Ohio officials hope to keep Armstrong museum open

May 2, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

DAYTON (AP) — Concerned that the museum named after native son Neil Armstrong might close in the face of state budget cuts, Wapakoneta-area officials have joined forces in hopes of taking over day-to-day operations of the facility.

The Ohio Historical Society is trying to get local groups to assume daily operations of the Armstrong Air & Space Museum and 16 other historic sites to save money. Gov. Ted Strickland has proposed $5.4 million for the society’s sites and museums operations budget next year, down from this year’s $7.2 million.

The Armstrong museum, located in the western Ohio city where the astronaut grew up, opened in 1972. It includes a moon rock, Apollo 11 artifacts, space suits and a Gemini spacecraft flown by Armstrong three years before he became the first man to walk on the moon, in 1969.

The historical society has promised to keep the Armstrong museum open at least through July 20, the 40th anniversary of Armstrong’s historic moonwalk. But if it can’t find a group to operate it after that, the museum may have to close, at least temporarily.

Tom Crouch, senior curator of aeronautics at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum, said he is concerned about the future of the Armstrong museum, located about 75 miles northwest of Columbus.

“To find a little gem of the quality of that museum in a little town like Wapakoneta is unique,” Crouch said.

The museum’s former manager, John Zwez, is part of a new group that includes the Wapakoneta Area Economic Development Council, the mayor’s office, the chamber of commerce, the county historical society and concerned citizens. The group is scheduled to meet with state historical society representatives next week to discuss taking over operations.

Greg Myers, executive director of the development council, said he is confident an agreement will be reached that will keep the museum open.

“I think this is going to work out OK,” Myers said. “We know how important a component to our local history it is.”

Under the proposed partnership, the state society would still provide an operating subsidy, manage the museum collection and pay for major capital projects.