Ken Schreiber, a retired military and commercial pilot, has played a pivotal role in securing the future of astronaut Neil Armstrong’s boyhood home in Wapakoneta, Ohio. The two-story house, where Armstrong spent his teenage years and conducted early aeronautical experiments, was put up for sale in August for the first time in nearly four decades.

Schreiber, who served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force before retiring as an American Airlines pilot, made a personal donation of $400,000 to assist the Auglaize County Historical Society in purchasing the property. The sale is expected to be finalized this coming Monday.

The historical society plans to restore the home to its appearance during the 1940s, the era when Armstrong built model airplanes in the dining room and even tested them in a wind tunnel he constructed in the basement. Gerald Siesel, president of the historical society, said the house will be prepared for public tours by 2030, marking the centennial of Armstrong’s birth.

While the Armstrong Air and Space Museum nearby attracts visitors interested in the astronaut’s legacy, Armstrong’s childhood home has never previously been open to the public. Now, the historical society has begun researching the house’s original features and consulting with local leaders to raise funds for renovation and ongoing maintenance. Siesel acknowledged that the organization could not have acquired the property without Schreiber’s significant contribution.

Armstrong’s family had moved frequently during his early years, but the home at 601 W. Benton St. became a key location during his adolescence. It was where he made his first solo flight and earned his pilot’s license at age 16. The house’s interior maintains much of its original layout, with Armstrong’s former bedroom currently adorned with photos and memorabilia related to the moon landing and autographed pictures of visiting astronauts.

Prior to the sale, the home was owned by Karen Mikesell, a retired history teacher who purchased it in 1988. Mikesell is one of only a few owners since Armstrong’s parents resided there in the 1960s. During her tenure, she hosted several astronauts, including Buzz Aldrin, Armstrong’s Apollo 11 crewmate. Mikesell recalled Aldrin visiting the home a few years after Armstrong’s death in 2012 and becoming emotional. She expressed a strong desire to preserve the house’s historical significance and maintain its connection to the Armstrong family.

Initially, Schreiber sought financial support from friends to assist the historical society but ultimately decided to cover the cost himself. He described his motivation as a sense of duty, recalling advice from his father to “make a mark in life.” Schreiber’s effort ensures that the home where one of history’s most celebrated figures took his first steps in aviation will remain a lasting tribute for future generations.