Where in Ohio is Janice?: October 2008

Armstrong Air & Space Museum
Wapakoneta, Ohio

Where were you July 20, 1969? If you are old enough to remember this date then you were probably glued to the television fantasizing about walking on the moon yourself. If this is before you were born you may take the act of walking on the moon as something not that amazing. This museum shows the awe the world felt when Neil Armstrong placed his left foot on the surface of the moon.

Neil Armstrong was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio and the museum details his story alongside the history of man’s advent into space. Armstrong was one of the first civilian astronauts in the US space program and was the commander of Apollo 11 – the mission that put the first man on the moon.

Joining me on this trip was a family with a six-year-old and a two-year-old.

The six-year-old has an interest in space and stars so the museum was fascinating for him.

He loved the hands on opportunities and listened to his father explain how the astronauts did their jobs. The two-year-old had a shorter attention span, but she enjoyed the hands-on displays and loved walking around the museum.

The first part of the museum consists of displays on the early days of the space program. On exhibit are spacecraft, tools and even food that was developed. In addition to the equipment and scientific achievements are photos and brief bios of the astronauts during this time.

At the end of this section of the museum, there is a tunnel that leads into the theater. There is a chance to rest in comfortable theater seats where a multi-media presentation is shown every half-hour.

The movie we saw was of the original Apollo 11 moon landing and its impact.

Upon exiting the theater there is more museum, but this shows more recent accomplishments with the space shuttle and space stations.

There is another display of the food astronauts take with them now – including Pepsi and Coke! Can the children compare the food of the early astronauts to the food now used? Which would they rather eat?

The museum contains models of spacecraft, some of which children can go in and play at being the astronaut on a mission. There is an actual Gemini space capsule flown by Neil Armstrong on display.

The children enjoyed working spacecraft controls and using the tools in the displays. Use the weight machine and compare your earth weight to what you weigh on the moon.

The 6-year-old found his earth weight of 50 pounds would be 8 on the Moon and 20 on Mars.

The museum does a fine job of showing the history of the space program and showing how Ohio contributed. Most people know how Florida, Alabama and Texas are important to the space program, but several astronauts and technology research has been from Ohio.

This museum will be interesting to anyone of school age and up. Even the toddler that went with me enjoyed herself. Maybe this will be the stimulus that gets her interested in becoming the first woman to walk on the moon?

Upcoming Exhibits and Events –
Please check the OHS calendar at http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/calendar/

Age Appropriateness –
Young Children –medium-low
School Age Children –medium-high

Teens – high
Adults – high
Senior Friendly – high

Physical vs. Mental –
This is a museum that will excite your thinking on space travel.

Time to Allow for Visit –
Allow an hour to tour the museum and an additional 20 minutes for the multi-media presentation in the theater.

Additional Information –
Gift Shop – There is an extensive gift shop with toys and several books of space interest.
Food – no

Picnic – There are a few picnic tables scattered outside the museum.
Multilingual – no

Approximate Travel Times –
Cincinnati – 1 ¾ hours
Cleveland – 3 hours
Columbus – 1 ½ hours

Handicapped Accessibility –
The museum is completely accessible.

Volunteer Opportunities –
If interested please contact R. Macwhinney at 1-800- 860-0142.