings tell us about a person’s life?

This educational activity invites participants to explore the birthplace of aviator Steponas Darius, the setting of his childhood, and the local ethnographic traditions that shaped the young Samogitian’s personality and his active involvement in sports, military service, and aviation. During the hands-on activity, participants will learn about the wisdom of our ancestors, their way of life, and the region’s characteristic technique for building half-timber fences.

Integrated subjects: history, civic and social education, ethnography, technology.

• THE SECRETS OF “LITUANICA”

For school-age students and adults

Every flight has its own story. And the story of “Lituanica” is still full of unanswered questions.

In this educational workshop, participants are invited to become researchers of the “Lituanica” story, learning about Steponas Darius’s preparations for the flight, the design of the legendary aircraft, the circumstances of the transatlantic journey, and what happened during the final leg of the flight.

By analyzing the museum’s exhibits and the facts of the flight, participants will seek answers to questions that continue to spark interest: Why did the “Lituanica” choose this particular route? To what extent did weather, technology, and human decisions contribute to the flight’s success? What might have happened during the final hours of the flight?

Integrated subjects: history, geography, civic and social education, engineering, physics, technology, and English.

• INSPIRED BY THE “LITUANICA” FLIGHT

For students in grades 6–10, families, and adults

Steponas Darius’s character was shaped on his ancestors’ old farmstead, surrounded by a loving family and ancient trees, where he matured into a person devoted to his homeland and ready to sacrifice himself for others. What influenced his choices, and what can we learn from Steponas Darius’s character?

The practical part of the session will focus on developing students’ ability to discuss and think critically. Through active exploratory activities at the museum, students will learn about the history of aviation in independent Lithuania and develop an understanding of the impact that Darius and Girėnas’ flight across the Atlantic Ocean in the “Lituanica” had on Lithuania.

Integrated subjects: history, geography, civic and social education, technology and physics, and Lithuanian language and literature.

• STEPONAS DARIUS: FROM THE FIRST STEPS TO THE SKY

For school-age students, families, and adults

The story of Steponas Darius is not just the story of a flight across the Atlantic. It is the story of a man whose life was shaped by migration, sports, military service, the emerging Lithuanian state, and the rapidly advancing field of aviation.

During this educational session, participants will explore the museum’s exhibits, historical photographs, documents, and other visual materials to learn about the most important stages of Steponas Darius’s life—his childhood in Lithuania, his emigration to the U.S., his athletic career, his service in World War I, his return to Lithuania, military aviation, and his preparations for the “Lituanica” flight. In hands-on activities, participants are invited to make their own decisions, analyze historical situations, collaborate, and justify their choices, thereby gaining a better understanding of how his environment and experiences shaped Steponas Darius’s personality and his decisions.

Integrated subjects: history, geography, civic and social education, technology and physics, Lithuanian language and literature.

• NEW! EXHIBITION “STEPONAS DARIUS: ATHLETE, SOLDIER, AND PILOT”

To mark the 130th anniversary of Steponas Darius’s birth, the Lithuanian Aviation Museum has launched the project “Steponas Darius: Athlete, Soldier, Pilot.”

The new exhibition reveals lesser-known aspects of the pilot’s life: it tells a compelling story about his family, athletic career, military service, public life, and personal stories. The exhibition complements the museum’s permanent collection and offers visitors the opportunity to discover S. Darius not only as the pilot of the legendary transatlantic flight, but also as a man of many talents and interests.

EXHIBITION TOUR – STEPONAS DARIUS

Suitable for all age groups

Steponas Darius—the pilot of the heroic flight across the Atlantic—but he was more than that. What lies behind one of the most prominent Lithuanian figures of the 20th century?

During the tour, participants will explore the exhibition at Steponas Darius’s birthplace and learn about the life journey of this extraordinary individual: his childhood in Samogitia, his emigration to the U.S., his battles on the battlefields of Europe, his contribution to the liberation of Klaipėda, the development of Lithuanian aviation and the sports movement, and his preparations for the legendary “Lituanica” flight. The guide’s narration will help reveal S. Darius not only as an aviation hero, but also as a versatile leader, visionary, and patriot of Lithuania.

Tours are conducted in Lithuanian, English, Russian, and German.

STEPONAS DARIUS

Suitable for all age groups

Steponas Darius was the pilot of the heroic flight across the Atlantic—but that’s not all. What lies behind one of the most prominent figures in 20th-century Lithuania?

During the tour, participants will explore an exhibition in Steponas Darius’s hometown and learn about the life journey of this extraordinary figure: his childhood in Samogitia, his emigration to the U.S., his battles on the battlefields of Europe, his contribution to the liberation of Klaipėda, the development of Lithuanian aviation and the sports movement, and his preparations for the legendary “Lituanica” flight. The guide’s narration will help reveal S. Darius not only as an aviation hero, but also as a versatile leader, visionary, and patriot of Lithuania.

Available in Lithuanian, English, Russian, and German.

Tour in Lithuanian: 20 EUR per group + admission tickets (5–30 people, 60–70 min)

Tour in English or Russian: 30 EUR per group + admission tickets (5–30 people, 60–70 min)

Where to Celebrate Something Different? The Lithuanian Aviation Museum Invites You to Unconventional Experiences

A birthday, company outing, bachelorette party, bachelor party, or get-together with friends doesn’t have to take place at a restaurant or a typical party venue. The Lithuanian Aviation Museum offers a different setting—one where history, learning, and entertainment come together.

Entertainment packages are available at the Lithuanian Aviation Museum in Kaunas and at the birthplace-museums of Steponas Darius and Stasys Girėnas in Samogitia. At the authentic pilots’ homesteads, the celebration also becomes a journey through time: visitors can expect stories about the history of Lithuanian aviation, traditional crafts, team challenges, activities from rural life of the past, and the chance to try for themselves what has now become history.

Bachelorette or Bachelor Party—at a Pilot’s Birthplace?

For those looking for an unusual venue for a bachelorette or bachelor party, a pilot’s birthplace can be an interesting alternative to the usual party setting.

At the Stasys Girėnas Birthplace Museum (Šilalė District), you can learn more about the pilot’s childhood, try out early 20th-century games and household chores, take a virtual flight in a paragliding simulator, or make a candle from natural soy wax. These activities are especially suited for those who want to spend a peaceful, creative, and cozy day with friends in an authentic rural setting.

A more active leisure experience awaits at the birthplace of Steponas Darius (Klaipėda District). Future newlyweds and their friends can try their hand at the craft of building Samogitian fences, start a fire, and learn other traditional life skills—skills that often pose a challenge for today’s city dwellers. The unique farmstead setting and fun team-building activities here can turn the celebration into a memorable experience for groups of friends or coworkers seeking the tranquility of nature and traditional folk entertainment.

The bride-to-be’s or groom-to-be’s trial can take place not only in the city center but also in the authentic hometowns of pilots—amidst old crafts, farm work, and stories about people whose dream of flying became an important part of Lithuanian aviation history.

An Unconventional Venue—for Other Occasions, Too

These entertainment packages aren’t just for bachelorette and bachelor parties. They’re perfect for birthdays, family celebrations, corporate events, team outings, and get-togethers with friends.

In the birthplaces of Steponas Darius and Stasys Girėnas, it’s not just the program that matters, but the setting itself. Here, you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city, experience old-fashioned rural life, try your hand at traditional crafts, and hear stories that have been passed down in these places for decades. These authentic farmsteads are easily accessible by car via the Kaunas–Klaipėda highway. You can stop by not only for a brief introduction to the pilots who crossed the Atlantic, but also for a fun outing in the garden of their birthplace, surrounded by the cozy beauty of nature. This is the perfect choice for those looking not just for another venue for a celebration, but for an experience worth remembering and sharing with others.