Wapakoneta, Ohio – The childhood home of legendary astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon, has been saved from private sale thanks to a generous $400,000 donation from former fighter pilot Ken Schreiber. The Auglaize County Historical Society has officially acquired the two-story residence located at 601 W. Benton St., with plans to restore and open it to the public.
A Childhood Dream Inspires a Generous Act
Ken Schreiber, who was nine years old when Armstrong made his historic moonwalk in 1969, was deeply inspired by the astronaut's achievements. Schreiber, a veteran of 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and a retired American Airlines pilot, learned in August that Armstrong’s boyhood home was for sale and that no one had stepped forward to preserve it. Driven by a desire to honor Armstrong's legacy and recalling his father's advice to “make a mark in life,” Schreiber decided to make the substantial donation.
“I just thought somebody has got to step up to the plate,” Schreiber stated, reflecting on his decision. After touring the house, he remarked, “It was almost like the ghost of Neil Armstrong was there. I could imagine him running up and down the stairs.”
The Home's Significance to Armstrong's Early Life
The house in Wapakoneta played a crucial role in Armstrong's formative years. It was here that he cultivated his passion for flight, building model planes in the dining room and even constructing a wind tunnel in the basement to test his designs. At the age of 16, Armstrong earned his pilot’s license and made his first solo flight, laying the groundwork for his future as an aviation pioneer.
While the home has long been a point of interest for visitors to the nearby Armstrong Air and Space Museum, it has never been accessible to the public. The historical society aims to change this, making it a key destination for those interested in the astronaut's life.
Future Plans for Restoration and Public Access
The Auglaize County Historical Society is now embarking on an ambitious restoration project. Their goal is to return the house to its 1940s appearance, reflecting the period when Armstrong lived there. Research into the home's historical look has already begun, and the society is engaging with community leaders to raise additional funds necessary for the extensive renovation and ongoing maintenance.
Gerald Siesel, president of the historical society, acknowledged the scale of the undertaking, stating, “Even now when this opportunity came our way, we realized we can’t do it ourselves.” The hope is to open the home for public tours by 2030, which would mark the 100th anniversary of Neil Armstrong's birth.
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin's Emotional Visit
Karen Mikesell, who owned the house since 1988 and hosted nine astronauts over the years, shared a poignant memory of Buzz Aldrin’s visit after Armstrong’s death in 2012. Mikesell recalled that when Aldrin visited Armstrong’s old bedroom, “the tears just streamed down his cheeks,” a testament to the deep personal connections and historical significance of the home.