WBGU-TV has been selected as one of 15 PBS stations nationwide to receive a $10,000 grant from WGBH’s
“American Experience” for special programming in commemoration of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the
first successful manned moon landing.
WBGU-TV is creating a documentary celebrating the early life of the first man on the moon and Wapakoneta,
Ohio, native Neil Armstrong.
The documentary will include interviews with those who knew Armstrong and how his accomplishment had such
a lasting effect on Northwest Ohio. It will feature Wapakoneta and various locales that figured
prominently in Armstrong’s formative years. Plans are to premiere the documentary during Wapakoneta’s
“First on the Moon” celebration in July.
It then will air on WBGU-TV and be available for viewing online. “American Experience” is planning a
six-hour, three-part documentary about the politics and culture of the space age and the journey that
led to the moon landing. It will air on PBS throughout the summer.
“We are proud and excited to showcase Armstrong,” said WBGU-TV co-General Manager Anthony Short. “When
you stop and think about it, it’s amazing that the first man on the moon grew up in our viewing area. It
was such a monumental time in our history and he was such an interesting (and humble) person.”
“We were thrilled to receive the grant and are hopeful that others will support this project,” said
WBGU-TV co-General Manager Tina Simon. “It’s been 50 years now since the moon landing and it’s important
that we’re able to talk with people who were in Wapakoneta when it happened and let them share their
experiences, before time makes that impossible.”
Along with the grant, WBGU-TV will be seeking additional sponsors and funding sources in support of the
documentary. The station will be hosting a 5K fun run/walk April 6 with proceeds benefiting the project.
The WBGU-TV “Great American Run: Ruby’s Race for Space” will begin at 9 a.m. at the Jerome Library on
the Bowling Green State University campus and follow an easy course around the university. To register
or for more details, visit davesrunning.com or wbgu.org
For airdates of the documentary, visit the station’s online program schedule at wbgu.org
WBGU-TV is a PBS affiliate and partner of BGSU serving a 19-county region with award-winning programming
and educational resources. For more information, visit www.wbgu.org.
“American Experience” is in its 30th season. Its programs feature the incredible characters and epic
stories that have shaped America’s past and present. It is television’s most-watched history series and
has been honored with every major broadcast award. It typically airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m.