“The Giant Leap” with Dr. Tom Crouch

The 2019 Celebration Committee will present “The Giant Leap” with Dr. Tom Crouch on Thursday, May 30, 7:30 pm, at the Armstrong Air & Space Museum, Apollo Drive, Wapakoneta. Presented in cooperation with the Auglaize County Educational Service Center and the Armstrong Air & Space Museum, the event is free and open to the public.

During his image-filled presentation, Dr. Crouch will discuss the almost two centuries of flight in Ohio, from the first balloonists in the state through the Wrights and Ohio’s contributions to flight to date.

Rachel Barber, co-chair of the 2019 Celebration Committee, states, “We are so pleased that the public will have the opportunity to hear Dr. Crouch. He is an extraordinary presenter and was instrumental in the development of the Armstrong Museum.” Dr. Crouch will also be visiting Wapakoneta to present at an Apollo 11-focused program for local educators, organized by the Auglaize County Educational Service Center and funded by the Ohio Humanities Council.

Tom Crouch is senior curator, Aeronautics Department, National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC. A Smithsonian employee since 1974, he has served both the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of American History in a variety of curatorial and administrative posts. He was previously employed by the Ohio Historical Society as director of education (1969-1973). Crouch was instrumental in the design of the exhibits at the Armstrong Air & Space Museum. director, Ohio American Revolution Bicentennial Advisory Commission (1973-1974). Crouch holds a BA (1962) from Ohio University, an MA (1968) from Miami University and a PhD (1976) from the Ohio State University. All of his degrees are in history.  In addition, he holds the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, conferred in June 2001 by the Wright State University.

Since 1972 the Ohio Humanities Council, state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, has provided, leadership, resources, and financial support for the humanities in Ohio. Humanities programs take various forms, such as book discussion, public lectures, historical portrayals, touring exhibits, radio series, and forums. The Council produces and supports programs in every region of the state. For more information visit ohiohumanities.org.

The 2019 Committee’s mission is to develop and implement public programs, events, and legacy efforts that reflect the many themes associated with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon walk, and to ensure that Wapakoneta and Auglaize County are at the forefront of this worldwide commemoration.

For more information about this or other anniversary events, please visit firstonthemoon.org or the First on the Moon Facebook page, or contact Barber, wallpaperproject@bright.net.