|
Thursday, 30 April 2009 |
By MATT NICHOLS
Staff Writer
After facing grim news for nearly a year, a bit of light now flickers at the end of the tunnel for one of Wapakoneta’s most storied landmarks.
The Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum may have a future beyond the summer months as some residents have expressed interest in creating a partnership with the Ohio Historical Society to maintain the site.
On May 8, Ohio Historical Society (OHS) administrators are to meet with residents to discuss the specifics in saving and maintaining the museum.
Wapakoneta Area Economic Development Council (WAEDC) Executive Director Greg Myers and former Neil Arm-strong Air & Space Museum Director John Zwez are working with the area residents to save the site built in 1972, three years after the historic walk on the moon on July 20, 1969.
Myers said the museum’s storied history was enough for him to help spearhead the talks.
“The museum is an important asset for Wapakoneta, the state and the nation,” Myers said. “Few museum sites are devoted solely to the space program, and not only does the museum commemorate Armstrong and the moon landing, but it commemorates other Ohioans and American astronauts. It’s a wonderful collection.”
Myers said the potential partnership group includes residents who are a “cross section of folks from Wapakoneta” and who have a specific interest in the museum and its future.
Myers also is the president of Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums as well as an ex-officio member of the OHS. The multiple titles helped Myers leverage interest from both parties involved in the talks, and Myers said he is optimistic the first meeting will yield positive results in moving forward.
“I think there is a great amount of interest in the community to save the museum,” Myers said, “and the museum is a high profile site for the Historical Society.”
OHS Facilities Management Director George Kane said the potential partnership would include the management partner maintaining the day-to-day operations of the museum, but the Historical Society would still be in charge of the property and the collections and exhibits.
Kane said the meeting is only a preliminary attempt to discuss the museum’s future, saying the society will look close at all of its sites to decide what facilities are worth saving.
“We’re going to look at the operation of each site to see how their expenses look compared to income over the next months to see if it’s financially feasible,” Kane said. “Ultimately, we may be faced with closing down some facilities.”
Due to 10 percent across-the-board state budget cuts imposed by Gov. Ted Strickland for fiscal year 2009, the Historical Society is facing a $736,000 operating deficit. Nearly 60 percent of the society’s $20 million in funding is received by the state.
In March, OHS Executive Director and CEO William Laidlaw announced if 18 OHS sites could not find a management partner by June 30, they could face closure. The Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum was among the 18 sites.
Kane said Wednesday that the OHS is working with the state Legislature to obtain additional funds to push that June 30 deadline back.
Regardless of the Legislature’s decision, Kane said the historical society is still committed to keeping the museum open until at least July 20 for the 40th anniversary celebration of Armstrong’s and the Apollo 11 moon landing.
|
|
Last Updated ( Friday, 01 May 2009 )
|
