AV 203 Neil A. Armstrong Homecomings Collection

              AV 203
Neil A. Armstrong Homecomings Collection
Page 1
OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Manuscripts/Audiovisual Collections
AV 203
Neil A. Armstrong Homecomings Collection
1966-1972
OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION
Number:
AV 203
Title:
Neil Armstrong Homecomings Collection
Creator:
Donald Wittwer
Dates:
1966 - 1972
Media:
Motion picture film, 35mm slides, audio recording and ephemera
Quantity:
1.5 cubic feet
Location:
Ohio Historical Center
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE COLLECTION
Civilian astronaut Neil A. Armstrong is a native of Wapakoneta, Ohio. After the Gemini 8 mission in1966 and the Apollo 11 mission in 1969 events were held in Wapakoneta to welcome Armstrong and celebrate his achievements. There was also a dedication ceremony in October 1967 for the Neil Armstrong Airport in Auglaize County. In 1972 Armstrong participated in ceremonies to dedicate the Armstrong Air & Space Museum that opened in Wapakoneta. Donor Donald Wittwer, a former mayor of Wapakoneta, assisted to plan and execute these events.
SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE COLLECTION
The collection is comprised of 35mm slides and ephemera documenting the planning and execution of welcome home celebrations in Wapakoneta, Ohio, for astronaut Neil Armstrong. Additionally, there are slides with images of the dedication ceremony for the Armstrong Air & Space Museum. One black and white motion picture film with sound and silent segments documents the events of Neil Armstrong Day in Wapakoneta, including a news conference and parade. Three color films produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) document Armstrong’s activities and missions as a civilian astronaut. The NASA films are titled “Neil Armstrong Astronaut,” “Gemini VIII,” and “Apollo 11 Launch Mission Report.” An access copy of the films on DVD is housed in Box 2 and available for viewing. The collection also contains an audio tape with recordings related to Armstrong’s 1969 homecoming. Labels on the audio tape reel describe the content as: "Telephone Conversation with NASA & D.