Many of us having been staying close to home lately and exploring sites that are familiar to us. For many years, I’ve passed by a small local monument and never taken the time to stop. This past weekend, Dennis and I had an excellent dinner at Sorrento’s Ristorante, located at 2488 Parkman Road in Warren. After dinner, we decided to check out the small fenced in park across the street. This small park , the First Flight Lunar Module, recognizes Warren native Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon.
Visiting the First Flight Lunar Module
Background
The First Flight Lunar Module is located on the site of the former Warren Airways where six-year-old Neil Armstrong took his first flight in 1936. That first flight in a Ford Tri-Motor Airplane, affectionately known as a Tin Goose, sparking Armstrong’s lifelong love of flying. Thirty-three years later, on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong would become the first man to walk on the moon . People will always remember his famous words from that day, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
What to See
At the First Flight Lunar Module Site, you’ll find several copies of a portrait by Woodi Ismael. The portrait depicts six-year-old Neil Armstrong and his father in front of the Tin Goose on the day of Neil’s first flight.
In the center of the brick walkway, you’ll see half-scale Lunar Module sitting on the “surface” of the “moon,” complete with Armstrong’s footprints in the “moondust.” The replica of the Apollo 11 Lunar Landing Module is almost 13 feet tall and 12 feet wide. It does include all of the antennae, lights, and attachments that the original would have had. More than 3000 man hours went into the construction of the lunar landing module replica alone.
There are also replicas of two rockets that Neil Armstrong flew in space. The Apollo 11-Saturn V Rocket is 1/16 scale of its original 362 feet, and the Gemini 8–Titan II Rocket is 1/6 scale of its 109 feet. The Gemini 8–Titan II Rocket was used for Neil Armstrong’s docking practice in 1966.
The idea for this site was based on encouraging people to follow their dreams. Neil Armstrong had a dream to fly, and followed his dream all the way to the moon. What are your dreams? Will you pursue them as far as possible, doing everything you can to make them come true?
Know Before You Go
Hours
Officially, the hours are from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. However, we did visit later in the evening, and the gate was still open.
Directions
The First Flight Lunar Module has been located at 2553 Parkman Road NW in Warren, Ohio, since 2001. If you are traveling on the Ohio Turnpike, the closest exit is Exit 14 for Route 5. Travel east from the turnpike. From Ohio State Route 5 & 82, take the U.S. Route 422/Parkman Road exit. Drive southeast for approximately one mile. The spacecraft display will be on the right, just past the McDonald’s.
More to come
Before you enter the gate, you’ll see an Ohio Historical Marker for Ronald A. Parise, an astronaut and scientist who flew on the Space Shuttle in the 1990s. An addition to the park recognizing Parise is planned when funding becomes available.
Learning More about First Flight Lunar Module
Here’s a hint : There is a mailbox on the back of the white bench on the left side as you enter the park. Inside, you will find informational brochures. If I hadn’t walked outside the fence to take a picture, I would have missed this. If you are interested in learning more about the First Flight Lunar Module, check out their website or the Trumbull County Tourism Bureau.
Final Thoughts
While I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to visit the First Flight Lunar Module, if you are in the area, it is an interesting little stop. You won’t need more than ten minutes to walk around and read the plaques.
This is an excellent idea— we are only 40 minutes away and my husband is a huge space nerd! I may surprise him with a trip here soon.
What a cute little piece of history, I’ve always been fascinated with space travel. I think this really does inspire people to follow their dreams.
It’s always funny to me how many times we pass by a place and never even notice it is there, until one day somehow we suddenly pay attention and go check it out. Since we’ve had to stay at home for so long, I’ve found that happened quite a few times. Especially with tiny but awesome places like the First Flight Lunar Module Site. What a quick but awesome stop in your travels, even while sticking close to home.
space travel my wife is into star wars so i know a little about the galaxy. I can only imagine the scientists doing something no man had done and to design something that would go to the moon and back is mindboggling. I really felt like i was there through your writing and thanks for the lovely pictures and vivid details jerry godinho
What a fascinating place! Must have been great to check out the Lunar Module and the history about Neil Armstrong – didn’t know about his fascination with flying from such a young age!
We love to do things like this as a family. how exciting and I am sure that you had a fab time x
How cool is that a little piece of history as we finally get back up there again.
I cannot even think to fathome about be shot up to the moon in the Lunar Module. Then coming back home too! I really recommend the movie “First to the Moon.” It had a great story.
I’m from Ohio!! I had no idea that Neil Armstrong started his flying days that young and in OH non the less! My kids are obsessed with outer space, and this may not be a thrilling stop for me – I think this would lead to a lot of imaginative and inspired play for my lil’ ones!
It must be so much fun! I have always been interested but Space X start really pumped my interest
What a fabulous little place this is to stop by. A great way to pay tribute to a true pioneer while providing some education to people (particularly younger people) on the significance of what was achieved. I would love to check this out when next in the area.
This is a great article. It would be great to actually visit the Lunar Model. Thanks for sharing information that I wasn’t aware existed.
The recent Space X launch has created a resurgance in space travel not only for me but for so many other people. The original lunar module was built right here on Long Island in Bethpage by a company called Grumman. They were such a big deal back in the day. The genious men and women in the space program are unreal. I would love to check this out.