Neil Armstrong’s boyhood home purchased for historical preservation

A retired pilot, Ken Schreiber, has donated $400,000 to the Auglaize County Historical Society to purchase the boyhood home of astronaut Neil Armstrong. The two-story residence, located in Wapakoneta, Ohio, was put up for sale in August, and the donation ensures its preservation.

The historical society intends to restore the home to its appearance during Armstrong’s youth, a period when he conducted aeronautical experiments and built model planes. The goal is to open the house for public tours by 2030 to coincide with the centennial of Armstrong’s birth.

While the home has previously been a point of interest for visitors to the nearby Armstrong Air and Space Museum, it has never been open to the public. The society is currently researching restoration needs and coordinating with community leaders to secure additional funding for the renovation and long-term maintenance of the property.